Category Archives: Churches and religion

Not your Grandma’s Religion

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

One of my blog readers recently had a “culture shock” moment. He’s a nurse, and he was filling out a patient questionnaire with a German woman. When he asked her religion, she became upset. What went wrong? Religion and society … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches and religion, Daily life, Folk traditions, Public art | 4 Comments

Reminiscent Only of Itself

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

If this blog seems cathedral-heavy, that’s because I love cathedrals. Stunningly beautiful even in our day, cathedrals represented heroic effort and almost miraculous achievement in their day. Each one is unique. They’re not just buildings; they’re audacity and imagination in … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches and religion, German art, German history, Public art, Tourist destinations | Leave a comment

The Pillar of Angels

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

The most beautiful sight in the Strasbourg Cathedral is a tall, slender pillar surrounded by graceful statues. It seems impossible that such a delicate structure could hold up a cathedral roof, but this pillar, called the Pillar of Angels or … Continue reading →

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Inside Strasbourg Cathedral

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

Cathedrals look like rooms. But they act like cities. Take the Strasbourg Cathedral, for instance. I walk inside the door, and I say to myself, “This is nothing but a very large room. It has the same thing cathedrals always … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches and religion, France, Tourist destinations | 2 Comments

A Prodigy of Grandeur and Delicacy

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

Did I say we would be going inside the Strasbourg Cathedral on Friday? I lied. It’s Monday, and we’re still lingering on the steps. But I can’t help it. The facade of this cathedral is one of the most beautiful … Continue reading →

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The Capitol of Christmas

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

The doom and gloom of November is behind us now, and Advent season has arrived. All over the continent, thousands of Christmas markets are setting up: tiny ones in small villages and enormous ones in the great cities of Europe. … Continue reading →

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11-11-11 (at 11:11 o’clock)

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

St. Martin’s Day (Martintag), November 11, kicks off the beginning of German carnival season, called Fasching, Fastnacht, Fastelabend, or Karneval, depending on where you live. But as soon as it’s begun, Fasching vanishes, only to reappear after Christmas. Why the … Continue reading →

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The Month of the Dead

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

In Germany, November is the month of the dead, a special time to remember lost loved ones. German Catholics set aside the first two days for this purpose: Allerheiligen, the Feast of All Saints, and Allerseelen, the Feast of All … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches and religion, Daily life, Festivals, Folk traditions, Gardening, Holidays | 4 Comments

Wood, Water, Stone

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

With Halloween almost upon us, Joe and I set out into the woods this weekend to hunt for remnants of Celtic Germany. Southwest of Kindsbach, we found the Heidenfelsen (Pagan Rocks): two enormous boulders carved with cryptic figures that rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches and religion, Folk traditions, German history, Tourist destinations | 2 Comments

Art from life

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

I took this photo from my hotel balcony last weekend on the evening of our arrival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. We stayed at Hotel Schatten on the Partenkirchen side, and I heartily recommend it. The church you see is Pfarrkirche Maria Himmelfahrt, … Continue reading →

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