Medieval Times

When I was little, I didn't really like the idea of the Medieval time period. My mom once took us four girls on a field trip to "Medieval Times," where we watched an educational jousting show while we were served a meal. It was a very interactive trip, and I would definitely recommend it. But, at the time, I wasn't impressed. Perhaps it was because we were served chicken with no forks, forcing me to eat with my hands. Or maybe it was because the idea of jousting seemed weird. Either way, I never would have imagined that I would later have the opportunity to actually visit real medieval towns in Germany. This time around, I appreciated it a whole lot more.

We had the opportunity to travel on the Romantic Road and visit several towns along the way. It was amazing to walk on the old city walls and stand in the towers where the guards kept watch. Each city was different, but they all had one thing in common. Whenever we looked out over the city, it was a sea of red rooftops! They were required to use shingles to help prevent fires. 

The red rooftops were everywhere!

Walking along the original city wall!

One of our favorite stops was the city of Rothenburg, Germany. We absolutely loved walking around, admiring the shops, and learning about life during the Medieval times. Their buildings, for instance, were constructed quite differently. The houses all had huge doors so that a carriage could fit through, but they usually included a smaller door for people. The richer houses even had bells that you could pull instead of knocking.

Crime and punishment also looked very different. They often used torture to bring about a confession from those who were accused of crimes. And, you could be punished for a variety of different things, like drinking coffee, making bread too small or too large if you sold it in a bakery, or quarreling. These crimes had all sorts of punishments, including wearing shame masks. One of the most humourous punishment was the double-neck violin. Quarrelsome women would wear this until they could work out their difficulties. 

A double-neck violin with holes for the head and hands

Even though we personally wouldn't like living during this time period, we still enjoyed learning about it and spending time in the cities. We also got to celebrate Father's Day in Rothenburg, even though Germans celebrate it a month earlier. Each city was simply charming, and I will miss all the cute houses, flowers in the windows, and cobblestone streets. 

Father's Day dinner

The streets were adorable!

Surrounded by Beauty

These past few days have been some of my favorite! I have loved moving at a slower pace and taking time to really enjoy and soak in the beauty around us. Although the weather has been pretty gloomy and rainy, we've been able to take a few hikes and see some spectacular views!

A view from one of our hikes

Wildflowers are everywhere!

Another highlight of the past few days has been exploring some beautiful castles owned by King Ludwig II, one of the last kings before the monarchy ended. The most famous of his castles is Schloss Neuschwanstein, the inspiration for the Disney castle. It was incredible to see the design, both inside and out! This particular one took 17 years to build, and was never fully completed before King Ludwig died. We loved touring the castle and seeing just how extravagant everything was. 

Schloss Neuschwanstein

Quick Update

The last few days have been at a slightly slower pace, and we have been able to have some much needed relaxation time. One day we wandered around Hallstatt, Austria and took a little joy ride on the lake. Then we spent two nights in Konigsee, Germany where we explored the lake. We also visitied Eagle's Nest which Hilter used during WWII. Up top there were amazing views of the Austrian and German alps.

Hallstatt, Austria

Sister Time on Lake in San Gilgen, Austria

Eagle's Nest, Germany

Eagle's Nest, Germany

Striking Beauty

Speaking of his hometown, Mozart stated, "Of all the lovely regions I have seen, none can compare to Salzburg's striking natural beauty."

I would have to agree with him. Over the few days we spent in Salzburg, I absolutely fell in love with the beautiful city and surrounding area. The grass covering the rolling hills and mountains seemed like a blanket of green with patches of colors from the wildflowers. It may be another location on a map, but there is so much more than meets the eye: the richness of the culture, vast amounts of history, and exciting opportunities to experience the city and bond as a family.

In addition to the beauty of the surrounding alps, Salzburg attracts thousands of visitors who want to see where "The Sound of Music" was filmed. We enjoyed visiting sites used in different parts of the movie ourselves, including Nonnberg Abbey, St. Peter's cemetery, and various sites from the song "Do, Re, Mi."

