It's Satyreday! Let the bacchanalia commence!!! Bacchus the God of wine, vegetation, fertility, festivity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, and theatre, shall be my guide today 😀 Ritual madness and (religious) ecstasy sounds good...

Another night of beautiful music in a wonderful palace. I had the chance to take my guests to Rastatt palace and enjoy the music. It's an unforgettable experience and I'm just glad I could be a part of it.

Strasbourg again. By now I've been there about 10 times in my life and every time I discover something new. The last pic must be fairly new "graffiti". Amazing day!

Not just flowers. Last week I had the chance to visit BUGA²³ with some guests and it was a really fun experience. It's the biggest garden (industry) show in Germany which takes place every two years. I enjoyed my time there. There are two separate areas, one is the old BUGA'75 Luisenpark and the new Spinelli Park where the US Army/ Nato was stationed until 2013. Here are some shots of things that caught my eye. Hope you like it.

A capital from the church of Santa Maria de Besalú in the beautiful region of Catalonia, Spain. Most of Europe's Romanesque architecture was inspired and formed by the Normans in the 11th and 12th century. I love capitals like this, because it combines the style and individuality of a figural capital with the aesthetic standing of a corinthian capital. A smart use of those bishop staffs makes this capital look very similar to a standard corinthian capital. But in this one it also makes the guy, whose lost one eye look a bit like a pirate 😉. Seen in the Normans exhibition at the REM Mannheim.

This is an arch/ window in the hall under the great balcony of Heidelberg Castle. It's on the oldest approach to the castle. It was probably constructed in 1603, replacing the former network of fortifications on the north side of the castle. And when I passed it yesterday it reminded me that the times might be dark, but I'm certain if we try hard and work together we can make it through. Plus; our planet is just beautiful.

Guess where I am. Ok I admit I totally tagged the location, as always. I managed to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle. But together with the wife and kids I escaped to Limburg and der Lahn. This place is one of a select few that survived the last 700 years without mayor destruction. The worst thing that happened to it was bombing of the western city in WW2 and the horrible treatment of the monuments in the 1970s. The cathedral is amazing. I was a bit disappointed because you can't go and see the upper levels. Big surprise.

Evening mood. Heidelberg Castle and some beautiful colours.

Naughty lions and other sculptural shenanigans. This is what Casterly Rock would look like if it was designed by Tyrion Lannister. 3/4

Here come some more detailed shots. Sorry about the many fish eyes. In the tight space and on the guided tour this was my weapon of choice to get as many shots as possible. 2/4

Over the last couple of days we spent some time in Thuringia. And of course once there we didn't want to miss the Wartburg. In art history terms this is the definition of a party castle. Looks defendable but is absolutely for representational purposes. So unsurprisingly the castles history is full of peaceful events (sometimes controversial in nature). I really liked guessing which parts were more or less original and which ones additions of the 19th century... Split the post up in 3 parts. Enjoy 1/4

Spent yesterday afternoon in Strasbourg. Before I got there I had loads of ideas what I'd do. Top of my list: the cathedral. But it was so busy and I had limited time. Didn't want to spend it queuing... So I looked for some other cool stuff and came across l'église de Saint Pierre le Jeune. An absolute gem. If you're into crazy, colourful and slightly rebellious/ different gothic architecture then you have to go and check it out. They have a fundraiser for urgent conservation work. I know it's not saving lives, and if you don't feel it, don't give anything, but I gave them a small amount when I was there. Hope you live it as much as I did. And that rood screen... 🔥🤘

This was in one of my first posts on here. It's the former gunpowder tower. In German with the beautiful name "Krautturm" this was the most important fortification on the southern side. When the fortifications were slighted in 1693, the tower was blown up and one third came off and landed in the moat. It has been off limits ever since I started working here, but I'm dying to see the inside...

That's why I bring my camera to the office. Sometimes I get the chance to snap a really cool pic. (If I do say so myself)

Schwetzingen at it's best. Like a holiday destination around the corner. Always sunny always pretty. I only heard about the mosquitoes in the past today. You were eaten alive. Thank god for citronella 😜

Heidelberg in springtime. A breathtaking sight. 400 years ago one of the most uncertain times in Heidelberg began. The Catholic League started to get support from Spain. The beginning of the end...

In a castle rich in mason marks and stone carving of high artistic value this little gem sits in a tiny opening in a corner of the courtyard. But of course this wasn't always the case. It used to be a double archway and this it's center pillar. So I'm guessing this was the coat of arms of the people who ruled here. This is Wildenberg Castle. Most famous for being the castle where Wolfram von Eschenbach wrote book five of the Parzival saga.

