St. Georg Church, Ruhpoldling!

St. Georg Church, Ruhpoldling!

Imagine the warmth and comfort of a quiet bed, a comfy down duvet pulled up --- telling yourself you are just going to rest for “a bit” but ... 11 years ago

Imagine the warmth and comfort of a quiet bed, a comfy down duvet pulled up --- telling yourself you are just going to rest for “a bit” but passing out for close to 2 hours all the same!

That was my day yesterday, and after the travel all day before, I needed it.  Naps are bliss!

I awoke at a bit past 4pm – daylight was coming to an end, and yet I still had 2-1/2 hours before we were gathering for dinner.

The little voice inside my head said “Don’t waste the last of this magical day – get out and see what there is to see!

This is the view from my hotel room window ---isn’t it beautiful?

I bundled up –it’s cold outside, and gently snowing. Down jacket, over turtle neck sweater, scarf wrapped around my neck to keep the evening breeze from biting.  Got gloves? Check!  Camera? Check!

My new hiking boots bought just a week a go and broken in by daily use while up at the cabin fit my feet like gloves, the tread gripping the snow crusted pavement and keeping me from slipping head-over-tea kettle as I climbed the road to St Georges church:

St George Church up on the hill!

I love the bulbous silhouette of the onion shaped domes upon many of the churches we have driven past today on our drive to this part of Bavaria.  Up and up I hike to get closer.

Huffing and puffing I stop to take this photo.

Getting closer, but still a ways to climb!

How is it possible that one day I’m at home in North Carolina, and the next I am here?

This little chapel/shrine is at the top of the hill at the bend in the road, just before reaching the church.

And here I am!

Though I couldn’t get inside, I found the following on a web search here:

Construction of this hilltop church began in 1738, though it was not consecrated by Bishop Franz Truchsess of Chiemsee until 1754.

Gunezrhainer, the court’s master architect, kept the exterior façade simple. Yet everyone is certain to be touched by the harmony which radiates from the interior of this house of worship, by the monumental power of the high altar and by the artistic beauty of the carved saintly figures.

The crowning glory of the shimmering golden Rococo interior of St. George's is undoubtedly on the left side of the chancel, a feature unmatched anywhere else in Bavaria. The golden case of the right-hand side altar houses the church’s most significant sculpture, the Romanesque Madonna from the 12th century. Its creator and origins are unknown.

If I can get inside during our time here, I sure will.  Today is Sunday, perhaps in the afternoon I can go back?

The church is locked up tight –so my only option was to continue to explore the grounds before it got too dark and it was time to head on back down the hill toward town and warm hotel and dinner with fellow travelers.

Around the back of the church are stairs leading to a cemetery.

Loved ones remembered, and watched over by surrounding mountains.

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

The one Christmas hymn I know in German comes to mind.

I am thinking of my German heritage on my mom’s side.  I wish I knew these people, my ancestors.

Up and up the terraced sections toward the shrine on top

Advent in Bavaria.

There are many wreaths and lit candles burning atop the resting places of those gone before us.

Families kept close in hearts

From the top of the cemetery I turn to take in the mountains around me, the church spire standing sentinel through the centuries, mostly unchanged over time--

My last glance as I turn back towards town before it gets to dark to find my way – my new friends are waiting!

Lights are coming on all over town ---

Up the street and around the corner I go ---

Our home, Hotel zur Post, dating back to the 1100’s!

In fact, the name "Ruhpolding" originates from the Bavarian word Rupoltingin and means "the people of the strong famous one". The town is mentioned as Ruhpoldingen for the first time in 1193, about the time that this hotel was first founded--

This inn was functional 500 years before St Georg church was founded.  Just think about it.  Doesn't that blow your mind? I know it does mine.

We will be here for three more nights ---our excursions taking us out and around this area.

This morning, following breakfast, we board our motor coach and drive to Lake Chiemsee, board a boat that will take us across the lake to Herrenschiemsee Castle.

And our adventure in Germany continues!

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