Heiligen-Geist-Hospital or the Hospital of the Holy Spirit is one of the oldest social institutions in Europe. It is also one of the most significant and well-preserved monumental buildings from the Middle Ages. It was initially used to tend to the sick, but eventually came to serve as an almshouse. In the early 19th centure, wooden compartments (cubby-holes) were added along the central nave to house the poor and needy. The chambers and church hall are used for individual events such as the craftsmen’s Christmas market.
We had been playing hide-and-seek with the rain. It came and went without warning. Not like the heavy downpour in Malaysia but intermittent rain just enough to get you wait. So when the rain came, we ducked into any building available and came out to walk the street when it is done but always casting a wary eye on the clouds. It just starting raining again so we ducked into the Hospital of Holy Spirits for protection.
The floor was rather plain but the columns and ceilings were still grand though not as spectacular as the St. Mary’s church.
The floor was rather plain but the columns and ceilings were still grand though not as spectacular as the St. Mary’s church.
However the stained glass in this church is absolutely beautiful with amazing details and color combinations. Would have been interesting to have the time to find out the meaning of each symbols.
These are the compartments where the sick are treated. It is very basic with just a bed and a table and nothing much else. Rolls after rolls of them are built within the building.
There was a locked door to a room that had been preserved in its original condition. Not sure whether this was the room of the administrator of the church. I caught sight of rain stained red roses outside the window. Hendrik said I will never capture a good shot through a darkened room and a lighted window but I was quite pleased with this effort.
The rain stopped again so we re-start our walk. Some of the shop fronts were really quaint but you wonder how they can survive selling such merchandises?
We passed by this backyard where a huge cheery tree loomed.
The wind and rain had fell some cherries and they sprinkled them – little red dots on the ground.
Hendrik said he did not want to risk eating them though I was hoping he would so I could follow. After all, he is local and should know what is safe to eat or not. Until today, I still regret not trying and wonder what was the tastes of the cherry from that tree. Moral of the story – take a little risk and worry about the stomach upset later.
There was this huge climbing rose that reached more than two stories high forming an arch over the wall. Never knew roses can be that big. The wind has stained the ground red with its petals.
Who will be looking out from that window?
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