What’s Your Preference?

equilution · #1 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 01:29 PM

...so, on the way to Zugspitze, Rheinhard asks in a thick German accent, "...so, do you want to see a beautiful church?" What am I gonna say...."NO???" Boy was I in for a treat. This church wasn't much to look at from the outside, but once inside the doors, I got all lightheaded. I was speechless, and thought, there's no way I'm going to do this place justice. So here are a few from the inside.

It was undergoing a very lengthy restoration. After I was done shooting, we were about to walk out the door. In fact, Rheinhard had already walked out, when a tattered old woman's voice came out of the heavens..."Möchten Sie hier heraufkommen?" Looking around, and being the only one (I thought) in the church, I thought my time had come and I was hearing the angels! "Rheinhard!!!" I called in a little girl's voice. After a few moments that felt like ten years, I looked up and saw this beautiful, aged, paint stained, woman peering down over the scaffolding, again repeating the phrase, "Möchten Sie hier heraufkommen?" By this time, Rheinhard had bolstered back in responding to my little-girl cries. Rheinhard translated and told me she was inviting me up the top of the scaffolding for a better view. Whew!!! Suffice it to say, we were in fact privileged to be allowed to ascend to the heavens for a bird's eye view, a perspective I'm sure that the parishoners of the church had never been privy to. Sorry to be long winded, but I thought I'd share this story.

Enjoy the view!!
...about 50' up!

From the ground up...check out the original size for this amazing detail! That's the biggest church organ I've ever seen. I wish I could have heard its pipes!!

The church is much older than this, 500+ years in fact, but here's a pew with a plate from 1806 reserving the parishioners place in this glorious hall

...and finally, a statue that all but brought a tear to my eye, being painstakingly restored.

Thanks for looking. There are so many more church pics to share. I'll try to upload them to my website and post a link later. Scroll down for a few more on this page.

skyline photo · #2 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 01:33 PM

that is a wonderful find. great shots. looks like your enjoying your self quite a bit. I am quite envious. I'm sitting here at work in houston wishing I was anywere else but here, with my camera of course. look forward to future post. take care and enjoy

Preacherman · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 01:38 PM

No apology needed Jim. There are so many churches like this all across Europe, where you would walk straight past them as too boring, but when inside......! The work here is stunning and you were privileged to ascend up to the heavenly heights. thankfully not the final call. Too many shots still to share and take yet mate. Thanks. PAUL

dvetter · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 01:40 PM

Jim, I figured they would start coming out of the wood work. Rheinhard asks in a thick German accent, "...so, do you want to see a beautiful church?" Thank you Rheinhard huh?
With your spin on these shots the 2nd and 3rd ...Amazing!

equilution · #5 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 01:43 PM

I'll just let the pics speak for themselves....I would have loved to have spent the entire day in here with all my good lighting equipment!! Wow! You have GOT to see the full size pics to appreciate the detail.

Tenzin'sMom · #6 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 01:44 PM

What an amazing set -- a beautiful church indeed. And I'm so glad you shared the story -- it really helps me to imagine your experience. What painstaking work that restoration must be, and with such wonderful results. Looking forward to more!

SoxAddict · #7 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 01:53 PM

Ypur thread gave me a double-edged experience here Jim - made me laugh aloud reading your commentary, and simultaneously look in wonderment at the fabulous images you took. How ornate, it's gorgeous. Quite an honor to get to see it from the bird's eye view too - thank God for Rheinhard! He obviously "knows" people! Love your pew shot especially, a very neat perspective.

bascott · #8 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 02:54 PM

WOW, that is a beautiful church and you captured it very well.

fstopMike · #9 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 02:54 PM

What a privilege to be invited up to see the work up close. Amazing shots! The moral of the story is, always answer when opportunity knocks! Thanks for sharing these and your amazing story. What an adventure.