Mespelbrunn Wasser Schloss

We never did make it to the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany mainly because it was way off the beaten track.  We debated and in the end, my step mother suggested a smaller, but very beautiful “wasser schloss” or water castle in Mespelbrunn that was merely an hour away by car.  Mespelbrunn is a medieval castel surrounded by a water moat and is gorgeous – and if you can believe it still occupied by descendants of the original family who first built it in 1412.

Ron and Me at Mespelbrunn

The fees paid to tour the castle fund the upkeep and maintenance of the compound which must be astromomical and of course, the wing that is occupied is not accessible to the public.  What is so cool about this small castle is that many of the original furnishings are still in the residence including weaponry, living, dining, bedroom, chapel and game room furnishings and accessories.  It really is incredibly picturesque – I can’t begin to do the place justice.

On the grounds of Mespelbrunn

Meanwhile, I didn’t get into the studio yesterday and made a trip to the mall instead.  It seemed like a good place to stay cool and I actually needed something there that I haven’t seemed to find anywhere else.  Today is the day, however, that I intend to make some new work.  I dreamt about clay last night and need to work in the garagio in the morning before the day gets too hot.

Looking out from the interior courtyard of the castle

With that, I’m keeping this post short today-

Cynthia

Mespelbrunn Cafe - the day would not have been complete without kaffee und kuchen eaten alfresco

Jasmine and me standing under an allee of trees in the gardens of the Residenz in Wurzburg

I’ve been a little overwhelmed with editing photos and trying to write a compact synopsis of our European vacation to share with anyone who happens to read my blog.  We saw so much – it was like a whirlwind of culture and I cannot possibly begin to do our trip justice.  So, I decided to break it up and share a little at a time.

1/2 of our trip was spent in Germany and was more of a reunion with my step-mother and sisters and their families accompanied by leisurely site seeing trips in and around Bravaria.  My step mother lives in a little town outside of Wurzburg, which served as our base during our tenure in Germany.  One of the places we visited was the Baroque “Residenz” Palace which was the seat of the Prince Bishop of Wurzburg.  It was an amazing palace which was heavily damaged in World War II – now restored.  Interesting to see the before and after photos of the restoration.

As a future landscape architect, I took a keen interest in the gardens of the palace – trying hard to remember the terms and features of the garden from my landscape history class.

The interior of the palace featured frescoes including this painted ceiling by Tiepolo

Nearly every room in the Residenz featured elaborate finishes and frescoes painted by Italian artist, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.  Can you imagine waking up to this every day?

In the gardens of the Residenz in Wurzburg looking towards the Festung Marienburg

The same day that we visited the Residenz, we had intended to make it to the Festung Marienburg which overlooks the city of Wurzburg, but were sidetracked.  By what you ask?  The wonderful tradition of “kaffee und kuchen” mid-afternoon.  Luckily I kept up my running schedule in Germany and we walked our buns off in Paris, otherwise I would have gained more than the 2 lbs that I carried back with me. 

Meanwhile, today really marks the end of vacation.  My husband returned to work and to be a good sport, I got up at the same time so that he wouldn’t feel quite so bad.  I have cleaned my studio since my return, but not much else has happened in the way of clay.  Hopefully today….

Speaking of running, I must sign off and head out before it gets too hot -

Cynthia