Re-enacting a scene from "Do, Re, Mi"

The fountain and steps in the "Do, Re, Mi" finale

In addition to re-enacting the scenes from the movie, we also enjoyed learning about the history of the city. A highlight of our time in Salzburg was visiting the Hohensalzburg fortress, the largest medieval fortress currently standing and intact. The fortress sits in a very strategic position, allowing it to protect the city. In fact, it was so intimidating that it prevented Salzburg from any attacks. We loved walking around inside and on top of the walls. I tried to imagine what it would have been like to live inside the fortress during its time as its own little town, complete with a bakery and various shops. 

The view from the top of the fortress was incredible!

The experiences and memories made in Salzburg are ones that will stay with me forever. From tasting new foods and trying to speak German to observing the culture and surrounding beauty, this city has been one of my favorites by far. 

Just as Mozart put it, it has captivated me with its striking beauty. So long and farewell, Salzburg. You will always have a special place in my heart.

The City Behind a Mask

Venice. It rests on wood pylons driven 15 feet into the ground. Only 60,000 residents remain in this once grand city. They are leaving at a rate of 1000 per year. Strict building codes and laws prevent what seams like almost any changes to the rotting buildings. City planners worry that in six decades, Venice will only be a historic museum.

However, that does not minimize the enchanting mystery of this place, especially in the quieter, traditional, and residential sections. Laundry swings over the narrow streets in harmony with the sea breeze. The wind carries the smell and moisture of the ocean on its back. The sound of the occasional accordion echos off the water and bounces off the colorful facades. The gondolier's paddle creates ripples which reflect off the innumerable bridges.

Though filled with historic grandeur, Venice is deteriorating from the inside out. Tourists see the colorful facades and imagine Venice at its peak . It is like a masquerade. Beautiful and mysterious to the eye, but something deeper lies beneath. This is the picture of enchanting mystery. A city behind a mask.

// Katelyn //

The Rest of Us Just Copy

A view of Florence from the top of the Cathedral's Dome

Florence: a bustling city packed with hundreds of years of history and discovery. The view from the top of the "Duomo" (Cathedral) was spectacular - thousands of ant-like figures roamed the narrow streets, and a blanket of red brick rooftops covered the city as far as the eye could see.

From a glance, one might notice the city's architecture and crowded streets. But, underneath the red rooftops lies an incredible collection of various forms of art, waiting to be noticed and observed. We had the opportunity to visit several art museums, all of which displayed different kinds of beauty and styles.

I was struck by the noticeable difference of the paintings which spanned a few time periods. For instance, many paintings before the Renaissance appeared flat since artists did not try to create a three dimensional feel. However, as the Renaissance came and went, artists experimented with life-like dimensions, trying to make the viewer feel part of the painting. Below are two paintings showing the difference. The one on the left portrays the angel visiting Mary for the first time. Their faces clearly appear flat and without depth. The painting on the right, however, marks a complete change in style. Michelangelo allows viewers to feel drawn into the painting, and the size of Mary and Joseph compared to the figures in the background gives a sense of depth.

The angel approaching Mary

Michelangelo's depiction of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus

Watching the transformation of styles absolutely blew me away. It was inspiring to see how art - painting and sculpting alike - changed over the years. I still am in awe that we could see this transformation in the form of so many well-known works: Michelangelo's "David," "The Birth of Venus," and Raphael's portraits lined the halls of these museums.

What struck me more, however, is that even the best paintings and sculptures are nothing compared to God's creation. We may "ooh" and "aah" when we see a life-like sculpture or a painting that shows three dimensions, but it can't compare to how complex God has created us and the world around us to be. As Michelangelo himself so eloquently put it, "Only God creates. The rest of us just copy."

-Rebecca

Foundations

No trip to Italy could be complete without a day trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Field of Miracles. They say that all the major life events happened on the Field of Miracles: you were dedicated to God in the baptistery, got married in the church, had all major state events in front of the Leaning Tower, and were buried in the cemetery.