After more than a year I'm back with a post... Inside Colognes prestigious city hall is the earliest known depiction of the NINE WORTHIES. Or NINE GOOD HEROES. (NEUN GUTE HELDEN ) It's a 13th century carving of nine "important" men in our history. From the left: The three Christians; Charlemagne Arthur Godfrey de Boillon The three Pagans; Julius Caesar Hector Alexander the Great And the three Jews; David Joshua Judas Maccabeus Hope you like it guys and thank you Peter for inspiring a comeback.

"For the night is dark and full of terrors." This quote from a popular tv show reminded me of the Kristallnacht from the first time I heard it. For quite some time now I've been wondering if "the long night" mentioned repeatedly in this show might actually be a methaphor for a cycle of ever returning fascism and xenophobia which we have yet to break out of. It worries me deeply that people in this day and age can still be blinded by simple people offering simple solutions to complex problems. We can only move foreward if we face our fears of the differences between us and focus on the similarities, accept and tolerate each other. This day 80 years ago does not mark the begining of a new pogrom, but a new level of escalation in one that had already been going on for some time. And the more people in Germany downplay these events the more determined I am to talk about them as often as possible. #wakeup #neveragain #nerverforget #schoah #interfaithharmony #tolerance #nazisfuckoff #fckafd #kristallnacht #80years #erinnerungskultur

It's been a while. I've been a little busy with what feels like a million projects... This beatiful thing here is the facade of la Basilique de Saint-Nicolas-de-Port, a gothic cathedral of the flamboyant persuasion and since I happen to be a fan of said style, I had to go and see it. The architecture is spot on even if the village of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port is kind of so-so. Unfortunately the cathedral is surrounded quite closely by a lot of houses, which means this was the best I could do for a Photo of it's facade. The church was built in the 15th and 16th century and has suffered quite a bit in the 30 years war, when it was set on fire in 1635. Love to all who read this all the way to down here!

Incredible fresco painting on the cupola of Bruchsal palace. It was too big for my wideangle lens btw, this is all I could get with the camera lying on the floor, cheking the composition on the flip out screen. Original was done by the ( at least in this oart of Germany at the time renown painter Johannes Zick in 1752 --> see my other post about his son. After Bruchsal had been hit by clusterbombs in the eve of the war ending and the palace fell victim to the flames, it has been restored to former glory by Karl Manninger from Pöcking in 1966. This is reconstruction and resauration of the highest quality I have ever seen.

Living in Heidelberg you don't have to venture very far to see some really nice, original, maybe slightly restaurated half timbered architecture. In this one you can clearly see how the middle part is older and then, because the circumstances changed they added that part n the right in a kind of lean to style construction.

Oldie but goldie! A rare sight these days (both the VW bus and facade of this building...) Found this one in the archives while looking for an old Joseph Beuys felt suit picture to show off to a friend.

Jesuit Church Door Heidelberg Buillt as a beautiful baroque church with a facade in the Il Gesú style between 1712 and 1759, the Jesuit church was the heart of Heidelbergs Jesuit Quarters. Love the details of this door and I'm not sure whether or not this is chewing gum there in the middle... What do you think?

Corfe Castle Keep built by William the Conqueror, it was a fortification on the route from Swanage to Wareham and it might have been one of the first castles at least partly built in stone when most castles were still built in earth and timber. It was destroyed in the English Civil War when it was held by Royalists. After this stonghold had fallen it was slighted by order of the "Roundheads" Now it's owned by the National Trust, Grade I listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument ( and as it happens one of my most favourite castles in the world) shot on my trusty Nikon D60 2010 #tbtobviously

Supraporta by Januarius Zick 1754 in a stucco frame by Johann Michael Feichtmayr around the same time. Probably heavily damaged in WW2 and restaurated by Wolfgang Körberl 1966 Captured by stucco like Andromeda by Cetus. Salvation is near though, not in the shape of Perseus and Pegasus, but in that of a presentation I have to give on Cologne Cathedrals construction drawings.

Wolfgang Plöger >after this comes that before that comes this< 2017 Another piece from that really nice show @heidelberger_kunstverein . I still think about his work (which in my book means it was really good) and the one thing that amazes me the most is probably the fact he really seems to understand how to combine the minimalist asthetic of the 60s and 70s of a Ron Davis and a Sol LeWitt with contemporary media and issues. So that's what sets him apart from many other artists. Bottom line: I love his stuff.

#lookupcrew Stucco and lamp in the great dining hall with hunting motifs at #schlossschwetzingen ~1753 This is the Baroque/Roccoco stucco I mentioned in an earlier post! Iconographically this room is dominated by the four seasons and hunting scenes. The great but relatively unknown Stuccoartist Giuseppe Antonio Albucci was responsible for the decoration. The beautiful lamp in the middle is one of many and as far as I know they were made in Nürnberg and they are galvanized iron sheet with emaille paint applied!

