Homework 1: for August 31, 2011

 Homework 1: for August 31, 2011: 


The two topics I selected to study the are Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust at Brühl and Wartburg Castle.  To become familiar with the topics I began with a Wikipedia search followed with the available UNESCO information.  


I selected these topics because I have always had a personal intrigue with historic castles; the people that build them and the marvels of historic engineering.  


Wartburg Castle:
          Links:
          ---Unesco
          ---Wikipedia


        Wikipedia introduces Wartburg Castle as a 410 meter mansion overlooking the town of Eisenach of Thuringia. The castle was added by UNESCO to the World Heritage List in 1999 for "Cultural Values of Universal Significance".   The name Wartburg Castle is a play on words in German Berg is mountain and Burg is fortress henting a sense of humor to the name. Originally founded in 1068 by the count of Schauenburg, Ludwig der Springer the Castle is an stunning fortress.  With a gate behind a drawbridge as the only access in and has remained the same throughout the centuries.


        Throughout the more length UNESCO read I found that throughout the ages the castle has been a political and militarily powerhouse in the local region.  As a Lutheran I found it interesting to see Martin Luther stayed in secret focusing on literature and translating the New Testament into German.  Sense the 19th century the Castle has undergone reasonable amounts of remodeling / interior design.  To day restoration work conecntrates on interiours and the problems of preserving the stonework.


Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust at Bruhl:
          Links:
          ---Unesco
          ---Wikipedia


          The Castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust are a historical complex in Bruhl, Norh Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. They were built in the early 18th century by the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne, Clemens August of Bavaria of the Wittelsbach family and have been listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1984.  The buildings making up the complex are connected by beautiful gardens and trees of the Schlosspark.  The main building of the Augustusburg Palace is a U-shaped building designed by Johann Conrad Schlaun and François de Cuvilliés. While the Falkenlust, known for its glorious staircase, was built from 1729 to 1740, in the style of the Amalienburg hunting lodge in the park of Nymphenburg Palace by François de Cuvilliés.


          UNESCO has a very visual and detailed description of the entire palace complex along with gallery of stunning images and a short video to really get a feel for the place.  The designs of the Falkenlust include amazing pictures of falcons and falconry associated activity.  Apparently the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne was quite the falconer.  The video also mentions a small chapel in the woods decorated with rock covered shell decoration.  A very intricate and delicate style originating in France.  Most unique is the domed ceiling with so minimal columns for support.  The birthing place for German style Rococo decor.