This speaks for itself. We tried so hard! ;)

The single reason the tower leans is because of the soil upon which it is built. As I stood contemplating the marvels of the tower, I couldn't help but think about foundations. One should always look and consider what you are building on before you begin. In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus narrates the parable of the wise and foolish builders.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who build his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sad. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a crash."

Think about what your life is built upon.

-Katelyn

Nice family pic

Cinque Terre

We loved walking around town!

We took a break from the crowded and busy city of Rome to spend some time at the Cinque Terre coast in the small town of Corniglia. Cinque Terre is a series of five small towns along the coast, and all are simply charming. It was lovely to sit back and observe life in the small town. Shops line the streets, owners make conversation with passing tourists, vibrant colors of the buildings draw the eyes of the visitors, and smells of freshly baked goods fill the air.
One can always see laundry hanging from the apartments stacked on top of one another, and neighbors often talk with one another from their balconies across the street.

One of the bays nearby

We spent our time here walking around the different towns, relaxing at a few different beaches, and hiking from one town to the next. We got to sit back and see the culture of the people who live here. Schedules, for instance, are more flexible. Whenever we asked when a store closed, it usually depended on when the owners felt like it! A highlight of our few days here was spending an afternoon at the beach on the Mediterranean Sea. We skipped rocks, napped on the sand, and swam to some nearby rocks. It was definitely a blessing to take some time to relax and enjoy the Italian culture.

-Rebecca

Our visit to a nearby beach

Gelato is always a favorite!

Frozen Music

"Architecture is music in space, as it were a frozen music." Friedrich Wihelm

Art and architecture prevail throughout Rome. One cannot take a single step into the vast city without noticing the timeless foundations. Take the Pantheon for example. It is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. It is 142 feet tall and 142 feet wide. And, it is home to the eternal Roman column: a single pillar of light which stands frozen in time.

The Eternal Roman Column in the Pantheon

Yet another timeless engineering accomplishment is St. Peter's Basilica. Intricate designs carved into

 marble and precious stones line every inch of the space inside. Even though the basilica is over three football fields long, Michelangelo intentionally designed it to feel small and more intimate. For example, the wooden canopy in the middle of the picture below is actually seven stories high and is placed deliberately under the dome to make the onlooker perceive the dome to be smaller than it actually is. This was also Michelangelo's last project before he died. He only finished part of the dome. However, the basilica was finished after his death and followed Michelangelo's detailed blueprints.

St. Peter's Basilica

"Architecture has recorded the great ideas of the human race. Not only every religious symbol, but every human thought has its page in that book." Victor Hugo

Speaking of Michelangelo, one of my absolute favorite sights thus far was the Sistine Chapel. I was able to capture a picture of the famous part of God breathing life into Adam before a security guard yelled at me. Here God is pictured in His crowning glory with an entourage of angles and attendants coming down to the helpless, limp form of Adam straining to touch his creator's outstretched hand. Michelangelo painstakingly painted each position of a hand, each way a face is turned, and each direction a figure gazes in a precise position to fabricate a story beginning with creation and ending with the final judgement. This celling has saturated millions of eyes which have gazed upon it with sheer, striking awe. Scholars agree that the Sistine Chapel is the greatest work of art in the world created by a single person. This is the epitome of music frozen in time.

-Katelyn

Sistine Chapel

A Roman Holiday

Seeing the Colosseum absolutely blew me away. The architecture and structure is incredible to see now, and it's hard to imagine what it must have looked like in all of its splendor.

A view from inside, including the underground level

As we walked around inside and saw where the gladiators, prisoners, and many Christians were held before they fought or were killed, I couldn't help but wonder what it must have been like for them, especially for the Christians who awaited their death. I

The Roman Forum at night

tried to place myself in their shoes and imagine thousands of people in the stands yelling at me and wanting to see me die, but I couldn't even begin to picture it.

The Roman Forum was another highlight of our time in Rome. What we now see as rubble once stood as huge magnificent buildings. Buildings such as the Senate Building and various temples surrounded the area. It was crazy to think that we were walking in the same place where so many others have walked for thousands of years. Even though we saw columns and crumbled walls, it was incredible to imagine what it once was.

-Rebecca