Sight-Seeing in Germany and the Tyrol in the Autumn of 1855 - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856. Excerpt: ... brick, owing to recent rains. We were now, in fact, in the heart of the Red Land, So celebrated in the age of the Minnesingers, and so well justifying its title to be so called; the rocks on the river banks being all composed of red sandstone, and the whole soil being brick-coloured. In dry weather the stream is clear. As we proceeded, the valley gradually expanded and lost its beauty, and at the Bebra station we found ourselves in an open country. But the railway here taking a turn to the east, we soon found ourselves amid kindred scenery in the valley of the Werra, which stream, here of considerable size, we skirted all the way to Eisenach, sometimes on the one bank sometimes on the other. These two valleys of the Fulda and Werra constitute a delightful tract to pass through, and can hardly be excelled by any scenery of the same soft, smiling, and gentle kind. Nor was the railway itself without its attractions, as we passed over several viaduct bridges, some lofty and bold; and through several tunnels, enhancing the daylight charms by the contrast of their gloom. EISENACH. We arrived at the Eisenach station at three. Leaving my luggage here, I immediately proceeded to the town. This is a small place of about 10,000 inhabitants, finely situated at the base of the Thuringian chain of hills, by which it is surmounted and half-surrounded. There being little or nothing in the town itself to interest the stranger, I immediately took a carriage and proceeded to visit the famous Wartburg, the base of which extends into the suburbs. The mountain is very steep, but the top, on which the old castle stands, is made easily accessible by a good road which winds around it through the fine woods by which its sides are covered. The varying views seen in the ascent and d...