Sights Archives ⋆ Page 54 of 149 ⋆ The Passenger

February 15, 2020February 17, 2020

Karl-Marx-Relief

Between 1953 and 1991 the university of Leipzig, Germany, was named Karl-Marx-Universität after the author of ‘Capital. A Critique of Political Economy‘. In 1968 the church belonging to the university (Paulinerkirche, inaugurated in 1240) next to the Augustusplatz was destroyed to build a new university building. There was no place for religion in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). In 1974 a giant artwork called ‘Aufbruch‘ was attached to this new building showing Karl Marx and honouring him and the Marxism. It is 14 meters long, 7 meters high and has a weight of 33 tons.

February 2, 2020February 3, 2020

St. Petri

The Petrikirche at Lübeck, Germany, is a nice church dating back to the year 1170 CE and is made of the typical red bricks used in this area of the country. It was destroyed during World War II and served for many years as a lapidarium – a place where stones from other religious buildings of the city were collected. The church was rebuilt only in 1987 and as all of the interior is lost it is normally not used for religious services.

February 2, 2020February 3, 2020

Rebuilt cathedral

The Lübecker Dom is one of the richly decorated churches in the city. Its foundation stone was laid by Henry the Lion in 1137, the church was inaugurated in 1247. Formerly a Catholic church it has been converted during Protestant Reformation and it changed its appearance from a Roman to Gothic style. After a bomb partially destroyed the Dom in 1942 it needed until 1982 to restore it properly.

February 2, 2020February 4, 2020

Heiligen-Geist-Hospital

It is a little bit spooky but worth a visit: the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital in the city centre of Lübeck, Germany. A beautiful Gothic building made from red bricks containing a former hospital dating back to the year 1227 CE. When you enter it you will feel like in a church – there are giant religious wall paintings, a pulpit and some sculptures. You can also enter the main hall of the hospital where you can see wooden cabins that were once used to separate the ill. Hard to imagine to stay for a longer time in one of these.

January 6, 2020January 7, 2020

Bilsteinklippen

The Brasselsberg mountain close to Kassel, Germany, is full of rock formations of volcanic origin. There were different volcanoes and over time erosion washed weaker material out and left bizarre rocks throughout the mountains. Some are better known as they are located next to frequently used hiking paths (like the Porta Lapidaria) and some are very special like the Teufelsmauer and facilities like protective huts have been created next to them. A rather unknown beauty are the Bilsteinklippen, a collection of large volcanic rocks near the Bismarckturm.

January 6, 2020January 7, 2020

Hirzstein

When you’re hiking within the Habichtswald near Kassel, Germany you might find signs leading you to the Hirzstein – a 500 meters high rock formation with a nature preserve. Access is possible from the Teufelseck near the Teufelsmauer. It is just a one kilometre long way along the mountain through beautiful forest until you reach a viewing platform. Here you will find benches and very good views on Baunatal and Schauenburg. A detour is absolutely worth to take!

January 6, 2020January 7, 2020

Burgruine Schauenburg

The municipality of Schauenburg, Germany, is (like also, for example, Baunatal) a combination of different villages: Breitenbach, Elgershausen, Elmshagen, Hoof and Martinhagen. Its centre is at Hoof and the symbol of the municipality is the Schauenburg, a former fortification on a volcanic cone (the Burgberg). It dates back to the 11th century CE and the structures are clearly visible on top of the mountain – different walls are still standing and even some crop plants from these times have survived.

January 3, 2020April 14, 2022

Söhre

The Söhre is a far-spread mountain range with beautiful forests close to Kassel, Germany. At its centre, a municipality called Söhrewald can be found but the Söhre also reaches into municipalities like Lohfelden, Guxhagen, Fuldabrück, Helsa, Kaufungen or Hessisch Lichtenau. It is an area beloved for nice hiking tracks and different routes like the Märchenlandweg or the Kassel-Steig guide you through it. The Söhre is closely linked to Kassel as brown coal was found there and transported via the Söhrebahn to the city. This created many villages along the track that today people live at that commute to Kassel.

December 24, 2019December 26, 2019

Pigeons‘ rocks

The Pigeons’ rocks or Raouché rocks are a rock formation consisting of two large rocks standing at the shore of the Mediterranean Sea – surrounded by water and waves. They are located in the West of بيروت, Lebanon, belonging to an area called Raouché or Ras Beirut (‘Head of Beirut‘). These iconic rocks are a town’s landmark of the city and often visited by tourists and locals. It is believed that the rocks have split up from the mainland around the 13th century CE. On them, archaeologists discovered tools and flintstones of early humanity.

December 23, 2019January 10, 2020

Château Ksara

The landscape of Lebanon is totally different from other countries of the Middle East. You won’t find deserts there – because of the high mountains it is a green country and you can even go skiing. The Beqaa valley is used to grow all sorts of fruits and vegetables (formerly also hashish and opium, but that is another story) and of course wine grapes. Different vineyards can be found and the Château Ksara at زحلة is the oldest and most visited. It was founded in 1857 by Jesuit priests because they needed wine for religious purposes.