Come along with me and visit a little Jewel.
Berching in Bavaria, Germany a favorite small town between Nürnberg and Regensburg.
On the way to Berching from Linz, Austria. with the Danube below.
A steep road takes you to one castle after another.
Castles we would have missed had we not taken one of the small side roads.
Go ahead and be brave, the GPS will always take you back.
Even small and steep roads are well maintained.
More small highways and byways and another little village.
This is what all of these little houses would look like if they didn't get a new Putz. I think I like the
untouched version better. A view probably not shared by its neighbors.
Along the Castle Road many little burgs.
With an honest to goodness Misthaufen.
Do they look like droopy eyes to you?
Part of the outside of the ancient Berching wall with one of the towers.
Red marks the spot.
Pretty sights everywhere.
And old cobble stone streets have gathered moss.
An ancient wall, from the Middle Ages, encircles 1000 year old Berching.
This is one of the corner towers, now made into a 6 story apartment.
I have always wanted one of those little square windows. That's not too much to ask, is it?
A covered walkway on top of the ancient walls takes you to interesting sights.
We stayed at the old Gristmill, the Stampfermühle, established in 1628.
The Gasthaus is known for it's excellent kitchen.
Our table is by the Kachelofen. We are cozy and warm. And more wood outside to feed the fires.
A week is not enough in this lovely spot.
Because you haven't even begun to explore the Altmültal, a glorious landscape with sweet meandering rivers.
Maybe I will see you there.
Gina
Go ahead and be brave, the GPS will always take you back.
untouched version better. A view probably not shared by its neighbors.
This is one of the corner towers, now made into a 6 story apartment.
I have always wanted one of those little square windows. That's not too much to ask, is it?
The Gasthaus is known for it's excellent kitchen.
Because you haven't even begun to explore the Altmültal, a glorious landscape with sweet meandering rivers.
Maybe I will see you there.
Gina
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.ca/
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.ca/
Dear Gina,
ReplyDeleteI am gladly coming along with you on this wonderful post while sitting in an armchair. It makes me homesick although I am not from this region.
Even on a wet day your photos are full of rich colors and I love your narrative along with them. I agree that the older buildings,a bit neglected,
have much more character than the neatly renovated ones. The Misthaufen is precious, but even more special is the view down to the river
valley and all the green meadows and forests along the way. Very special post,awaited impatiently.
Warmest greetings, Sieglinde
Dear Sieglinde, I was surprised to see so much green at this time of year. Just proves that the climate in central Europe is more moderate than what we are used to here in Utah. The area around Berching is especially beautiful. Not visited by many tourists except for those who love to ride bicycles and sail and paddle the many waterways. Maybe you can visit the are on your upcoming trip.
DeleteHow adorable! Maybe someday I'll get there! Happy New Year Gina!
ReplyDeleteDear Linda, Happy New Year to you and thank you for your visit. Getting there is so easy these days. With your artists eye you would have a most wonderful trip.
DeleteHello Gina,
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful tour. Beautiful series of photos! Thank you so much for sharing, Happy 2014 and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
Hello Linda from Montreal. Happy New Year to you. Thank you for your visit and lovely comment. It is very much appreciated.
DeleteGina, what wonderful photographs you have taken! Perhaps my favorite is of the overgrown greenery incline next to the roadway. I am always intrigued by how different countries have very differing ways of "manicuring" the roadsides.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about seeing those sleepy eyes in the steep roof. I remember being intrigued by the various regional roofing shapes and materials I saw on my long ago Eurailpass train trips around Europe. Pre-Euro. Way back.
Here's a question about this lovely area in which you stayed... what sort of economy keeps this area so lovely? Surely, there must be lots of tourism, but are their other businesses that keep the community engine running?
Hoping that you will be showing us even more photographs from this fabulous holiday. xo
Dear Frances, I remember those care free trips by European Rail. We have gotten away from train travel and have chosen to travel by car. Both have pros and cons.
DeleteEven though the area is not well known by most tourists there are those who are very loyal to this area and visit every year. I am not aware of any major industry. Areas planted with hops for beer making is one I am aware of. Many large waterways (the Ludwig Danube Canal, the Main River, Danube Canal) provide commercial as well as tourist transportation. It is a large area and, I think, the economy is mainly supported by tourism.
Dear Gina - I love that central European mountainous region which you have captured so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteYou were fortunate that there was no snow around for driving. We have not had any snow or frost here so far this year - rain storms, yes, but no real cold.
The steep alpine roof with the 'all seeing eyes' is very appealing, and I do like that touch of whimsy showing horse shilouettes peering over the balcony in Berching.
Dear Rosemary, I remember from a previous visit, during early Summer, how special the area is. The first time we visited a very large area was under water. Even then I could see how beautiful it was. Besides historic towns the area is blessed with a very large Nature Park, the "Altmühltal.
DeleteThe horse sculptures were added since we visited last. I should have walked up to the wall to investigate further. I noticed that the tower next to it,the one with the 6 story apartment, had a sign on the door advertising that a sculptor lived within. Maybe she/he sculpted the horses.
Dear Gina,
ReplyDeleteThanks for a tour of a charming place (that I gather you've visited more than once). I would love to pick out the architectural detail of that unpainted house. I'd use a color scheme of three colors, but I'd hate to cover those exposed bricks. I like the roof with the droopy eyes — it reminds me of a Tibetan temple!
Dear Mark, Did you notice that the house to the left of the unfinished house has the exact architectural details on the facade? Your idea of three colors is interesting. What colors would you choose?
DeleteThose droopy eyes sometimes also remind me of a big frog sitting on a large pond leaf, half asleep.
