The Brothers Josephu

The Brothers Josephu
Young Josef at work...circa 1917

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Trip - Day 12

Friday, June 10th

Today George and Brigitte show me the beauty of the area around Klagenfurt.

We visited a monastery that began building in the year 890 and was converted about 10 years ago to a school. the fountain in the courtyard is dated 1675. We head up the mountainside, toward a tower perched atop a mountain peak. We pause for lunch first, then go up the tower.

The views from the tower are spectacular. We can see the Alps that separate Austria from Italy, and in an other direction they separate Austria from Slovenia. Below is the bright blue-green lake known as Wörthersee. Once a spot for Vienna's nobility, and now a vacation spot for the wealthy, their mansions line the shoreline along with several hotels. Gustav Mahler had a large property here. We can see one peninsula on the lake called Maria Wörth which we'll visit in a short time.

Down in Maria Wörth we visit two churches, the old and the new - both with magnificent views. The new church has a small cemetery with a view for all eternity of the lake below.

From here we drive back to Klagenfurt to a lovely park alongside Wörthersee - the area was originally swampland but converted into a popular park. We have a drink as we watch the early sunset over the lake, then head back to the apartment.

In the evening we visit two of Brigitte's friends, Dr. Renate Arnold and Dr. Uwe Arnold. The apartment has a lovely peaceful view of the alps from their back terrace. They are wonderful people, intelligent, warm and friendly, with good humor. We enjoy conversation, laughs, prosciutto and wine. At one point we discuss what George and I have been doing, and mention Florian's statue at a library in Sandleiten. Renata grew up in that area and knew of the fountain...and possessed a book with a photo of it! The book is about a period in Vienna after the first World War known as the Red Vienna. She explains what that time was like, and it gives me fuel for my writings on Josef and Florian. As we leave Renata so kindly and generously presented the book at a gift. I only wish she had signed it for me.

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