The Town of my Origins - Goslar, Germany
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325809)
Rockingham, Australia
February 1, 2016 6:22pm CST
In 2015 we travelled parts of Europe in a motor-home. By August we were in Goslar which is where my great, great, great, great grandfather was born. By coincidence, our hosts from Bavaria had connections with Goslar. The wife had been born there and her mother still lived there. This remarkable lady, in her 80s, was to prove a marvellous guide although we had little German and she had even less English. We both quickly learnt to say 'best to Google it'.
Because I have so many photos of this fascinating ancient town, I've grouped statues, artworks, etc here and will show the buildings on another post.
The first group of the photos show the Glockenspiel, a mechanical device which operates several times a day. It is located in the gable of a building – I think a hotel – on the east side of the marketplace. Many of those watching joined in singing with the melody being played. The story is that a knight's horse pawed the ground bringing up a lump of silver which the knight took to the emperor. This was in the 10th century. Since that time mining was been the main industry for many centuries.
Three doors open and figures appear through one door, pass along the front and exit through the door on the left. The first set of figures show miners with picks, shovels and wooden wheelbarrows, then the workmen are strengthening the tunnels and in the final tableau pneumatic drills and more modern equipment has been brought in.
The next photo is also much photographed by tourists and shows a bare-bottomed man expressing his disgust at the higher classes. I think that was the story. Goslar's medieval golden eagle also has a prominent position in the market place.
There was also an exhibition on in one of the old buildings. I particularly liked the 'chairs' and we enjoyed a few moments respite in these.
The 'Fat Ones' are also much photographed. I've forgotten now who sculptured these but perhaps Marlu will read this post and tell us again as I posted about them on BB some time back.
Edit: The last photo shows someone's collection of teapots in a window. Every window in the house that you could see, and it was on a corner, had teapots displayed on the sill.
17 people like this
15 responses
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
2 Feb 16
Sounds like you had a ever o be forgotten holiday in Europe.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 16
I have forgotten some of the details already. I should have written more facts and notes in my journal. Now, I'm not sure enough about some things to put them in writing.
@Dragonairy1 (1722)
• Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
2 Feb 16
They look like great figures, I'm glad you had a nice time.
3 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
2 Feb 16
I'm of German descent too @JudyEv . Maiden name is Gooch. It is exciting to learn of our history.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
3 Feb 16
@JudyEv Oh wow, ain't that somethin'. I know there was a Governor Gooch for the state of Virginia too. We even have a county there named after him; Goochland County.
1 person likes this
@Carmelanirel2 (8084)
• United States
4 Feb 16
I have to leave soon, but I wanted to tell you that I'm glad to have found another German friend. Both my parents have German background (I would say I am at least 3/4 or more German) and my cousin traced our ancestors, I think, back to Johannesburg in the 1700s. I will have to make a note to come back and view the video.
1 person likes this
@Carmelanirel2 (8084)
• United States
4 Feb 16
I just got back and watched the video, thank you for sharing. I love those homes, except I would prefer mine in the country. I also love the man and woman chairs, very interesting.
1 person likes this
@Carmelanirel2 (8084)
• United States
5 Feb 16
@JudyEv Well yeah, I consider myself an American, but with various heritages. The last small portion of my heritage is English, Irish, and maybe even some Hebrew.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Feb 16
@Carmelanirel2 Thanks for watching. I consider myself Australian as it was quite some generations ago that my ancestors left Prussia for Australia. It was good to see where they lived and worked though.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
2 Feb 16
How wonderful that you you were able to go to the town of your ancestors.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
3 Feb 16
@JudyEv It really is lovely. I love those old German buildings.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
2 Feb 16
Nice slideshow...I liked the Sitting down statues that looked like seats.... sounds like another great day....
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
3 Feb 16
@JudyEv i'm glad you did... i would not have been able to resist doing that either...lol's
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb 16
@sueznewz2 It felt a bit weird in a way, with our arms laying along theirs and our hands curved over their hands.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
2 Feb 16
Fernando Botero is the name you're looking for.
Scupltures by Fernando Botero at Rosentor (Rose Gate), Goslar, Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Germany. The two sculptures are called "Mann mit Stock" (Man with stick) and "Frau mit (altem) Schirm" (Woman with (old) umbrella). ---quotation from en.wikipedia.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 16
Thanks for that Marlu. I've added the name to my journal now in case I need it again another time.
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 16
I enjoy going through the photos and picking out ones I think you'll enjoy.
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Feb 16
How exciting for you! My ancestors are from Germany, too, but I don't know what town. I will have to see if I can find out.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 16
Visiting Goslar wasn't in our plans when we left Australia. Our son suggested it.