Our Neighbor: Schloss Blutenburg

This moated 15th - century castle in Obermenzing-Pasing is just down our street, Kornberger Weg, via the walking/bike path alongside of the river. The castle is very romantic and was originally built as a love-nest for Agnes Bermauer by her secret lover, Duke Albrecht III, in 1438. Supposedly, they married but the Dukes' father, Ernest, Duke of Bavaria, didn't like his choice of a wife and prefered he marry another. Soon after the magical castle was built she was accused of being a witch, by her father-in-law and was drowned in the Danube river at Straubing.

These drownings were fascinating as well. Here is an account from the Discovery Channel:

Once someone had been accused, they were often tortured, so that they would confess to consorting with the devil and name other witches. Once they were found guilty, if they survived the torture, they were hanged, burned or crushed beneath heavy stones. Another popular method of determining if someone was a witch was drowning. If the person sank, he or she was found innocent, but by then it was too late to save them. If they floated they were deemed a witch, because they are opposed to baptism and so the water would reject them.

The story of Agnes, according to Wikipedia:

"Agnes was the daughter and/or maid of a barber surgeon in Augsburg. In 1432, she was secretly married to Albert III, the Bavarian heir apparent, the only son of Ernest, Duke of Bavaria and Elisabetta Visconti. His maternal grandfather Bernabò Visconti was Lord of Milan. Another, less common, version has her being merely his mistress. She lived at Schloss Vohburg. Albert's father had planned that Albert would marry the daughter of Duke Erich of Brunswick. One day, Ernst brought the matter up, and Albert explained that "because of fornication with a maiden" the wedding would have to be called off—Agnes was his lawful wife.
However, after Duke Ernst arranged for Albert's absence, he ordered Agnes' arrest and had her charged with witchcraft, because he could not accept his son's choice of wife. On October 12, 1435, she was drowned in the Danube at Straubing. Suddenly her leg bindings loosened and she was able to swim to the bank. But the executioner was waiting for her, and he held her head under the water until she was dead.
About Agnes herself, little is known. Her childhood, her thoughts, and her character remain murky. The only thing that can be said of her is that she was very beautiful and of delicate structure. In addition, she is said to have had magnificent blond hair. Albert called her worthy and respectable.
After her death, Albert took himself to Duke Louis at Ingolstadt, but he reconciled with his father that November. In 1436, he married Anna of Brunswick, but nevertheless in 1447, he had the bones of "ehrsamen Frau Agnesen der Pernawerin" ("The honorable Lady Agnes of Pernawerin") brought to the sepulcher (Agnes-Bernauer-Kapelle) in the cemetery of St. Peter zu Straubing and covered with a marble gravestone.
Every four years in Straubing at the original location, the ducal castle, the Agnes Bernauer Festival takes place. In the festival, Agnes' story is told in scenes by the laymen actors of the Agnes Bernauer Festival Guild.
Many cities and communities have christened a street or plaza "Der Bernauerin" after Agnes."

It was also a one time summer residence of the Wittlesbach residence. It has a chapel full of treasures and contains an international collection of children's books-the largest library of youth literature in the world, with over 500,000 books is some 100 different languages.

Today, Jaci, Steve, and Uncle Fred decided to take a morning walk along the path to visit the Schloss Blutenburg. Meanwhile, I got a headstart on Steve's Birthday Cake. "Happy 55th Birthday" sweetheart! Actually, it isn't a cake at all. It is an apple torte, but the intentions are the same.

The day started off cool, but now the sun is shining. The folks had a great time on their "Walk About" in Obermenzing-Pasing. I've included some photos of the Schloss for you to see. It is especially beautiful at winter time I've been told. The swans use is as their habitat all year. In the especially cold months the children use it as their ice skating pond and they serve hot gluwein and hot chocolate to the skaters at the Schloss.

Here is a photo of the Bibliotech that houses the collection of children's books. From time to time there are different gatherings at the Schloss. Last weekend was a German Weiss Wein tasting (White wine tasting). At the moment it is celebrating it's 60th anniversary and there are activities planned for this occasion.

We decided to have a "down day," today after the schloss and dinner. Our afternoon was spent with travel arrangements. We have changed our travel plans because of the weather that is threatening to be downright frigid way up in the Alps. Instead, we are heading west and traveling to areas in and around Lake Lucerne in Switzerland where we shall be cosseted in warmth. Our plans are to stay there for two days and then spend another night near the Black Forest before returning back to Munich on Friday. We are in negotiations right now with the help of our travel agent from the U.S. for finding the right hotel with at least 3 bedrooms near one another. We should know in a few hours where we will be staying and I will pass the information on to you through this blog. There may be a delay in receiving the next three days activities, but I promise to post as soon as we return.