Deutsche Märchenstraße - The German Fairy Tale Route
|
Wednesday 30th August
This morning we visited the Brothers Grimm house and museum in Steinau an dear Strasse. The family lived in this house from 1791 to 1798 but Jacob and Wilhelm were born in Hanau. The museum's ground floor has interesting and well presented information about the family whilst upstairs the hands on displays are more directed to children and the folk (fairy) stories that the brothers collected. After a pleasant drive through the undulating countryside of the Vogelsburg, we reached Alsfeld, a former walled city which today is characterised by its many well-preserved half-timbered buildings. The town hall and surrounding buildings on the Markt platz are particularly photogenic, while a stroll through the narrow streets and alleyways still contain many houses dating back to the late Middle Ages. A wonderful setting for an overnight stop
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday 31st August
A dull and overcast day, such a change from the hot and humid weather we have experienced for most of this trip.
In the morning we visited Friedrichstein Castle at Bad Wildunger. Although historically inaccurate it is believed that a daughter of Count Phillipp who was born in the castle and died young was the inspiration for Snow White. Hann Munden, situated at the confluence of the Werra and Fulda rivers which join here to become the Weser, is a beautiful old town with over 700 half-timbered buildings. It was home to the legendary Doctor Eisenbart who spent his life here. A corillion on the elaborate renaissance Town Hall celebrates him.
A dull and overcast day, such a change from the hot and humid weather we have experienced for most of this trip.
In the morning we visited Friedrichstein Castle at Bad Wildunger. Although historically inaccurate it is believed that a daughter of Count Phillipp who was born in the castle and died young was the inspiration for Snow White. Hann Munden, situated at the confluence of the Werra and Fulda rivers which join here to become the Weser, is a beautiful old town with over 700 half-timbered buildings. It was home to the legendary Doctor Eisenbart who spent his life here. A corillion on the elaborate renaissance Town Hall celebrates him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friday 1st September
Appropriately we awoke to a misty moisty morning. It was cool and damp and the fog lingered over the river Weser. Today was to be a day of fairytales and tall stories.
Sababurg Castle is known as the Sleeping Beauty Castle. A short walk through the grounds and ruined great hall is illustrated with cutout metal figures telling the story.
Appropriately we awoke to a misty moisty morning. It was cool and damp and the fog lingered over the river Weser. Today was to be a day of fairytales and tall stories.
Sababurg Castle is known as the Sleeping Beauty Castle. A short walk through the grounds and ruined great hall is illustrated with cutout metal figures telling the story.
|
|
At Trendelburg Castle it is the turn of Rapunzel whose long hair hangs from a tall tower.
|
|
|
Whilst we were there two members of the Hanover Rats Motorcycle Club thundered into the car park on their monstrous machines.
They took off their helmets and jackets. The lady was mature and diminutive, with long greying blonde hair plaited down her back, almost as long as Rapunzel's. The man was elderly and walked with a stick. The poor old fellow could hardly walk! John went over to study their bikes.
Hers had a 1200cc engine but was dwarfed by the man's mighty motorbike. The engine in it was bigger than that in our three and a half ton motorhome!
They took off their helmets and jackets. The lady was mature and diminutive, with long greying blonde hair plaited down her back, almost as long as Rapunzel's. The man was elderly and walked with a stick. The poor old fellow could hardly walk! John went over to study their bikes.
Hers had a 1200cc engine but was dwarfed by the man's mighty motorbike. The engine in it was bigger than that in our three and a half ton motorhome!
Bodenwerder was the birthplace of Hieronymus Carl Frederich Freiherr von Munchhausen. The house he was born in still stands and is now the town hall. Baron von Munchhausen was an adventurer who spent many years at the court of the Russian Tsar.
However, he is much better known as the teller of "tall" stories. The town of Bodenwerder has a museum dedicated to him and throughout the small town are many statues depicting these stories with the theme even extending to the children's play park.
Our overnight halt was on the banks of the fast flowing River Weser.
However, he is much better known as the teller of "tall" stories. The town of Bodenwerder has a museum dedicated to him and throughout the small town are many statues depicting these stories with the theme even extending to the children's play park.
Our overnight halt was on the banks of the fast flowing River Weser.
|
|
|
|
Saturday 2nd September
A short drive brought us to Hameln of Pied Piper fame. The old town centre contains some fine examples of Weser Renaissance embellishments to the gables of many of the houses. The town trail is indicated by "rat" signs set into the cobbled pavement. We listened to and watched the corillion and Pied Piper clockwork figures tell the legend that has captivated so many.
The Red Cross were feeding the poor old folk of Hameln so we joined the queue and gave them a generous donation for sausage, soup and bread, followed by tea and cake!
A short drive brought us to Hameln of Pied Piper fame. The old town centre contains some fine examples of Weser Renaissance embellishments to the gables of many of the houses. The town trail is indicated by "rat" signs set into the cobbled pavement. We listened to and watched the corillion and Pied Piper clockwork figures tell the legend that has captivated so many.
The Red Cross were feeding the poor old folk of Hameln so we joined the queue and gave them a generous donation for sausage, soup and bread, followed by tea and cake!
|
|
|
|
Sunday 3rd September
A cycle race was taking place this morning and our overnight stellplatz appeared to be sealed off! Eventually a policeman directed us across the cyclists' route and we were able to join the road to Hanover.
We spent an enjoyable few hours exploring the beautiful Herrenhausen gardens.. The gardens were developed in the 17th century and consist of four very different types of garden, the most famous being the Grosser garden which was originally created in 1666. This is a formal garden, made up of different smaller areas, many of which are adorned with statues. At one end a powerful fountain sends a jet of water sixty plus metres into the air, while a bell fountain dominates the central floral areas.
The garden was developed by Princess Sophia, grand-daugher of the Stuart King James I. It was her son George who inherited the English crown and became the first Hannoverian King of England.
After Hannover we drove a short distance to Celle, our overnight stop.
A cycle race was taking place this morning and our overnight stellplatz appeared to be sealed off! Eventually a policeman directed us across the cyclists' route and we were able to join the road to Hanover.
We spent an enjoyable few hours exploring the beautiful Herrenhausen gardens.. The gardens were developed in the 17th century and consist of four very different types of garden, the most famous being the Grosser garden which was originally created in 1666. This is a formal garden, made up of different smaller areas, many of which are adorned with statues. At one end a powerful fountain sends a jet of water sixty plus metres into the air, while a bell fountain dominates the central floral areas.
The garden was developed by Princess Sophia, grand-daugher of the Stuart King James I. It was her son George who inherited the English crown and became the first Hannoverian King of England.
After Hannover we drove a short distance to Celle, our overnight stop.
|
|
|
|
From Hanover, the Deutsche Märchenstraße continues to Bremen (of the Musicians of Bremen fame) and then onto Bremerhaven. We left the route and headed towards the Lüneburger Heide and then to the Netherlands to visit our friend Rolien for a few days before heading home.
[click] to continue on our journey
[click] to return to Home page
[click] to continue on our journey
[click] to return to Home page