On the path from the castle to the top of the hill:
The church at the top of the hill:
I took the angel-picture especially for you, Mum:
A view of the church from the other side, and a close-up of the rather unusual stone cupola on top of the bell tower:
There has been a place of worship here for many centuries. The first mention of a (wooden) church is from 1424. The first stone building was erected in 1488, but became too small for the many pilgrims, and a larger church was built. The church underwent many alterations over the centuries, but much as we see today is from the late 17th century.
Originally, the tower was of wood. It burned down completely after ligthning struck in 1774, and a new one of stone was erected in its place.
On the way back down:
It really was a great way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon in October, and I think I would like to come back here in spring, when the landscape assumes a different character with trees in bloom and birdsong everywhere.
What beautiful pictures! Thank you for the angel, he looks a bit scared? What did he see then? ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Mutti. I guess I shocked the angel a bit with the flash of my camera, and he is probably not used to people zooming in on him like a paparazzo :-)
DeleteOh, these photos are so wonderful! I can almost imagine I was there! Such a glorious afternoon in autumn it must have been!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristi! I always hope my photos convey at least some of the atmosphere of a place, and it seems like I have managed it with this post.
DeleteHoe gorgeous was the weather that day and your photographs are quite splendid Meike. I particularly liked the photo of the crow in the tree against the valley below.
ReplyDeleteIt truly was a gorgeous day, Neil. The crow I simply HAD to capture on camera - I'd been trying before to get a picture of three buzzards circling above the valley while we were walking up, but didn't manage, they were too far away.
DeleteThat church interior looks Baroque? Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteIt is very Baroque, Frances, most of it was done in the late 17th and early 18th century.
DeleteI always like the walks best which have hills in them.I have also noticed to my surprise that it's never as tiresome as it seems to get up even the highest hills (not being a very energetic person) and the rewards are really worth the effort. I love the church pictures, that balcony seems to float. Amazing what grandeur there is in a little town church.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the hills; I think the "secret" is to find one's own pace - which is not necessarily the same as that of whoever is with us on a walk. If I try to walk slower than my natural pace, it tires me just as much as if I do the opposite.
DeleteThe church is quite far away from the next village or town; it is a pilgrims' church where a long time ago a hermit used to live next to a statue of Mary which was supposed to have healing powers.
just beautiful - love seeing your country :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Fiona!
DeleteWow, these views are really stunning. The parachute and the bird in the tree stand out for me though because they're very "artistic" kind of captures :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Monica! The surrounding hills are popular with gliders etc., so there was nearly always someone in the sky nearby, with this bright red one being the most striking.
DeleteI'm not sure whether it's the colours or the composition or the subjects that make those photos such a superb collection. Actually the more I look at them I realise it's a combination of all three. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Graham! It was a superb day, and I am glad my pictures manage to show that.
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