Another one of my favourite little details in Heidelbergs historicist/Jugendstil architecture. Literally a headstone (in German this doesn't even work, because they are just called "Schlussstein" as in "Final Stone") this one is decorated with the head of a woman with some flowers in her hair, one I always interpret as Ceres, the Roman godess of agriculture. But maybe I'm wrong in that idea and they just loved flowers. Such Protohippies!

The ÖVA Haus @mannheim 2000 Striffler + Striffler Architekten GmbH Similar to my last post on contemporary architecture, this is a really beautiful example of humanizing the facade of a building. The sharp angle at this side of the building and its negative space set the scene for these rows of rusty sheetmetal that givee you this sense of human scale and sort of mimics a staircase. Also if you take a look at photos of the interior it has a proper franklloydwrightian feel to it...

The little Owl at Minervas feet Gabriel Grupello ~1700 Originally at Düsseldorfs Schloss Benrath the sculpture of Minerva and her personified wisdom came to Schwetzingens Garden in around 1770. Peter Anton von Verschaffelt had to restore it to it's original glory, but ever since then the cute little thing has been coming up from behind the banner of war, bringing the smarter options back to the table...

Renaissance Stucco! Thoughout the last weeks I have seen enough Baroque and Roccoco stucco to last me a lifetime. And to be quite honest, I don't enjoy them too much. A lot of those shapes seem so superficial and symmetrical. This stucco here at the English Wing of #heidelbergcastle has shapes that look way more organic and natural, reminiscent of snails and sea ears or ormers with the odd bird or two thrown in for good measure...

Abraham Cruzvillegas (born 1968, Mexico City) Energy and Process / "Autoconstruccíon" project Mexican visual artist and sculptor. Best known for his work with found objects. Artists like Cruzvillegas present arthistorians with a specific proble: It seems like their whole life is an ongoing piece of art or art project. Which also means you can never write a definite essay on their work. But that is a good thing in a sense, because it reminds us ( or at least me) that weather we consider a work of art "finished" or not doesn't change the fact that it's meaning will always and constantly shift. One of my professors always says when you have seen, or rather smelled, Jeanette Chistensens "Ostentatio Vulnerum"( which sadly I haven't) your comprehension of Caravaggios "Incredulity of Thomas" will be changed forever. This part of Cruzvillegas' work started when he was staying in Cove Park on the west coast of Scotland in 2008 and shows over 400 pieces of paper, painted red and which symbolise the urban sprawl. Needless to say I absolutely love his work and approach to art in general. Shot on my trusty Nikon D60 2012

Air Well/ Ventilation Shaft 1906-1913 Heidelberg Gaisberg This building has fascinated me ever since I've seen it for the first time and now I've finally found out what it is! When the railroad along the Neckar river was build in the early 20th century, they needed a ventilation shaft and machine room ( I guess for the vent and it's engine...) That's what this building used to be, but now the tunnel uses a modern ventilation system and this place has become a private home sometime post 1971. Love the architecture, would love to see the inside, if you live there or know the people who do...

The European Building 2007 -2016 Home to the European Council and Council of the European Union, designed by Philippe Samyn and Partners, who was collaborating with Studio Valle Progettazioni, and @burohappoldengineering. Warning: thought-dumping ahead! Now; If you have seen my feed you probably know I don't post a heck of a lot of modern/ post modern/ contemporary architecture (this is the first) And it's not always because I don't think it's beautiful. It's usually because it doesn't do anything for me. I can't identify with it, it doesn't speak to me or touch me. It's often nice, but boring... See, I don't know what it is about this building, but when I saw it for the first time it felt like we immediately connected, maybe it's because it incorporates the art deco Résidence Palace on the right, uses the wood of its window frames as a way to carry some of the style foreward. Maybe it's the fact, that those recycled window frames allow you to have a look into the soul of Europe but also reflect the surroundings to show you the EU is to a certain degree a product of our time and mentality. I do have a lot more thoughts on the matter but this is too long as it is...

Beautiful head on the facade of the Fredericks Wing at #schlossheidelberg . I feel torn between loving the look of moss growing on it and knowing for a fact, that the elements and nature will slowly destroy this amazing castle. That's aslo what make monument conservation such a hard but worthwhile job. But as one of my professors put it: "Think of yourself as a delaying factor to an inevitable result"

#shoottheshooter Basically this is what it looks like when I run around in baroque/ roccoco palaces taking pictures of every detail I deem interesting. And sometines I notice my reflection in a mirror and think: well, doesn't look to bad with this as a backdrop. So here is one from my latest visit at #schlossbruchsal

First attempt to kind of combine street and architecture photography. I really liked this moment in Mannheims #Jungbusch there are a lot of beautiful Gründerzeit brick houses there. The whole district was built when Mannheim/ Ludwigshafen became two really important inland port in the time around 1870. As one of the only parts of Mannheim it survived the air raids in world war 2 and fell into despair with the rise of trucks. But i really love the architecture there. It reminds me of parts of Boston in the 90s.