I would choose at least three adjacent colors from the same paint chip — we'll say a nice green like it already has — and divide the facade into top and bottom. The botton would be painted the darker and medium green, and the top would be painted the medium and lighter green. It would be a nice contrast to the neighbors' single colors and more modern look.
DeleteMark, I believe that would be a winner. And if the owner would leave the good looking details on the windows and not remove them (as they did in the house to the left) I think that it could be the best looking house on the block. I think that I will write a note and tack it to the front door.
DeleteSo enjoyed this tour, we lived in Germany over 40 years ago, so it was like a wonderful blast from the past. We loved it there.....we lived
ReplyDeletein Bitburg which is about 30 mins. from Trier...........we absolutely loved exploring there........so much fun, and so many neat things to see.
Thanks for sharing this,
Blessings, Nellie
Hello Nellie, You lived in a very picturesque area of Germany with many towns and cities steeped in history and beautiful architecture. Thank you for your visit and lovely comment. Gina
DeleteGina, I've not the chance to explore this area but would love to! Your colorful, beautiful photos bring it to life so vividly - I especially love pics of details such as the lace-curtained windows, doors and locks, woodpile etc. Thanks for sharing Germany - it looks so lovely with many different architectural styles and features.
ReplyDeleteBTW Gina, thank you so much for heads up and painting ideas for the wall in my 'Singing the Blues' post. Gosh, if only we were neighbors, what fun we'd have!!!!
Happy weekend, Mary XOXO
Dear Mary, I agree with you...it is always the details that tell the full story. Yes, we would have fun. That beautiful blue wall would be quite a challenge but I know that we could do it. I'm so glad that you're feeling better. Take good care, Gina
DeleteOh Gina! What a lovely journey you took us on. I love the droopy eyed windows, the old facades, baskets on cobblestones and always the lace curtains. It is always the details that make the journey delightful!
ReplyDeleteDear Theresa, The artists eye always goes to the details. No wonder that you noticed cobblestones and lace curtains. Europe is so saturated with details that I often see nothing else. By the way, your recent work is spectacular. Gina
ReplyDeleteGina, Google seems to be having big problems but at last I managed to get your comments to open!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to tell you I have now put the 'hotpot' recipe on my post - if you prefer I send a better copy please send me your mailing address via e-mail.
Happy day -
Hugs - Mary
Thank you Mary, It looks like a good one.
DeleteIt seems like an artist would love to see some of these views and paint them. You took such sharp beautiful photos! WOW!
DeleteHello Lavender Dreamer, So happy that you liked my photographs. Thank you so much for your visit.
DeleteJust charming! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Deb, Thank you so much for stopping by. Your visit is appreciated.
DeleteThank you for this wonderful tour. Beautiful scenery! Have a grand week!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cathy. And wishing you a wonderful week as well. Thank you so much for visiting and commenting.
DeleteWhat a lovely town to visit! The houses and scenery is gorgeous. I love the views of the river too. Wonderful series of photos, thank you for sharing your visit! Have a happy week ahead!
ReplyDeleteHello Eileen, This part of Bavaria is truly a fairy tale scene, one after the other. Perfect for just getting into the car and wandering about. Thank you for your visit and comment. It is so appreciated.
DeleteOh these pictures would make a beautiful coffee table! Fantastic pictures ... thank you for sharing thi wonderful tour. (And yes those windows in the roof definitely look like eyes!)
ReplyDeleteHello Sallie, What a lovely thing to say. I am so pleased that you liked this little journey into a very beautiful part of Germany. Thank you also for your visit.
DeleteI have been on many of those roads, and enjoyed looking at the bits of map you showed - they took me back. What a beautiful part of the world! I remember a trip with three girlfriends to the Nuremberg Christmas Market. We had such a wonderful time taking every little side road, finding a different Zimmer every night and wonderful gastette. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteDear Pondside, Now you know how to travel in Europe. Yes, Zimmers and Gaststätte play an important role in our travels. How wonderful that you were able to share this experience with three of your girlfriends. Visiting Christmas markets in central Europe is truly a fine holiday experience.
DeleteGina, your photos are just wonderful. The area is SO picturesque! Thank you for sharing these and giving us a peek at what you saw. I hope to visit Germany someday- after kids finish college! Have a great week :)
ReplyDeleteHello Micupoftea, When you get ready to visit Germany let me know and I will share with you some of our favorite spots...so many after more than forty trips to Europe. Thank you for commenting and your visit. I am so glad that you stopped by.
DeleteYet another reason to love blogging! Such a great way to see parts of the world that we may not ever get to actually visit. I have toured some in Bavaria and it is one perfect little country scene after another. Luckily I didn't travel the same roads as you did!
ReplyDeleteHello Faye, You are indeed lucky. You have traveled some of the highways and byways of Bavaria...with scenes one more beautiful than the next. Thank you for your visit.
DeleteThese are sensational images and such a treat to have gone along with you ;)
ReplyDeleteDear Mary, you are always invited to come along and thank you for being such a loyal visitor.
DeleteWell, dear Gina, I've started my visit at your blog in Utah und nun beende ich meinen "Besuch" mit diesem post, mit diesen wunderschönen photos, in Bavaria! Had a very enjoyable trip....finally :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteBleib' mir wohlgesonnen,
Herzlichst, karin
Dear Karin, Berching is a place that needs to be visited and visited again. It is one of the most beautiful places in Europe and not well known. It would take weeks just to get to know the beautiful areas around Berching, such as the Altmühltal.
DeleteBerching, Germany, my place of birth and proud Germanic heritage. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteHello Southbound, Berching is a most beautiful little part of the world. Wish everyone could experience it. Thank you for your visit. Wishing you a wonderful day.
Delete