Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Schloss Vollrads




My last post was depressing...even to me. Things are looking up. We are all healthy now (everyone got sick but Kevin) and we even found a beautiful home. We get to move in, in two more weeks. Yahoo!!! Somehow knowing that makes living in the hotel for 14 more days a bit more tolerable.

Saturday we ventured out to see some of the local architecture. Schloss Vollrads is about 15 mins. away from our hotel. The original palace, built in the first third of the 14 century, consisted of the tower you see below surrounded by a rectangular moat that is only accessible by bridge. It was inhabited by a family who shaped the destiny of the palace and viticulture (vineyards) at Vollrads up to the days of our time: the dynasty of the Barons of Greiffenclau.

The building of the actual palace – next to the massive tower that Goethe described as »unusual« during his visit in 1814 – was commissioned by Georg Philipp von Greiffenclau in 1684. Subsiquent heirs continued to add to the palace and gardens over the next several hundred years.
With the untimely death of Erwein Count Matuschka-Greiffenclau († 1997), the proprietorship of SCHLOSS VOLLRADS and its vineyards passed to the Nassauische Sparkasse (Nassau Savings Bank). It carries on the estate’s great viticultural tradition.



The gardens are amazing. We arrived quite early in the morning and some of the grounds were gated off, but we hope to go back when we can wander through the stone paths, vivid blossoms and follage. There is also a restaruant inside one of the side buildings that we were told has excellent food. If any of you care to venture over to our side of the world for a visit, I promise to take you there, my treat.






16 comments:

Kris said...

Awesome, thanks for sharing. 14 more days in a hotel!! You can do it!! So is this also the house you found to live in?? I'm glad everyone is feeling better. Take care.

Unknown said...

I am sooo glad to hear that you are all better again and it is so fun to see all the beautiful pictures! What an amazing opportunity to go to such a neat place not once, but twice! I know how badly you wanted to go back to Germany, I wish you happiness, health and a lot of adventure! We love you!

Unknown said...

I am happy to hear that you are all finally feeling better. Congrats on finding a house. It will be nice when you guys get in. Best of luck in Germany.

Melanie Anne said...

I am so sorry that you were sick for the big move--what a nightmare for you. I am so happy to hear that you are all doing better and that you found a home!! Yeah--we are in that process right now and it has been very stressful. We sold our home really fast--but I can not seem to find one in TN. I am sorry you ahve 14 more days in a hotel! Hang in there! I will be praying for you!!

The Neal Family said...

Glad to hear your all well again. I love your updated photos. You guys always take the best pictures. I hope everything continues to go well for you all. Seeing your castle photos makes me miss Germany so much. I just hope we will be able to make it over there to visit while your still there. Wish you the best for the rest of your move!

Sterzers said...

Looks like it is beautiful there. We're so glad you found a house! I'm excited to see what it looks like. Miss you guys!

Danae said...

What a wonderful adventure!

Heather said...

It is so pretty there.....I miss it! you guys are lucky! What a great adventure

Emma Hox said...

I know all about hotel living. I stayed in a hotel 5 days a week for 14 weeks at one point.

Then we also have stayed 2 months in the hotel after one of our other moves.

It's hard but you will love your house all the more.

Be sure to show pictures of the house as soon as you can.

Amy said...

Yeah!! Email me and tell me all about the house. So glad everyone is feeling better. Seeing those pictures makes me realize how much I miss all you guys! GIve them all a kiss for me! Love you!

Kabe 'n Dave said...

YAY! I'm so glad you found a house! And I'm glad you're all better! We miss you guys.

Seangela said...

Hi Marnie! You look amazing! You are more beautiful than ever!! And so skinny!! Glad you made it safely to Germany and found a house. I hope the rest of your summer is wonderful. Enjoy Deutschland!!

Erin said...

Wow, it sounds amazing, Marnie. I just love how you guys get out and see all the neat places. Not even wasting a moment to go on your adventures. How neat!
I'm very glad that you are all healthy now and finally have a home to move into. It sounds like a wonderful house, and I know you will have it personalized and cute in no time!

kristine said...

OOH.. I can't tell you how I wish I were there with you! Travis is staying with friends in Bann where we used to live. You can email him and you can get together before he leaves. We would love that! Enjoy the fabulous adventures ahead!

Unknown said...

Angie send us your e-mails and am so glad you and family are feeling better. It will fun to fix up your new home. You all are missed in Rockwall...especially Woodcreek! Lots of love from Dee.

Brittany said...

WOW WOW WOW!!!! that is beautiful! I wish I could come tomorrow to see it all with you (well, maybe I would give you time to move in!)