Little journey into the past, inspired by my friend @new_generation_artcollector . I knew I still had this shot somewhere in the depths of my external harddrive... I remember how happy I was to spot this and immideately recognise the handywork of invader. That was in November 2007. Oh man... quite a long time ago.

The dome or cupola of The Red Mosque Schwetzingen Placae Gardens Nicolas de Pigage 1779 Built as the "centerpiece" of the Jardin Turc in Schwetzingens Gardens the red mosque is the expression of the height of the so called "Turc Fashion" a subcategory of Orientalism. It hints at the onset of enlightenment and shows how openminded and curious people at the time were. It was not planned as a place of worship, but an extravagant place to possibly host parties and "visit the orient" without actually having to go to the trouble and discomfort of travelling there. Love the mix of style ranging from late gothic to palladian. Probably will spent some more time looking into it's beautiful architecture and mysterious history and all it's amazing details.

Pan Simon Peter Lamine 1774 sitting in the garden of Schwetzingen palace, playing his everhaunting Syrinx. Quite literally, because the Nymph Syrinx was one of Pans love interests and as he was pursuing her she ran to a rivers edge and sought refuge with the river nymphs and was turned into a hollow water reed. Pan was furious and breathing heavy when he realized those reeds made a sweet sound. So he cut the to different sizes and voila, his famous instrument was born and his lovedone killed all in the same moment. You've got to hand it to the greeks. They really are the fathers of tragic-turn-of-events style lovestories!

I've been lazy for a while... These are the wonderful stairs at the back of a house in Heidelbergs old town. I think those were put in at around 1906 and the house is slightly older than that. I need to give it further inspection. And I know everyone posts photos of stairs, but usually they are quite symmetric and frankly a bit boring. My style of composition when it comes to photography is very symmetric and if you've seen any of my other posts you already know this. But when it comes to architecture, what gets my heart really racing, is when whoever built it has to come up with new solutions to a problem. When they they break the rules, do things radically different than anything that has come before, even if they only do it for the sake of being different. So I guess the conclusion here is that in my field (and many others) there are two ways of looking at things. On the one hand you have the perfectionists, the classicists, the conservatives and on the other end the revolutionists, progressives and modernists even the romanticists. And somewhere in between there is me on this spectrum, because in reality there is no black and white. That's all in our head.

Crocodile at the German Pharmacy museum in Heidelberg’s beautiful castle. Obscure and rare animals have been a way to promote themselves for pharmacies in the middle ages and early modern days. As the fame of a pharmacy and its remedies would spread, people would refer to it by saying: "You know, the one with the crocodile" so suspending rare and scary animals was advertisement in a way. Imagine companies and businesses did that today. At least it would be more interesting than all those pop-ups on the net…

More castle! At the front of the castles roof, this small part of copper roofing built in the 19th century has developed such a degree of verdigris, it genuinely looks like it's turquoise paint on wood panels. I really love it as it's such an unexpected splash of colour. I'll have to get up there again soon to get a nice shot of a sweet little nymph on the brass doorknob. You can't see them in this shot, but I was up there with 20 other people and sometimes they got in the way a little (because there is just no space up there)

Jacques Fouquier Hortus Palatinus and Heidelberg Castle 1619/1620 oil on canvas While visiting our local museum recently I saw this painting and realized that even though I had seen it many times before in a whole bunch of publications about Heidelberg and the castle/ its history I dind't know to much about the artist. So I decided to change that. Fouquier was a student of Jan Brueghel the Elder (also known as the Flower-Brueghel). Fouquier was possibly working for Rubens workshop as a background specialist. I hope to find out more soon, because all this is what it says in the museum and different websites. If possible I would like to get my hands on a book though. (because if it's printed in a book it must be true ;) )

All about the details. And in this case they might remain a mystery. When the shutters at Heidelbergs "black whale" are closed they show: §II in their top square. There are two laws where it would make sense to display the section 2 in such a way. First the German constitution (Grundgesetz) where section two says: "Everyone has the right to the free development of his or her personality and character , as far as it does not violate the rights of others and does not violate the constitutional order or the moral rules. Everyone has the right to live life and physical integrity. The freedom of a person is inviolable. These rights may be intervered only on the basis of the law." Second the German Law of everyday life (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) where section two just says you become an adult when you turn 18. The stuff my mind gets up to when I don't pay close attention.

