When I first arrived in Heidelberg, to study, I learned
the university was founded in 1386. Students were already
studying in Latin at this university before Columbus
discovered America in 1492. Imagine how old!
During our August trip to Vienna, we traveled north of the city
to visit and tour the Klosterneuburg Monastery founded
in 1114 by Leopold III who later became the patron saint of Austria.
We traversed ancient stone corridors. Two pipe organs sounded
hauntingly beautiful melodies. Imagine the rich history!
The Verduner Altar, made in 1181 by Nicholas of Verdun has
three parts containing 45 gilded copper plates similar to the Shrine
of the Three Kings at the Cologne Cathedral. Leopold also endowed
the Monastery with vineyards, Austria’s oldest existing vineyards.
Overlooking the Danube River, this Augustinian monastery houses
a museum, library, art gallery and the wine cellar. We left prayers
for loved ones and were awed at the architecture and history.
Dr. Mary Ann Niemczura 
Your visit to Kloster Neubrunn must have been not just a cultural experience for you, but also a great spiritual event in your life, Mary Ann.
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Peter – you hit the nail on the head! Thank you for the insightful comment. It was both as a tourist for the first visit and as a woman of faith. Yes, it was a great spiritual event. For over 900 years, religious and others have walked on the same stone corridors. Amazing history! I was a part of it for a few hours. Memories are engraved in my heart and mind. Enjoy the weekend.
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I love to visit these old religious communities and their buildings. The atmosphere is charged with all those years of prayer and song. I hope you are enjoying your weekend, Mary Ann.
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Clare, thank you for the lovely comment. Your description of a charged atmosphere is accurate. It is awesome to walk on the ancient stones. Beautiful weather to savor before winter sets in. Hope you have a great weekend.
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Thank you, Mary Ann; it’s been very good.
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Always a pleasure, Clare. Enjoy the week! “”__””
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Liebe Mary Ann,
beachtenswert ,welcher Eindruck von Dir von den Kulturstätten und Kulturgütern der ” Alten Welt” in Deiner Reiseberichterstattung vermittelt wird. Seit vielen ,vielen Jahren besuchen wir Kulturgüter in ganz Europa mit großem Interesse und Begeisterung.Oft ist es eine Faszination in die Historie einzusteigen. Auch für uns gilt es,noch viele Dinge zu entdecken und in die Geschichte Einblick zu bekommen. Durch die vielen außergewöhnlichen Kulturstätten in Europa verliert man ein wenig das Bewußtsein für außergewöhnliche historische Gegebenheiten.
Es ist gut zu lesen, wie Euere nicht alltägliche Reise tiefe bleibende Eindrücke bewirkt hat,an die Ihr Euch sicher noch lange erinnern werdet.
Alles Liebe und Gute für Dich ,liebe Mary Ann , Russell und Deine Familie
Dein Arno
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Lieber Arno,
Geschichte hat mich schon immer fasziniert und war eines meiner Nebenfächer an der Universität. Als ich durch die heiligen Hallen des Klosters ging, stellte ich mir das Leben vor wie vor 900 Jahren. Wie die Mönche lebten, arbeiteten, beteten und sangen, faszinierte mich.
Liebe Grüße für Dich, Deine Lilly und Deine Familie.
Deine Mary Ann
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