An American exchange student once told me about her first week in a German shared apartment. Her new … (More)
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September 26 in German History
September 26, 1651 Birth of Francis Daniel Pastorius in Sommerhausen, Germany. He was a German lawyer who first traveled to America as the agent of a German Pietist organization interested in purchasing land in the New World. He purchased land from William Penn and founded the city of Germantown, Pennsylvania. He remained as a teacher […]
German Dog Breeds
There are over 20 breeds that originated from Germany, some of which make great hunting partners like the German Shorthaired Pointer, the Munsterlander or the Dachshund others make excellent guarding dogs like the Rottweiler, Doberman and Leonberger (the gentle lion) and some just make incredible companion dogs, for example the Pomeranian. The most famous breed […]
Neuschwanstein Castle – the Legendary King’s Escape
The Neuschwanstein castle was the most favorite place of the king Ludwig II, king of Bavaria conquered by Prussia after the war between alliance of Bavaria and Austria and Prussia. Ludwig strove to make a reality of his happy childhood in his father’s Hohenschwangau castle and create an ideal world of the Medieval Knights life. […]
May 8 in German History
May 8, 1521 Birth of St. Peter Canisius, the first German Jesuit. Sometimes called the “Second Apostle of Germany” (St. Boniface is the first), he was the first German to enter the Jesuit order and founded numerous Jesuit centers in Germany. May 8, 1909 Death of Friedrich Holstein in Berlin, Germany. Holstein was a member […]
Lichtenstein – a Fairy-Tale Fortress
Lichtenstein Castle (Schloss Lichtenstein) is a Gothic Revival castle built in the 1840s. It is situated on a cliff located near Honau on the Swabian Alb, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. A small fortress Lichtenstein standing on the rock which supports it and surrounding by ditches and numerous underground paths – the only ways for the fortress’ inhabitants […]
Eintopf – Sauerkraut Stew with Sausages
Ingredients: 500 g potatoes 2 onions 40 g butter 1 can Sauerkraut 3/4 l broth (instant) 1 bay leave 8 Thuringia Rostbratwuerstchen or normal Bratwurst or Knackwurst 100 ml heavy cream 1 tbsp mustard salt, pepper, caraway seeds 1-2 tsp sugar 1 bunch chives Cooking: Peel the potatoes, cut them into cubes. Peel and cut […]
The Unification of Germany: How Bismarck Built a Nation from Blood and Iron
In the mid-19th century, Germany wasn’t a country. It was a chaotic jigsaw puzzle of kingdoms, duchies, and principalities—39 in total—each with its own ruler, army, and agenda. But within just a few years, that patchwork was transformed into a unified empire, largely thanks to the vision and cunning of one man: Otto von Bismarck. […]
Michael Schumacher – German Racing Star
Michael Schumacher is a seven-time World Champion F1 driver and tops the list of most Grand Prix wins in the history of Formula One. His career statistics – including an astonishing 91 wins – are so incredible they will probably never be beaten. Early years Schumacher was born on January 3, 1969 to Rolf and […]
Mainau, Germany’s Flower Island in Lake Constance
The Flower Island of Mainau in Lake Constance may only cover 45 hectares of land, but it is home to an extraordinary diversity of trees, flowers and shrubs. Its other attractions include a 13th century baroque palace, a palm house and the biggest butterfly house in Germany. Mainau Island lies just off the shores of […]
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Nürnberger Rostbratwurst – Recipe and History
Short, thin, and bursting with flavor, the Nürnberger Rostbratwurst may look modest, but it’s a true heavyweight in German sausage culture. Protected by EU law and rooted in over 700 years of culinary … [Read More...]
September 13 in German History
September 13, 1819 Birth of Clara Schumann in Leipzig, Germany. Schumann was a composer and the outstanding pianist of her century. Born Clara Wieck, she married the composer Robert Schumann in … [Read More...]
Schloss Johannisburg in Aschaffenburg
Schloss Johannisburg is a schloss in the town of Aschaffenburg, in Franconia in the state of Bavaria, Germany. It was erected between 1605 and 1614 by the architect Georg Ridinger (de) for Johann … [Read More...]
Easy Homemade German Spaetzle Recipe
When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can rival the heartwarming embrace of German Spaetzle. These delightful little egg noodles are a staple in Southern German cuisine and have charmed their way … [Read More...]
July 28 in German History
July 28, 1750 Death of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) in Leipzig. He was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist of the Baroque Period. He enriched many established … [Read More...]
Small Talk in Germany: What Works and What Doesn’t
If you've ever tried to chat up a stranger in Germany the way you might in the United States or the United Kingdom, you've probably noticed something: it doesn't quite land the same way. Germans … [Read More...]
August 28 in German History
August 28, 1749 Birth of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in Frankfurt, Germany. Goethe was the greatest of all German writers. Among his works are The Sorrows of Young Werther, Faust, Götz von … [Read More...]
Zwinger
The Zwinger is a palace in the eastern German city of Dresden, built in Rococo style and designed by court architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann. It served as the orangery, exhibition gallery and … [Read More...]
July 30 in German History
July 30, 1855 Birth of Georg Wilhelm von Siemens, a German telecommunications industrialist of the Siemens family. Known as Wilhelm von Siemens, he was a general partner of the family company … [Read More...]
June 13 in German History
June 13, 1539 Birth of Jost Amman in Zürich, Switzerland. Amman was a leading painter and Printmaker of his age. June 13, 1809 Birth of Heinrich Hoffmann in Frankfurt am Main. Hoffmann is … [Read More...]