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56 Schloss Blutenburg

Every place has its hidden gems; you just have to find them. Follow the signs or read the signs and behold the treasures!

For me, my sign was bus number 56 to Schloss Blutenburg. I thought to myself, “Castle Blutenburg, hhhhhm. I haven't heard or seen anything about it. I must check it out.” A week later I did and WOW! I'm glad I did, I have absolutely no regrets for what I discovered waiting for me at the end station of Bus line 56 was extraordinary gothic style relics, masterpieces if you will.



Schloss Blutenburg is a moated castle on the banks of the river Würm and the original date’s way back to the 15th century and is situated in the west of Munich. The castle walls are also home to the Palace Chapel which was constructed by Sigmund of Bavaria at the beginning of the year 1488. When reading about Sigmund I found his story remarkable because normally you hear of heirs fighting for the throne, or a mademoiselle (Game of Thrones kinda thing), but in his case he stepped down in favour of his brother Albrecht IV and relocated to Blutenburg, a great win for me and you for he did wonders to the estate.  I suddenly felt like an eager student again, sitting in my contemporary culture lecture, the only difference is that I am living the events I’m being taught about.  Goose bumps and all, I go into my brain and search for the file containing the information on ‘the characteristics of Gothic architecture’.  I find it, grab it, dust it off and quickly scan through it before walking into the doors of the Palace Chapel. “Keep an eye out for pointed arches, vaulted ceilings, a light and airy interior, gargoyles or goblins, flying buttresses e.t.c,” I whispered to myself.  I walk in and silently look around, my eyes scanning and darting from floor to ceiling, from side wall to side wall and back wall to front wall. The Palace Chapel like the folds on my great grandmother’s skin displays legends of a bygone era. In awe I gawked at three original altars with its paintings (which I later read were created in 1491 by Jan Polack), intricate stained glass windows, original & restored frescoes, aged pews, an ancient Font, a regal door, pointed arches and a vaulted ceiling too.



Now, for my book loving friends, those who could, at a blink of an eye and at the drop of a hat live in a library, you’ll be interested in the following fact. The largest (in the world) International Youth Library is housed at the castle. Yes sir, yes ma’am, children and youth literature from around the world… “heaven” shouted the child in me.

And now let’s go for a walk around the castle grounds.




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