Kaisertempel, Eppstein
The pictures were taken in Eppstein (Hesse), Germany. The picturesque city lies west of Frankfurt am Main and is at the edge of the Taunus mountains.
The Kaisertempel was built in 1894 as a memorial to commemorate the Prussian victory in the Franco-Prussian War (1870/71). This victory unified the German Empire under King Wilhelm I of Prussia. From the area, you have a wonderful view of Eppstein as far as Bremthal.
Eppstein Castle (Hesse), Germany
The pictures were taken in my hometown Eppstein. Eppstein is a town in Hesse (Germany), lies west of Frankfurt am Main and is at the edge of the Taunus mountains.
The ruins of the Eppstein castle were mentionend as “Ebbensten” in the year 1122 and were the home of the Lords of Eppstein, who ruled the territories of the Rhine Main area. The castle includes a museum with an old baroque altar and some books written by early travel writers who refer to Eppstein.
Now, the legend about the castle: The strong and handsome knight Eppo built the castle Eppstein and rescued the beautiful damsel Bertha from Bremthal from a giant. He slung the giant into a valley to death and took one of his ribs. You can see the rib above the castle gate (but it’s from a whale and not from a giant…)
Footdee, Aberdeen
I took these pictures in Footdee, also known locally as “Fittie”. Footdee is an old fishing village near Aberdeen Harbour, Scotland. In former days the cottages would have housed fishermen and their fisherfolk families and had a first recorded refernce in the year 1398. I heard, that some fish families still live in the picturesque fishing cottages and their well maintained gardens set away from the hustle and bustle of Aberdeen City. Round the outside of the buildings square the cottages are regular, granite houses, but from the inside they’re anything but with shacks, sheds including outhouses jumbled with washing lines, floweres and a lot of knick-knack. First, the area was called Futty then the village became Fittie and nowadays the area is named Footdee and presents the official name.
Aberdeen Beach Esplanade
The beach is located in Aberdeen, Scotland and is famous for its golden sand. The long curved esplanade between the harbour and the River Don’s mouth is a great place for walks and runs. The beach has a popular amusement area along the beach with restaurants, cinema and an amusement park.
The Ness Islands
The Ness Islands are situated in Inverness (Scotland) beside the river Ness. 1828, the first bridge was built to the islands and washed away in the flood of 1849. In the years 1853-1854 the bridge was replaced by two suspension bridges designed by William Dredge.
Nowadays, the islands are a popular and picturesque walk and a a natural beauty spot. The area is a home for a number of imported and foreign species of trees and home to wildlife.
Inverness
Inverness is situated in northern Scotland, where the River Ness enters the Inverness/Moray Firth and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland.
The strategic location of Inverness has led to many conflicts in the area. The settlement was established by the 6th century with the first royal charter being granted by King David I. in the 12th century. Inverness castle was built by Malcolm III. of Scotland after he had razed to the ground the castle in which MacBeth had murdered Duncan I. In the year 1562 Mary, Queen of Scots, was denied admittance into Inverness Castle by the governor and whom she afterwards caused to be hanged.
Duthie Park, Aberdeen
Duthie Park is situated in Ferryhill, Aberdeen (Scotland), by the banks of the River Dee. The land was gifted to the council by Lady Elizabeth Duthie of Ruthrieston in the year 1881. Her idea was to create a memory for her uncle and her brother.
The winter gardens are the home for the second largest collections of bromeliads and of giant cacti respectively in Great Britain.
