More Touring

Kufstein

We had a pleasant overnight in a small town at the B&B that Pam found. 

Then, after a hearty breakfast, we headed to Kufstein. This is fortress town, very important in Tirolean history. It went back and forth into Bavarian and Tirolean hands over the centuries. The region was virally important as Europe’s  main source of silver and copper (the marketing of which was much controlled by the Fugger family in Augsburg) up until about Reformation times, after which the sources were depleted, and new sources were sought and found in the New World. 

Our first view of the city.

Wood carvings 

The bank

Marvelous stone carving of a river barge with the fortress (Festung) in the background.

The bank building, once and now. The city used to have a moat around it. 

A bronze map of the city and fortress.

The gold dot is where the bronze (and Bank and we) were. 

Crèche from logs

Heading up to the church at the base of the fortress

Renaissance era tombstones

Church interior. St. Vitus.

Upper part of a marble tombstone 

Carved, painted, and gilded wood

The organ balcony 

Then onward and upward to the fortress. Note the covered wooden walkway wending its way upward. And to the left of it, a little cable car, if one would choose not to walk up. We walked. 

And walked

And walked

All along the passageway, there had been heavy, metal-clad doors to close to defend the access. An ingenious system….

But…

The last time the fortress was taken was in the 1700‘s, by four officers and 50 soldiers, who came through an unprotected window, as the city below was burning. So much for defended passages. The story was told at the top of the walkway.









To be continued….

Next Country, Part 2

Still in Innsbruck 

Or?

The giant from a folklore tale. The magical girls did not want to marry him. 

This bakery provided another good bread for supper (with some for breakfast tomorrow).

The pink church on the right is the Spitalkirche (hospital church). A big earthquake destroyed the original, then it was rebuilt in the 1700‘s, then got severely damaged again by American bombers in the War, then reconstructed. So parts look unfinished.

On our way back to the parking garage, we saw a miniature village exhibit and people with children waiting for something. It was an animated Christmas story with beautiful music and singing, in broad Tirolean accents. 

From there we drive further to a B&B to stay the night. 

The place as depicted in a photo in the front hall.

The surprises of the day were not yet finished. This is the day for the Perchtenlauf. Husky young men dress up in very heavy costumes with carved grotesque heads and drums and bells to parade the village street and terrorize the spectators.  They are there to drive the evil spirits away for the winter. This is ancient custom preserved in all the south-eastern areas  in and around Austria ( including Appenzell in Switzerland, and Croatia and Hungary and other areas). So we had our dinner (Thanks, Pam!) between their going and coming on the street outside. 

So it was a full day of cultural experiences (and included Tiroler Knodel and cider, which the one-time-Austrian of our group relished).

Tomorrow we plan to head a bit north. 

Next Country

Innsbruck 

Today we headed over the Arlberg Pass into Austria. So the guests got to see and be in real mountains, with snow, and grand views. Pam can show you pictures. 

Then we arrived in Innsbruck, right at a Food Market and a Christmas Market. Perhaps some gifts will be heading to the US.

Some of this is joining us for supper. 

Innsbruck is, obviously, at a bridge crossing over the River Inn. It is also at the base of some imposing mountains. 

Notice the Duke Sigmund riverbank sign.

The sun was out and crystals were sparkling. 

Today is Saint Nicholas day and Pam very much wanted to see Saint Nicholas and Schmutzli, but they are only in Switzerland. We did see St. Nicholas and angels though, the Austrian version. 

Then we headed to the main streets of the old town area. 

These are Tirolean resistance fighters, in a lost cause against Napoleonic incursions. 


Did we say views? 

Sleeping Beauty lane

Supper time….. to be continued 

Touring

Switzerland in Advent

With our American visitors wanting to see Christmasy places, we have wandered several cities to see Christmas markets, lights, and sights: in Zürich, Bern, and this evening in Sankt Gallen. We went first to the abbey cathedral to listen to some organ music. I can’t take decent pictures in the dark, so check Pam’s Instagram for better photos. 

Chancel

Pulpit base

Then we wandered the Christmas market stalls in the old town. 

The Armory (Zeughaus) had indoor stands.

A bakery window. These designs are pressed from ancient carved molds.