Richard Long Small White Pebble Circles 1987 white pebbles It was Friday the 12th of October 2012 and for the first time I had brought a (halfway) decent camera to the @Tate . Back in my schooldays I was already a fan of Land Art and especially British artists like Richard Long and Andy Goldsworthy had captured my imagination and broadened my horizons. I was and still am fascinated with how theses sculptures work and were perceived. I'm not going to go into more detail here, or I'll still be typing tomorrow.

One of the very few latticework/ half-timbered construction houses in Heidelberg. In all of Germany there are about two million of these beautiful houses left, although they can mostly be found in pretty remote areas, mostly in the Harz and Blackforest mountains. I've often walked past this gem, but I never really took the time to look at it. The timber frame is put on a stonewalled ground floor needed to level out the steep incline of the mountainside. It might be one of the oldest houses in Heidelberg. I am trying to find out more about it, but so far it's been quite hard.

Another little bird in Heidelberg. Detail of a really cool mural near the trainstation, that uses the outlines and remains of an old house that used to be there and is now inhabited by a bunch of creative creatures. That it's providing something amusing and nice is one of the things I like the most about streetart.

"Memento Mori Tuesday" Detail of one of the many epitaphs all around Heidelbergs St.Peters church. As the oldest church in Heidelberg it has seen many fashions come and go and unfortunately for it, it didn't survive them unscathed. Like many arthistorians ( I think) sometimes I would love to timetravel, now don't get me wrong, I don't want to live in the past, but sometimes, just sometimes I would love to see buildings the way they were in other time periods in order to understand them a bit better. Now, about this skull: I have no idea how old it really is, based on the volutes and asymmetrical design, I would guess late baroque or maybe rococo. Don't quote me on this, but 1688-1735 seems reasonable. That's the one for today. Love to you all.

Recently I've started training at the castle in Heidelberg to become an official castle tourguide with access all areas and the whole shebang. One of the benefits can be seen here, a shot taken from inside the castles thick tower. I'm still mad in love with this city and the castle.

Went to a really cool guided tour ( with a bit of an open talk format) @heidelberger_kunstverein. We didn't talk too much about one of my favourite pieces by Wolfgang Plöger. He explores a lot of different media and what they do to the message and the subject of art in his artworks. Like what kind of images are created if some colours are separated from a CMYK print? He doesn't use media as the container. He generates his work based on the limits of the media. At least that's what I think.

Another building I walk past nearly every day. If you follow me (and take the time to read these texts) you might know that I'm a huge fan of these historicist/ jugendstil buildings. In this case the whole building is a quite interesting mix of neobaroque and neoclassicist shapes. One thing I always seemed really weird to me and that is the fact, that these heads have a distinct germanic/norse look to them and I feel like it somehow doesn't really work with all of those neobaroque features. Maybe it's just me. I'll have to deliver a nice picture, that shows you the rest of the building, so you can get the full picture.

Owls. Perceived as the emblem of hipsters have in truth never been out of fashion. And they are one of those animals with a really widespread range of iconographic meaning attached to it. In antiquity owls were seen as the symbolic animal of Athena and personified wisdom, knowledge and learning. At the end of the 3rd century the Physiologus compared the owl to Christ (same as many, many other animals). In the middle ages, based on Ovid the owl suddenly became a demonic, nocturnal animal, avoiding the sunshine, a symbol of sin, witches and jews. With the onset of the Renaissance it would basically go back to it's original meaning, but from now on it would, even more than before depend on the context it was depicted in. This beautiful example is on Heidelbergs University library and I would say in this context it is meant in it's classical meaning. It still goes without saying, that a lot of the activity here is in fact nocturnal and I would say most of the people in it are sinners of some kind. Me included. Pheeww, these texts keep getting longer and longer. #photooftheday #justgoshoot #igers_heidelberg #heidelberg #universitylibrary #arthistory #art #architecture #jugendstil #historicism #kunst #85mm #f1point8 #urbanromantix #owl #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #artnouveau #arthistorynerd

My take on last weeks flood. This was friday afternoon. Hope whoever the glasses belong to is ok and got them back. luckily this didn't last very long. #photooftheday #justgoshoot #heidelberg #igers_heidelberg #nature #flood #thethrill #notasbadasitlooks

Heidelberg and especially all of it's Gründerzeit/Jugendstil/Historicist buildings are full of these. I don't really know enough about it (yet) to say it with certainty, but I believe their design and function is based on old traditions of apotopaic symbols and magic. Grotesque figures, gargoyles and hunky punks have guarded churches and castles for centuries and are supposed to ward off evil spirits, bad luck and death. This one has a coin in it's mouth, because the building it's on used to be a bank. #shotoftheday #justgoshoot #arthistorynerd #historicism #historicarchitecture #arthistory #architecture #magic #apotropaic #superstition #85mm #f1point8 #igers_heidelberg #urbanromantix #instanice

And now for something completely different: If you follow me, you will probably have picked up on this, on the road to becoming an art historian I decided at some point I want to focus on architecture, but that doesn't mean all other art is lost on me. One of my favourite galleries happens to be @aspexportsmouth and I have been to more exhibitions there than any other gallery. Last time I was there the Platform2017 was on and Edward Carey's photography installation 'Stepping back' was something I really enjoyed. So here is a quick snap! #photooftheday #createexplore #justmakeart #justgoshoot #contemporaryart #art #arty #installation #portsmouth #platform2017 #favouritegallery

Return of the bird! I know these shots are not incredible composition wise. But I like these birds (and others, I guess I have a tender spot in my heart for birds, with the exception of pigeons) And like I said before, it seems to follow me wherever I go. #shotoftheday #igers_heidelberg #justgoshoot #createexplore #85mm #f1point8 #causeililkebirds #plöck #homeiswheretheartis #bird #love

I decided 2018 should have a positive start. Lots of exciting things are waiting for me this year. Of course it's going to be a challenge, but I'm up for it. This shot is from one of the places I hope to see again this year, the beautiful city of Portsmouth. One of my favourite galleries is there, and it's one of the nicer seaside cities near where my family lives. #shotoftheday #justgoshoot #instagood #portsmouth #createexplore #goldenhour #85mmlens #f1point8 #2018ismyyear #iknowitscliché #instamood

The last picture! A turbulent year. Time to say good bye to 2017 and welcome 2018. Have a good one everyone. Help to make Love the driving force of our planet again. #photooftheday #instagood #justgoshoot #welcome2018 #goodbye2017 #makeourplanetniceagain #love #85mmlens #igers_heidelberg #heidelberg #createexplore #bluehour

Flower time! Here is a shot from Portsmouth this summer. I do miss the suns rays this winter. #petals #photooftheday #floweroftheday #justgoshoot #inspiredbypetals #85mmlens #f1point8 #goldenhour #portsmouth #instablooms

One of the oldest signed and dated, painted/decorated vaults (that I know of) in Germany. It's in the St.Sebastians Chapel in Ladenburg. Every historical preservationists nightmare btw, this chapel is covered in layers of paint from Romanesque times onwards. The oldest parts of the building are even Carolingian. Now it's difficult to decide which period should be preserved and after starting to work on some of it, preservationists in the 1900s gave up soon. #arthistorynerd #gothic #vaults #paintedceiling #photooftheday #justgoshoot #arthistory #architecture #love #createexplore #historicarchitecture #ladenburg #lobdengau

Holly Days! Hope everyone got trough the festivities ok. I sure loved it, but with this whole cooking and eating marathon I feel a bit exhausted. Starting my new years resolutions early I try to go out every day and take a picture ( and share it if I think it's good enough). #hollydays #igers_heidelberg #photooftheday #justgoshoot #nature #morningwalk #festiveseason #winter #holly #everydaymatters

Really cool and slightly creepy bird on one of the houses in Heidelbergs insanely beautiful Weststadt. Now I don't know enough about this architectural style, but I think it's sort of Gründerzeit/Jugendstil and if I had to guess I would say this was build in the 1880s to 1900s. It devinately shows some local patriotism for the Great-Dukedom of Baden, showing the colours. Love little shots like this one. #heidelberg #createexplore #urbanromantix #instagood #igers_heidelberg #historicarchitecture #arthistorynerd #birdphotography #justgoshoot #photooftheday

Happy Holidays!!! And a Happy New Year! Hope everyone has time to find some ( at least inner) peace and experience some love and the joy of giving and sharing. As this rather turbulent year is coming to an end I can't help but feel optimistic for the new one and just hope that the remaining few days are going to be as quiet as I imagine them. Which is not very quiet. At all. Love to everyone, even the people I usually can't stand. #dftba #2017sucked #buttherehasbeenworse #hopelesslyoptimistic #seasonsgreetings

Friendly owl in the neighbourhood. I really don't know anything about this guy. He's right above the main entrance to this big multifamily home that was build in the 1900s ( I think it's 1904, but I might be wrong. The style of the architecture has nothing to do with any of the Art Nouveau/ Historicist stuff that I'm usually into. But I do like this guy and thought I would share... #owl #architecture #beautyindetail #heidelberg #dailyphotosafari

Finally!!!! Another reason why I havent been posting anything is because my pictures (especially ones I took in low light, for instance in old churches ;-)) have been pixelating real bad and I was desperately looking for a way to fix that. And now I found one. I'm using this plugin that publishes pics staight to Instagram. So far it seems to be working. This is the first test image, a photo I took on my trip to Winchester Cathedral. It's a nice lightshaft in the transsept #winchestercathedral #historicarchitecture #gothic #arthistorynerd

Beuys in the hood! Someone painted this on the Neue Uni in Heidelberg about 6 weeks ago. I love Beuys and I think he would be proud.

