Category Archives: German history

The New St. Vith

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

I’ve always loved the high rounded hills and wide valleys near Spangdahlem Air Base. They’re colorful even in the middle of winter. This is the Eifel, a land of strong winds, big sky, and beautiful scenery. Thousands of years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in Belgium, Food and drink, German history, Tourist destinations | Leave a comment

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

What Happened to Two Minutes of Silence?

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

Foreigners find it almost shocking that Germans dance in the streets on Veteran’s Day. It’s the anniversary of the end of World War I. How can that possibly call for a celebration? First of all, Germans certainly honor their veterans. … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals, Folk traditions, German history, Holidays | 4 Comments

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 →

Posted in Churches and religion, Festivals, Folk traditions, Food and drink, German history, Holidays | Leave a comment

The Passing of a People

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

At the end of October, nature is preoccupied with death. Leaves fall, plants decay, and even we modern humans feel a shiver pass down our spines and race out to purchase plastic skulls and polyester costumes–which, sadly, will last long … Continue reading →

Posted in Folk traditions, German history, Rural scenery | Leave a comment

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

Die Kelten are the Celts. Southern Germany belonged to wealthy Celtic tribes during the centuries before the Roman invasion. The Germanic tribes drove the Celts out of this region during the Great Migration.

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle | Leave a comment

Tim-berrrr!

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

On a foggy evening this week, Joe and I visited Bernkastel-Kues on the Mosel River, and I took the above photo of the St. Michaelsbrunnen, or St. Michael’s Fountain, in the middle of the old town square. How old is … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and drink, German history, German house decoration, Tourist destinations | Leave a comment

The Friedrich Kellner Diaries: “From the Darkness into the Light of a Better Future”

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

Friedrich Kellner, shown above in his World War I uniform, was a young man when Germany became a democracy, and he had high hopes that his nation would become a place of free speech and personal liberty. Unfortunately, the young … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and reading, German history, German literature | Leave a comment

The Last One Standing

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

It wasn’t the prettiest medieval castle on the Rhine, or the biggest, or the richest, or the most famous. But the Marksburg is the only castle in the whole middle-Rhine region that didn’t get destroyed. All the others had to … Continue reading →

Posted in German history, Germany, Tourist destinations | 2 Comments