Unexpected encounter: Burg Altfinstermünz
Aug 26, 2022 12:29:34 GMT -5
quartz, RickB, and 10 more like this
Post by Gabriel_GER on Aug 26, 2022 12:29:34 GMT -5
So as some of you already know - I went to the Südtiroler Ritterspiele 2022 over last weekend.
Was one of the best weekends in the last two years.
(Which is not too hard for ... reasons.)
Took some time to recover as nothing drains my energy as hard and fast as large crowds.
Still would go again 100%!
Have a great week!
On my drive back home Sunday evening, I came across a little parking spot while driving along Reschenstraße.
It's a beautiful mountain road winding itself alongside steep canyons. For quite a bit of it, it runs alongside the river Inn.
Exiting a long curve, on my right side, a couple of old, abandoned buildings came into my view. That made me slow down initially as it's a rare sight.
Then the above mentioned parking spot, situated on the left side of the road came into view and in that moment I made the decision to make a stop there to check out the area.
I had no idea where I was, what would await me. Initially I thought I might be able to take a few nice pictures of the abandoned buildings and the scenery down the canyon.
Then... I spotted a sign reading "Altfinstermünz" with an arrow pointing down. As I walked closer there was another small sign stating "Burg Altfinstermünz 30 min".
"Castle Old Dark Coin" did sound kinda intriguing.INSERT: In 1159 "Altfinstermünz" (Forest of Finstermünz) was first mentioned in documents.
The word "Finstermünz" is derived from Indo-European "mintsja" in the meaning of "towering rock". The castle was first mentioned in 1263.
END INSERTHoping for the best I emptied my backpack, put on my hiking shoes and made my way down some narrow stairs which transitioned into a steep forest trail downwards the supposed castle.
After a couple of minutes the first buildings came into view, then I heard the flowing water of the river Inn and all I could think of was: "Please let me somehow access the riverbank".
And I was. I had to make my way through the castle grounds, over the old wooden bridge and right there on the right side I was able wo make a descent to the riverbank.
Fun little side note: That moment I started to collect stones in Switzerland. Some of the river Inn actually acts as a border between Austria and Switzerland.
So while I was picking through the material my cellphone started sending me SMS about the roaming rates for Switzerland. Why is that funny?
Because Switzerland has about as much interest being part of the EU as the US.
So they DO have actually a quite well managed boarder control... just not for those little trails in the mountains. And to be fair - who actually gets there...? Me.
So what did I find on the riverbank? Very different material. Wherever I went before, most of the stones are some shade of light grey.
There, most of the material was very dark, almost black. Lots of green mixed in, some cool, swirly patterns.
Some felt very different from everything I touched before, very smooth, deep black with green sparkles and a dull shine.
Spent quite a few there filling my backpack and then... I realized that I will have to make my way back UP that steep trail to my car way up above.Made it, was very happy with my "catch" and continued my way back home.
Took a few pics of the Zugspitze region on the way and finally mad it home.
Was one of the best weekends in the last two years.
(Which is not too hard for ... reasons.)
Took some time to recover as nothing drains my energy as hard and fast as large crowds.
Still would go again 100%!
Have a great week!
Gabriel