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Loving Life in Germany!

I moved to Germany from Clearwater, Florida in November, 2003. Naturally, there are cultural differences, but I'm enjoying every day. I've found the German people to be very warm and welcoming.

This region is incredibly beautiful, and rich in history & culture. The churches and castles are unbelievable.

The castle above is Schloß Marienburg (approx. 30 minutes from my home). I visited this castle again in mid September (2006) to see how the renovation had changed the castle. Recently, items from storage were auctioned at Sotheby's. EUR 12 million was the expected amount. However, I read that the auction generated between EUR 45 & 50 million! Much of the proceeds were used for the renovation.

Schloß Marienburg is nothing short of spectacular. I urge you to visit whenever you're in this area. You won't be disappointed.

Although it appears quite ancient, this was actually one of the last castles built in Germany. In 1857, King George V of Hannover declared the grounds and soon to-be-built castle a birthday gift for his wife, Queen Marie (formerly Princess Marie of Saxony-Altenburg).

King George V was forced to leave his country in 1867, and all of his possessions were confiscated by Prussia, with the exception of Schloß Marienburg, which was the property of Queen Marie. The queen and her daughter, Mary, lived there another year after the king went into exile, but later joined him and their other two children in Vienna. They never returned to Schloß Marienburg. The castle remained empty from then on, until it provided the Guelph family with a home in 1945 for several years, as Russian troops had forced them to leave Blankenburg Castle.

www.schloss-marienburg.com

The Library

Schloß Marienburg Library

If you enlarge the photo of the library, you'll notice that parts of the blue ceiling paint are brighter (mainly around the floral designs) than others. These color variations are due to touch-up paint, applied some (?) years ago. Interestingly enough, the brighter areas are those where the OLD paint remains. The newer paint faded over the years. The properties of the original pigment, giving it such colorfastness, have not been possible to reproduce.

West Wing Corridor

Schloß Marienburg West Wing Corridor

Stairwell

Schloß Marienburg Stairwell

Intro Updated Sep 20, 2006
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Comments (31)

MidasSK Mar 24, 2012 at 7:45 AM Report Abuse

Mark, hope you are okay; don't know where you went to for last year! Take care, Midas
Henrik_rrb Mar 11, 2011 at 4:46 PM Report Abuse

Thanks a lot! Had a lot of fun, very much work... :) Hope you're good!
grishaV1 Jun 7, 2010 at 2:42 PM Report Abuse

Hope you had a great time on your birthday, however you wanted it to be :-)
Sage49 Jun 22, 2008 at 6:07 PM Report Abuse

hey amazing photos. I just got back from Germany. I loved it, and hope to return to Germany soon.
BillNJ Jun 20, 2008 at 4:09 PM Report Abuse

Hi Mark, Thanks for the generous offer! I just recently visited Germany for the first time -- it was awesome. If I am fortunate enough to take a trip to Hannover, I will contact you. It looks like a great place! Cheers, Bill
cyberangel_529 Jun 10, 2008 at 4:19 AM Report Abuse

thank you Mark for sharing the pics on different flowers. You truly captured the beauty of nature. I like best the Magnolia Blossom! Have a nice day! :)
la_rim Jun 5, 2008 at 6:53 AM Report Abuse

2008, Guess who! Happy Birthday Marky !!!!!!!!
Pawtuxet Jun 5, 2008 at 5:48 AM Report Abuse

Happy birthday! Best greets from the little state of Rhode Island!
anpe Jun 5, 2008 at 3:09 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday Mark!!!!may all your wishes come true!!!! smiles always!! anna
carfan Jun 5, 2008 at 2:23 AM Report Abuse

hello from Scotland, happy birthday!