German Culture

All about Germany

Schwäbische Käsespätzle – Swabian Cheese Spätzle

Schwäbische Käsespätzle is a quintessential Swabian comfort food dish.  Homemade Spätzle are layered with shredded Emmentaler and caramelized onions and then baked in the oven. Ingredients: 1 batch homemade German Spätzle can be made in advance and refrigerated until ready use, then let warm to room temperature before baking. Can also use a … [Read more...]

Albert Schweitzer – Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Albert Schweitzer was an Alsatian-German theologian, philosopher, organist, and mission doctor in equatorial Africa, whose goal was the Brotherhood of Nations. A Lutheran, Schweitzer challenged both the secular view of Jesus as depicted by historical-critical methodology current at this time, as well as the traditional Christian view. His … [Read more...]

Muttertag – Mother’s Day in Germany

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. Proverb Mother's day celebration in Germany takes place on the second Sunday of May. However, if this day happens to be the Pentecost (Pfingstsonntag) – the Christian festival for celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit (held on the 7th Sunday following Easter) - then Mother’s Day is … [Read more...]

Semmelknödel – Bavarian Bread Dumplings

These traditional Bavarian bread dumplings, or Semmelknödel, are great when you've got delicious gravy to soak up. They taste especially great served with Sauerbraten! Ingredients: 8 day-old white rolls or slices of white bread 1 cup warm milk 1 onion, peeled and chopped 1 teaspoon butter 2 eggs 2 tablespoons flour a pinch of salt 1-2 … [Read more...]

Walpurgisnacht – Walpurgis Night

In Germany, Walpurgisnacht, the night from 30 April to 1 May, is the night when witches are reputed to hold a large celebration on the Brocken and await the arrival of spring. Walpurgis Night (in German folklore) the night of 30 April (May Day's eve), when witches meet on the Brocken mountain and hold revels with their gods..." Brocken is the … [Read more...]

Maundy Thursday – Gründonnerstag

Also known as Holy Thursday, Maundy Thursday has been celebrated since the earliest days of the Christian Church. It commemorates Jesus' last supper with his disciples and the institution of the Lord's Supper and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist. The night of Maundy Thursday is the night on which Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the … [Read more...]

Wilhelm Wundt – Father of Psychology

Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt (born on August 16, 1832 –  died on August 31, 1920) was a German physician, physiologist and philosopher widely regarded as the "father of experimental psychology". Wundt, who noted psychology as a science apart from philosophy and biology, was the first person ever to call himself a psychologist. Wundt was born at … [Read more...]

Maulbronn Monastery

Maulbronn Monastery (Kloster Maulbronn) is one of Europe’s most complete and bestpreserved Medieval monastery complexes. It combines a multitude of architectural styles, from Romanesque to late Gothic, in one place – creating a unique atmosphere. Construction of the former Cistercian abbey, cradled in the rolling hills of the Stromberg region, … [Read more...]