A Return to Wetzlar

We stopped in Wetzlar once, on our way home from another Saturday fieldtrip, but last time we didn’t have much time.  Today we had the whole afternoon (after helping with the move that brought our friends to this place).

Today we got map and did our own walking tour of the old town. It’s a great place. More of a bigger town than a village, but lots of old half-timber homes from the 1500s on. We enjoyed just walking around town, up and down hills (it was hot and our feet were tired).

First we stopped at the focal point of the town: the Dom,  It dates back to 1230.  The Wetzlar Cathedral is one of only 60 churches in all of Germany that is made available for more than one religion. This one is used by both Catholic and Protestant or Evangelisch worshippers, and has done so for 400 years.

I love seeing all the creative ways cobblestones are layed.

We were at the Dom at 3:15 and a wedding was beginning at 3:30, so we sat quietly in the back. The Dom is huge. The wedding party included some musicians and a small choir and a really good piano player. It was a Catholic service with a beautiful blonde bride and a handsome tall dark haired groom who was all smiles. It was fun to see.

There was a man at the info table at the back we talked to–he wanted to know if we had any questions about the Dom. He asked where we were from and we said Utah. “Utah?” he asked. He said, “there are lot of Mormons there!” We told him we were also Mormons. He told us his daughter-in-law is a Mormon from the Busche family. Elder F. Enzio Busche’s daughter married his son! They have 4 boys. He proudly told us one son has gone on a mission. They go to the Wetzlar Ward. It was nice to talk to him.

There are very old things in this cathedral.

This life-sized Pieta in the Wetzlar Cathedral dates back to the 1300s. Because He died, we all will live again. What a gift!

A beautiful wedding.

This outer room on the west of the cathedral was called the room of the Gentiles.

The plaque above tells about the figures in the south portal (1200s), representing a devil embracing a Jew.  Because of such traditions, through the centuries, Jews were persecuted by Christians, and millions were killed.  This plaque says, “we want to be careful that the dignity and rights of all people are protected.”  This is signed by both the Protestant and the Catholic congregations.

Interesting sundials:

This is the oldest half-timber house in Wetzlar, built in 1356.  You can see how the sides of the house are built out at each storey.  Taxes were paid based on the footprint of the dwelling, not on the square footage.

As we wandered, we bumped into these Sister Missionaries on their way to a lesson.  They were delightful!

We headed towards the river and the old bridge.

These old homes are covered in slate tiles.

Here’s another beautiful old church, the Hospital Church, preparing for an evening service.

Cobblestone detail outside the church:

The old bridge over the river was built in 1288.

Our next stop was Mr B’s Burgers.  This little burger place is owned by a church member in Wetzlar.

Oh my goodness, these burgers were DELICIOUS!!

As we headed back to where we started, I started noticing Stolpersteine in the pavement in front of some old homes.

I always feel sad when I see the names and details of the tragic killing that took place.

Our last stop was the Lottehaus, the home where Goethe’s unrequited love, Lotte, lived.

Before leaving, we stopped back at the cathedral, now that the wedding was over, just to take one last look inside.

I just never really get tired of looking at old homes and churches and cobblestone streets and interesting doors and flower boxes.  It’s all so interesting and beautiful and I can feel that my people, my ancestors, came from this land.  I love being here.