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Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Mathildenhohe - Art Nouveaux Colony in Darmstadt


On the left - the wedding tower - in the center - the Art Nouveaux Institute - on the right the Russian Orthodox Chapel. 


A period painting in the colony. 


The name of the art colony.


The Duchy of Hesse - Darmstadt - was the home of the Art Nouveaux Movement in the early 1900s. Duke Ernst funded a large art community in Darmstadt. The community consisted of a giant arts complex plus about 20 special cottages that housed the invited artists. The buildings are being restored under a UNESCO project funding. 

The facility is spread out over a park just east of downtown - Mathildenhohe. Today we drove the 2 miles over to the colony. We explored the displays - had a drink and snack in the gardens - and climbed the Wedding Tower - a 50 meter observation deck - to honor Ernst Ludwig's marriage to Duchess Eleanor. 


It is a tiny Russian Orthodox chapel to honor the connection on Alexandra to the Russian Czar.


The art colony is undergoing a full restoration.


Inside the Russian chapel.


Period piece - sculpture


The main entrance to the art institute. 


Waterfalls on an artist's home.


The chapel form the 150 foot tall wedding tower.


Grand Duke Ernst and Duchess Eleanore.


Finally - this beautiful white Vespa has been parked down the street from our home. That is our place in the background. This scooter was not moved one time. The guy also owns a Porsche and a BMW.  What a waste of a nice scooter - setting outside like that. :-)

In 3 days we leave Darmstadt - Germany. On to Copenhagen and London. Then home to my Vespa that has been sitting for 3 months - unridden. 

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