Sunday, October 16, 2011

There is a place




Tucked away in the most northeastern corner of Italy





A special place called Südtirol

Where the cows go to green pastures and come home every evening to be in their cozy barn, where each cow has a hand painted name plate and her own window to look out from.





This is also the place where I buy my hand knit sweaters.
(The black sweater on the left is my newest acquisition).





From a special shop by the name of Trachten Stueberle





Where every balcony is  adorned with the most impossible and
luxurious flowers.





And where an elderly gentleman, of nobility, lives behind these towering walls.





He lives there, by himself, hidden.





In this enormous castle.





And every year I ask the locals: 'what do you hear from the old Gentleman' ? 

And always, a shrug of the shoulders follows.





And every year, I am hoping, that the elderly Gentleman will see me from his window, and send his manservant to invite me to have tea with him. 





And then I will sit quietly and listen.


Where is this magic place, you ask?

It is called Toblach/Dobbiaco in the Südtirol, where both Italian and German is spoken.

Each year I discover a little more and one day I will know everything.


Gina  



34 comments:

  1. Oh, this is SO WONDERFUL!!!!!!!! I've missed being able to stop by for a couple of weeks and am so glad to be back! I went to the NorthEastern part of Italy the 1st time we traveled there (almost 20 years ago) and loved the German/Austrian influences on Trieste, etc.
    ***I haven't forgotten that you requested pictures of the hand-painted ceramics/pottery in Arezzo...I just got my computer back last wk. from its sailing across the ocean & then Tom deployed...but hopefully soon I'll be able to get that post out for you!!!

    Love/hugs/blessings,
    Lana

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  2. Gina, as I began to read this post and gaze at your photos, I felt as if I were entering a dream land. What an incredible place you have visited.

    Perhaps you will post some more pictures and words about this kingdom?

    Best wishes.

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  3. What a beautiful spot you've visited! I enjoyed the mystery you created around the elderly gentleman. He must have someone to keep him company, though, because I notice the windows are sparling clean.

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  4. Hi Lana, I look forward to seeing your post about your finds at the Arezzo flea market, especially the ceramics. Thank you for thinking of me.
    Gina

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  5. Dear Frances, We discovered this lovely place many years ago...it is always a new adventure.

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  6. Hi Mark, I was told that the gentleman has a housekeeper who stops by once in a while. Of course, YOU would notice the clean windows! What we need is for you to go for a visit. I know that you would come back with the full story.

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  7. And me, I was wondering if he would like some female companionship - someone who also has visited the Dolomite region and loved the beautiful tilework, the sparkling lakes and the fresh mountain air!!! I just remember from the late 60's when I traveled there with my parents that we hadn't noticed the lovely church that was beside our little Inn (it was dark when we arrived) and that early the next morning we were awoken by the church bells peeling loudly.

    Mary in Oregon

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  8. Gina,
    This post warmed my heart. I just had my husband come in here to read it with me. I love these little treasures one sometimes finds in the blog world. You helped to make this a special day. Many thanks for sharing this gorgeous place. Oh my...those flowers!
    Catherine

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  9. Your photographs convey the magic of the place in all its glory!

    Gustav Mahler loved the place.

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  10. Hi Mary, The church bells, Yes. One of my most favorite things about traveling to Europe is being awakened by church bells.
    The elderly Gentleman? I don't know...he doesn't seem to need company.

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  11. Hi Mark, You never know...Just in case, there is a fine hotel nearby. "Hotel Adler" in Niederdorf/Villabasa, 5 miles from Dobbiaco.

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  12. Hi Catherine, thank you so much for your lovely compliments and your visit. It is so appreciated.
    Gina

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  13. Hi Merisi, Gustav Mahler loved the place, how interesting. The mountains near Dobbiaco are spectacular (It's not too far from Cortino).
    We also like to continue further east and into Burgenland, one of my most favorite places in the world.

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  14. By the way, Gina, I forgot to mention that I am sure there would be many takers whenever you may decide you no longer have room for those delicately knitted masterpieces! I must put those on my priority list for Italian purchases!

    Mary in Oregon

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  15. Ahhh the Südtirol, a very special place with many interesting villages. It is one of my favorite places. I haven't yet visited Toblach/Dobbiaco, but this has enticed me.

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  16. Jololohuedi !!!!

    Lovely images - kann die Jodler hoeren!

    We have to find out about the 'old Gentleman' !!

    Aber liebe Gina, please forgive me, ich dachte immer, dass die Kuehe bis zum Almabtrieb im Spaetherbst auf der Alm bleiben? Vielleicht ist es in Suedtirol ja anders?

    Lieben Gruss,
    karin

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  17. Hi Mary, Wish I could share but some of my sweaters are more than 30 years old and still going strong.

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  18. Hi German Gems, and while you're there don't miss Niederdorf/Villabasa and the Hotel Adler.

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  19. Hi Karin, I have always wanted to know how to yodel. My friend Classy, the great skier, knows how to yodel. You can hear her all over the Alta Mountains.
    In many small villages a young herder will pick up cows and goats early in the morning and then he escorts them back every evening. The animals come from different households and they all know their gates and place in line.

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  20. Hi Gina, What a gorgeous village. The flowers on the balcony are amazing.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  21. Gina, I forgot to thank you for linking to the Open House party this week. I hope you are doing well and that you have a wonderful weekend.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  22. Dear Sherry, You must have had a great time in Venice. I must say, Venice is still one of my most favorite cities in the world.

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  23. Hello Gina,

    you made very great pictures from Südtirol. I remember as I was a child my parents drive every year with me to Südtirol for holidays. I have such nice memories of this holidays.

    I wish you a nice new week,
    Tanja

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  24. Hello Rosenresli, Thank you for your visit. Suedtirol is a very special place...one of my most favorite places in the world.

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  25. Gina..that is so magical. I love your photos..thank you for the beautiful journey.
    xo Tami

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  26. I truly enjoyed every scene you shared. I would give anything to have one of those sweaters. Compared to when we had cows, those live a life of luxury. Loved your post.

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  27. Hi Tami, You are so generous with your compliments and I so appreciate it. Have a lovely holiday. Gina

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  28. Hi LV, You are right, those cows are pampered. I too love my hand knit sweaters...some I have had for more than 35 years.

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  29. Hello John, Thanks for your visit and welcome to the blogging world...they are all a nice bunch of people.

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  30. Gina...
    Oh my, you live in the most beautiful place, I love Italy!!!...I will follow so I can come back and have a better look at everything later...wow! Beautiful post!
    Happy Pink Saturday
    Thank you for sharing this...
    Grace

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  31. Hello Touch of Grace, Welcome and thank you for your visit. Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving. Gina

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  32. Hi Gina, I am enthralled with the wolchenstricker sweaters. I am going to Munich for Octoberfest with my twins in September and would love to get one of these type sweaters to wear with jeans. I love the Gorsuch catalog and see that they have some and are very expensive. Do you know if they can be purchased in any of the shops in Munich and if the prices would be more expensive in the states vs there? Thanks for any advice!

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    1. You can probably find a shop in Munich where they sell Wolkenstricker sweaters. I believe that Munich is the city in which the company originated.
      I purchased all of my Wolkenstricker sweaters in the small Italian town of Dobiacco. The other place, and a little more expensive, is a shop in Bolzano. The shop is located "unter den Linden". Yes, they are expensive but they are very special.

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