Through dense forests and over creeks and meadows, the path brought me up to the
top of the Jauerling, the highest mountain of the Wachau. It is 3000 feet high.
The trees just showed tiny green tops. It was still early spring here. Past storms had
uprooted sections of the forest; big trucks tires had dug deep grooves in the wet soil.
The area reminded me of a war zone. It was good to get out of that place.
Old barn with blossoming cherry trees
Granite rock, moss and trail marker
View to the Danube valley from the Jauerling
Dry thistle in the grass
I stayed overnight in Maria Laach. The village is famous for its pilgrimage church.
This church is a jewel of art and architecture. I liked the unusual and humorous little
details of the art objects. In one of the goethic altar pieces, Mary is holding a rosary
in her hand. Her hand has six fingers. On the main altar, Jesus is keeping a firm
hold on a poppy seed pacifier. It was common in this area to calm down babies with
poppy seeds. On one marble sarcophagus, a person peeks out from behind a curtain.
I spent hours in this church, just looking and observing.
Mary as Queen of Heaven with Jesus holding a poppy seed pacifier, part of a tryptich, 15th century
Detail of a marble sarcophagus
Text and pictures by Garyo