Thursday 7 May 2015

E21: Hall in Tyrol 4th May

9 kilometres East of Innsbruck is the beautiful medieval town of Hall, it prospered on the riches of salt in the 13th century….

 

The Burg Hassegg, this castle had a 300 year career as the mint for the silver coins, Thalers,  which gave their name to the modern word Dollar….

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Plenty of cobbles streets and pastel coloured houses….

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The 15th century Rathaus (Town hall)….

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Damenstift Convent founded in 1557….

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Baroque tower belonging to the above convent….

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The Pfarrkirche St Nikolaus.  This 13th church is renowned for its Waldaufkapelle, a grissly collection of 45 skulls and 12 bones collected from the remains of minor saints, each displayed on an embroidered cushion draped with veils and topped with elaborate headdresses….

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a simple entrance…. 

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leads into a very colourful and flambouyant interior….

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The display of skulls and bones is, as our guide book says, "both repulsive and enthralling”….

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The church organ is in keeping with the rest of the interior, gilded and richly decorated….

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Now, it may be Austria, but with the sun out and the temperature in the mid 20’s, Grahame just had to test the local ice cream….

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1 comment:

  1. Interesting architectuue and that Yate's twin town Bad Saltzdetfurth also thrived or was economically dependent on salt. Hugs and love Mumski xxxxx

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