Skip to main content

Remains of the Roman Empire

Imperial Court
Around our home in Frankfurt there are many little towns and villages full of history. We like to explore medieval influences and in particularly discover remains of the roman empire's culture and influence. Wetzlar, although quite small, was a very important part of the Holy Roman Empire. The Reichskammergericht (Imperial Chamber Court) was built in town to deal with justice, and it was one of the highest court institutions of the time. It can still be found in this city. It has the symbol of a two headed black eagle on the front and is used as a restaurant today.

Inhabited for the past 5000 years, this town is just 30 minutes away from our home. We walked in narrow alleys, saw half timbered houses with exquisite designs, and admired stone structures including the old Lahn stone bridge across the river.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Do you really know how to do that?

This winter in Europe the trend for clothing and other accessories is knitting , it is all over in display at the most popular stores in Germany.  This was something we use to see when we were in our teens, the only difference then is, that it was produced by our mothers and grandmothers, today they are made most likely somewhere in a factory in Asia . In a walk downtown Frankfurt, Germany the other day my wife said, "I would like to stop to buy some knitting needles and some wool, I would like to knit a scarf" , with a surprised expression I said, "do you know how to do that?" She replied in a mild tone, "my mom did, and my grandmother as well, and they taught me when I was young" , to which I then somewhat unconvinced I said, "OK... why not!" For next couple of days I saw her knitting at a fast pace and things began quickly to take shape and form, first a base for some plates, next a couple of flowers, then a trendy...

It is not the change of season but our capacity to see beauty in the change!

Römerberg, Frankfurt - March 9, 2013 Just a few days ago the scenario of spring we found at downtown Frankfurt was marvelous, the sun was shining and blue skies were clearly on the background. We of course enjoyed the first sings of spring and savored the occasion. Just a few days latter the skies turned grey and a significant snow storm caused complete chaos in traffic and quickly the winter reins again and spring is gone, but there is beauty and life in the white landscapes as well! Kurk Park, Bad Homburg - March 12, 2013 Isn't life like this many times, when we think is spring all the sudden it turns winter again.  Often is not the change of season but our capacity to see beauty in the change that makes the difference! 

How old are our Christmas traditions?

Theatrical representation: "O Boi e o Burro" The four traditions listed below have been with us for as long as we remember, how old are they? and why do we still keep them?  1. The Nativity The representation of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, the humble yet sublime scene of Joseph and Mary with baby Jesus in the stable with the animals, the shepherds and the star was always a central ornament at the home of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Just after our wedding, we bought our own set of the nativity, that we still use until today. No other tradition has brought Christ to our Christmas more than this one! 2. Christmas Eve Reading the account of the nativity in the scriptures and theatrical representations of the nativity is a key part of Christmas Eve. Fish is the traditional meal of Christmas Eve. As far as I can tell this is a tradition that comes from the XVI century. The exact reasons for this tradition are unknown, in my p...