Andelsbuch and Schwarzenberg

Wednesday, the 2nd of September, was one of the few times we used the car during our stay in Bizau.

 Kanisfluh from our room, just after 7:00 am

None of what we did that day was a repeat from 2023.

We had read about the "werkraum" in Andelsbuch in a magazine in our hotel room, and since we are interested in architecture as well as in craftmanship and design, we wanted to see this rather unusual place.

It only takes about 15 minutes by car to reach it. Werkraum literally means work room in German, and here in Andelsbuch, it is the name of both the building and the association of craftsmen and -women in the area who take pride in their work. Many of them work with wood as joiners and carpenters, but there are also painters, designers and makers of furniture, textiles (clothes as well as other items), crockery, lamps and much more. Part of werkraum is a school for apprentices in those crafts, and another important feature of werkraum is a festival plus contest called "Handwerk + Form" held regularly in and around Andelsbuch, showcasing contemporary design and craftmanship from the Bregenzerwald.

When we arrived there just after they'd opened for the day, we were told that we could join a guided tour which would also allow us a glimpse in the building's cellar, where many prized objects from past festivals were stored, normally not accessible to visitors. Of course we joined that tour, which was really very interesting. We also had the opportunity to check out their shop (of course!) and the current exhibition, and had a refreshing cold drink before we left.

After another short drive, Schwarzenberg was our next stop. 

Schwarzenberg

I had found a tour described as "easy" around Schwarzenberg in the booklet in our room, and although the tour was short enough at a mere 7.5 km, it took us about 2 hours and was anything but easy! 

It was a long uphill slog from the village through woods to St. Ilga's spring and chapel, and another hour easier to walk back to the village. 

A whole meadow of autumn crocus!

St. Ilga's Spring (which was dry)...

...and her chapel, which was open.

St. Ilga, painted by a local woman

Back in Schwarzenberg

We enjoyed the walk in spite of my puffing and panting on the uphill part (I must admit I was dressed a little too warm for the weather) and had a good rest at the hotel before dinner.

At 7:00 pm on our balcony

Afterwards, of course we went for another sunset walk of about an hour around the village, seeing many cats and taking in the beautiful evening light. My husband took this photo looking west just before we went back inside: