The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-07-30
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New world musicians to the number
of 23O have invaded the old world and
have sung In one of the historic cas-
ties of Germany and are continuing
their tour through various cities Of
the fatherland, such as Bremen, Berlin
and other cities. This unique pilgrim
age Of American singers, which start
ed from New York the latter part of
June, Is under the direction of the
Akron Singing society Of Brooklyn, and
the distinction of singing in the Wart-
burg castle at Eisenbach, Germany, is
one which no other American musical
organization mas ever enjoyed. and
one which all might we'll covet, for
this ancient building is famous in his
tory for the singing contests which
were held in the twelfth century I'M
der the patronage of the Landgrave
Hermann l.
The Wartburg is regarded by archi-
tects who know as one of the finest
secular structures in Germany 1t Is
also distinguished as the refuge of Lu-
ther in the turbulent times of the ref
ormation, for he lived there under the
name of "Junker Georg" from May 4,
1921, to March 6, 1922, engaged in the
translation Of the Bible.
The courtesy and distinguishing
honor to sing in this historic old build
ing was granted to the Arion society
by Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst of
Saxe-Weimar, the present owner of
the Wartburg, who occasionally makes
his residence there for short periods.
The group of buildings forming the
castle is situated on the top of hill.
600 feet above the thrifty city of Els
enach. Here begins the beautiful
Thuringian forest, which stretches
away to the south and east for more
than 80 miles. This is one of the
most lovely and attractive parts of
all Europe. No wonder the picturesque
spot was chosen as the site of the
grand old castle, which was crumbling
into ruins long before America was
discovered and has only recently been
restored.
The surrounding hills are covered
with pine and birch trees, fertile val
leys stretch away as far as the eye can
reach, and frequent villages, with their
quaint gables and tiled roofs. mark
the well built highways. In every d.
rection are fine vistas, with variety
of color at various times of the year.
Steep slopes lead up to the castle on
each side and the stronghold was well
situated to resist a besieging army In
medieval times. But the days when
trumpets called to arms while
mailed foe camped at it's gates are
long gone by, and the grim buildings
are given over to the thousands of
tourists who come each year to see
how the landgraves lived and to ex-
anime with curious interest the room
of the great reformer.
Emperor Wilhelm Is said to have a
special fondness for the Wartburg
He makes occasional visits to the cas-
tie and occupies apartments which are
plain and simple in the extreme.
The original Wartburg was built by
Ludwig the Springer in 1067'70 and
was the residence of the landgraves
of Thuringia until the family ceased
to exist in 1247, when it passed to
other hands. Ludwig discovered the
hill while on hunting expedition. At
tracted by the beauty of the scenery
and by the isolated position which of
fered natural defenses, he exclaimed:
"Wart Burg, du sollst mir cine Burg
werden" ("Wait, hill, you shall be a
citadel"O. From this saying the name
Wartburg is derived. 1t is said that
his proprietorship was disputed by
Herr Won Frankenstein, who claimed
title to the property. Ludwig must
swear that he was erecting the
building on ground owned by
his father. and this he was
able to do by having workmen
carry earth from his own possessions
beyond dispute and scatter it on the
site of the castle. History does not
tell If his conscience ever troubled
him, but the still. small voice did
not call loudly in those stormy days
of feudal lords and robber barons
when might was right" A famine
prevailed in the land, so that many
men were available for the construc.
ton of the castle, and 1t was com
pleted in three years. 1t consisted of
two parts. the Voburg and the Haupt, |
or Hofburg. In the former is the So
called Ritterhaus, for the use of visit |
Ing knights and the main watch The |
entrance is across drawbridge over
deep .moat and through a massive
gatewn, which was closed by two sets
of-haS5 gates. To the right of the
entrance are the quarters of the
Schlosskommandant. which are fitted
ap in fifteenth century style.
On the second floor Of the Ritter.