Osterbrunnen, decorated Easter fountain by P. Eckert Sticky post

“Osterbrunnen”, the decorated Easter Fountains in Franconia

Decorating an “Osterbrunnen” is a German tradition of sprucing up public fountains with garlands and painted eggs for Easter. It began in the early 20th century in the Upper Franconia (Fränkische Schweiz) but also has spread to other regions. The decoration is usually kept from Good Friday until two weeks after Easter Continue reading “Osterbrunnen”, the decorated Easter Fountains in Franconia

Hofbräuhaus 1908 New York

A Hofbräuhaus opened in 1908, but not in Munich

August L. Janssen, the future “Wirt” and proprietor of the Hofbräuhaus in New York City was born in Emden, Germany. At age 20 and after attending the University of Göttingen in the year of 1887, young Janssen, as so many other Germans at that time, took a ship to NY city in the hope to immigrate to America After Janssen arrived in the US he … Continue reading A Hofbräuhaus opened in 1908, but not in Munich

Ackerhaus betthaupt, painted folk art

Traditional painted furniture, the “Bauernmöbel”

Cover photo above: Work of a Peony Rose painter anno 1784, a painted filk art headboard in the Ackerhus Museum. The fillings show the two seasons of Spring and Summer in the form of two women. When King Max II (1811–1864) wanted to connect to the peasants, he began actively promoting the art and customs of the people in the 19th century. With his doing … Continue reading Traditional painted furniture, the “Bauernmöbel”

German Chocolate Christmas calendar

A sweet surprise, first day of Advent until Christmas

Christmas time for us children growing up in Germany was an exciting time. From the 1st December to the 24th, we were allowed to eat Chocolate in the morning, which normally would be a tabu during the year. We woke up early every day in Advent to look forward to open a little door at the Christmas calendar hanging on the wall, and there we discovered a sweet little treasure, surprise inside Continue reading A sweet surprise, first day of Advent until Christmas

Leonhardifahrt, South Bavaria

Leonhardifahrt, a horse and carriage procession in Bavaria

The famous Leonhardifahrt or Leonhardiritt in South Bavaria is a solemn pilgrimage of horses and cattle in early November to honor the patron St. Leonhard. The magnificently decorated four wheeled horse drawn carriages, lead by a coachmen, come from near and far in the early hours and ride the streets and alleys of Bavarian towns. Continue reading Leonhardifahrt, a horse and carriage procession in Bavaria