Detail at the facade of the cauchie house in Brussels, Belgium. Love this place, too bad the weather wasn't so nice when we visited. Same as many other people on this planet, art nouveau is one of my favourite architecture styles, especially if you throw some historicism in the mix. I've posted examples of that already... P.S.: I keep thinking it's called couchy house. That would be awesome. #artnouveau #arthistorynerd #beautyindetail #iftheweatherisbadthereisalwaysphotoshop #brussels

Winchester cathedral. View into the north transsept. On the other side, entrance to the north aisle in beautiful caen stone and meticulous perpendicular style ( can't really see much of it here, but it is pretty nice) I really like how the arches align an you have this warm and cold contrast in the light, too. I might have enhanced it a little in photoshop ;-) not loving the grainyness though. Everytime I take pictures in churches I wish I had a nice full-frame dslr. #normanarchitecture #gothic #arthistorynerd #f1point8 #85mm

When life gives you limes, you make Mojito! Found this on my way home the other day... #randomfinds #walkhome #mojito #cocktailsonmyminnd #heidelberg

Haven't been posting a lot, because I've been researching these beautiful things. The cross ribs at Speyer catherdrals transsept. These are some of the earliest cross ribs and were build long before the gothic times. Possibly built by Norman masons, this is also one of the biggest vaulted ceilings at the time. And it seems like they used a system of mason marks to organize the build... super exciting stuff ;-)

Detail of the memorial stone at old synagogue square in the oldtown of Heidelberg. It was on this very night, the Kristallnacht, 79 years ago that the synagogue was burned down like many others, along with so many buisnesses destroyed and lifes lost. This pogrom is regarded by many historians as the beginning of the Schoah and another step on the road that lead to the "final solution". It pains my heart that after all this persecution and intolerance are still present in our world and in these turbulent times Nazi ideas and ideology have found an audience once more. #wakeup #neveragain #nerverforget #schoah #interfaithharmony #tolerance #nazisfuckoff

This seagull had me running around for ages, before i could get a good shot. They are probably a lot smarter than we give them credit for. I think it was trying to separate me from my bag, so it could take my food. #seaside #dontfeedtheseagulls #portsmouth #lastdaysofsummer

Over time I'm going to try, collecting photos of all putti ( I refuse to call them cherubs, even if that has become widespread, a cherub is something completely different) ornamentation on Heidelbergs, mostly baroque architecture. In the early 1700s when Heidelberg was slowly being rebuild, after having been sacked by Louis the XIVs Army in 1693 there was an attempt to recatholicise the city and putti where a very en vogue way to remind you of the omnipresence of God in those days. In this century I'm not sure wheather I should find them spooky or comforting. Apologies for the long text. #baroque #putti #arthistorynerd #localhistory #historicarchitecture #archdaily

The new neighbour is quite the health freak. Only eats nuts and fruits and spends all day outside in the fresh air, jumping and running. Not sure we can trust him, but he does look like he couldn't hurt a fly. #wildlifephotography #rightoutsidemywindow #85mm #f1point8 #ourplanetisawesome

Last picture of this beard! Movember has begun and I had it shaved off. By the time I will have a beard again that deserves the name it's probably going to be Christmas. O well, it's for a good cause... #byebyebeard #movember #shave #menshealth

A tribute to the fire salamanders at Heidelberg Castle. I do have photos of real life ones too, but this one at the entrance to the Grotto is absolutely amazing and just shows how much the castles conservationists care for those creatures. I hope they are going to survive the winter in their new homes, while the old walls all around the garden, their usual habitat, are getting some maintenance. #heidelbergcastle #salamander #conservation #f1point8 #85mm

Have you seen this bird? Well, you should have by now if you live in Heidelberg. It'S all over the place. Hope it's not stalking me... #f1point8 #85mm #morningwalk #bluehour

Another shot taken at our favourite zoo. Going there is like going on safari. You don't quite know which animals you'll see, because most of them have a place where they can hide if they don't want to be seen. The rhinos there just have tons of space. They even get to share it with other African animals. One of the best shots of the day. #marwellzoo #safari #rhino

