WARNING: This blog contains copious amounts of adult GAY material. If that's offensive to you, please leave now. All pix have been gleaned from the internets so, if you see a picture of yourself that you don't wish to have posted here, please leave a comment on the post and I will remove it with my apologies.I REPEAT: If you see a picture of yourself that you don't wish to have posted here, please leave a comment on the post and I will remove it with my apologies.
Wow! That one home has it's own funicular! Cool!
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ReplyDeleteDelete and Repost for some Editing... grrrr....
ReplyDeleteHey Rick - great pics of architecture as usual! Even particular architectural styles that I don't appreciate much, you seem to find some outstanding examples of their characteristics.
I was particularly impressed with you featuring Schloss Vitzenburg (Vitzenburg Palace, the first image)! I often fluctuate between what should be saved and renovated vs what we could let go and either allow to decay and/or be razed; pragmatically, we can't save everything (nor should it deserve restoration status!). So many factors play into decisions that determine their fates, but I have always believed that the Vitzenburg Palace was one that deserved restoration status.
It's current form was primarily erected toward the end of the 17th Century (including modifications to the original structures), it was built (mainly) in the Neo-Renaissance style and was the home of many families of note in Germany. These families including the von Münchhausen family of which the titular character of the movie "The Adventures of Baron von Munchhausen" was loosely based on a "colorful" member.
Described by many as one of the most beautiful examples of the style, it sits quietly among rolling hills and vineyards in an almost too perfect natural setting and because of the location and it's exterior and gardens have been used for many exterior shots in movies.
Unfortunately, the castle was sold and traded several times as family heirs died out and during World War II the current Baron was thrown in a concentration camp where he died. After the war, the property was conscripted by the Russians but then eventually became a school and then a psychiatric hospital that closed in 1996 and effectively abandoned. For a while, the grounds and gardens were maintained and opened to the public, but I believe that access ended and is private property once again. Currently, it's owned by heirs whose ancestors previously resided there, but they have closed it to the public and stated that they have no interest or plans to restore or renovate the castle.
Of course, Urbex adventurers have gotten in and made many videos about it - here's a great one (done with owners permission) with history and some great interior shots -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-knpFKvO8c
A shame really - this place could be spectacular if restored!