I know, I know... I'm kind of obsessed with this building. But especially since the cinema on the other side has been torn down, the light hits it in a really nice way, soft and warm. And the decoration is just incredible. #f1point8 #85mm #artnouveau #jugendstil #arthistorynerd

Loving the antique fire extinguishing options at Marwell Zoo's Peguin train station. :-) #fire #extinguisher #marwellzoo #oldschool #antique

The Halle Gate in Brussels was built in 1381 and used to be a fortified citygate of the second citywall. Restored between 1868 and1870 the new look was dreamt up in neo-gothic style by Henri Beyaert. I just love the look of it, it is nearly a donjon like keep in it's own right. Sadly it was closed when we were there... #historicbuildings #neogothic #arthistorynerd #10mm #brussels

Just making sure everyone knows which side I'm on.

Walking past this rather grim looking guy nearly every day. He's been watching over who enters and who leaves this house for the last 117 years ( my guess). It's another one of those beautiful buildings in Heidelberg in a nice mix of historicism and Jugendstil. I've been living here forever but I just can't get enough of it. #jugendstil #artnouveau #historicism #f1point8 #85mm #beautifulcity #morningwalk

Prime bird property. Close to the waterfront and fairly quiet. Basicly up for grabs with just a tad bit of refurbishment to be done. #ilikebirds #beautifulcity #85mm #f1point8 #morningwalk

Around the corner from where we live, discovered the other day on the way to the bakery early in the morning. I love streetart nearly as much as I love architecture. And the heart is superb. Sadly the same can not be said for some of the tags and other grafitti on Heidelbergs historic buildings. #streetart #morning #takingthecameraeverwhere #beautifulcity #

Proof that medieval archers liked good whiskey just as much as we do. Took this little snapshot at the Knightsfestival in Hirschhorn on the weekend. Just really like the whole ensemble quite well with the wooden shoes and the orange towel. Also seemed to be a heck of a party. #glenlivet #laphoraig #archery #medieval #festival #still_life_gallery

Rusty rod of an old pump with some kind of pommel or knob. Found it in this hidden Backyard I've never been to before, even though I've lived here forever. Love those little finds as I keep exploring the city with my dslr. #citysecrets #heidelberg #history #rusty

The other day I was out and about again and this building, which is slowly becoming my favourite building in Heidelberg, has these super cool faces holding the rainwater pipes with their mouth. It just looks so amazing. #85mm #f1point8 #protoartnouveau #historicbuildings #arthistorynerd #heidelberg #symmetryisking

Lovebird seems to follow me wherever I go. Even to the top of this hill. Before you get the wrong idea. It's not me. He belongs to a writer called Roger/U.T. in a Crew called DSF. #lovebird #nature #heidelberg #hiking

Ever mention that I love pairs? In this one I'm not quite so happy about the composition, but it was the best I could do with the situation at the time. I just love this city and all of it's historic buildings and their stories and mysteries. #mostbeautifulcity #arthistorynerd #heidelberg #historicbuildings #baroque #85mm #f1point8

Wonderful walk in the woods. When I need a little time out, the forest is just across the street. Don't think I could live here if it wasn't. #timeout #walk #mothernature #85mm #f1.8

Same golden hour. The gate to Heidelbergs iconic old bridge. A very pretty but slightly strange version of a really old gate. The Baroque exterior dates back to about 1709, but did get sort of an update in 1788 i believe and now it's white late Baroque Towers are in stark contrast to the rest of Heidelbergs sandstone architecture. #goldenhour #historicarchitecture #arthistorynerd #baroque #10mm #follie #travel #mostbeautifulcity #heidelberg

More beautiful sculpture. This time it's a late Baroque/ early Rococo herm possibly by Paul Egell (Not sure if I believe that). Dated tpq 1735. The ripcage, bear and veins totally remind me of Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt drawings. What do you think? #goldenhour #arthistorynerd #baroque #85mm #f1.8 #sculpture #shadowandlight #historicbuildings

Hipster photo recipe: palette + coffe. On my patio enjoying a mornings brew. #butfirstcoffee #morningroutine #palettelove

This building is the architectual equivalent of an evergreen. It will never go out of style. #arthistorynerd #goldenhour #jugendstil #artnouveau

Lovebird on my way home. The whole building around it is being demolished. Hope he survives. Took this for my wife. #goldenhour #weddinganniversary #lovebird

And the other side. Don't know if Karl-Theodor thought Athena was his counterpart or something, but she is definitely much nicer to look at and I have always loved that owl. #moodygrams #rainygoldenhour #thereisnobadweather #arthistorynerd

Dense clouds, snapping a couple of pics on my way home. #rainygoldenhour #thereisnobadweather #moodygrams #afternoonwalk #arthistorynerd