Würzburg
May 21- May 31
5/21:
~ Aline's cousin, Peter Himmel, kindly picked us up from
the train station, and drove us to a small town called
Marktsteft where Aline's mother grew up. The house has been
in the family for generations, thus is filled with memories
and stories from the past. Aline's aunt, Gudrun Himmel,
lives in the home alone, so that it can remain unscathed.
Exquisite historical artifacts can be found in every inch
of the manor.
History of the home:
- Originally, it was a place for community affairs, and
some of the rooms downstairs were used for prisoners of
light offenses. Adolf Kesselring, Aline's great great
uncle, purchased the home around 1920.
- It was preserved during WWII, and remains true to its
original state today.
History of Marktsteft:
- It has the oldest port in Bayern, and is still in its
original form. The port was built in 1711, and was used
until 1729.
- Population today: 1,300
Privatbraueri Kesselring:
- Kesselring is a private brewery located in Marksteft and
represents the largest grossing business in this small town
- Aline's Great Great Uncle Adolf Kessering started the
brewery in 1866, and still remains a family business, now
owned and run by her Uncle Eckhart Himmel
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5/22:
~ Aunt Gudrun went to the local bakery and butcher, so that
we could eat a traditional Frankish breakfast. (dark bread,
croissants, and pretzels with gelb Wurst and salami).
~ We went to the Marktsteft cemetary to water the flowers
on the gravesite of Aline's family. They have a large
family plot that now holds 16 family members dating back to
the late 1800's.
~ Aline's family met us for dinner at a local Italian
restaurant in the next city, Kitzingen. Afterwards, we went
to an Eisbar for some delicious ice cream.
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5/23:
~ At 13:00, Aline's Uncle Eckhart Himmel gave us a tour of
the brewery. He walked us through each processing room,
explaining every step of beer making. As a souvenir, he
gave each of us a traditional German Kesselring Bier mug!!
- The recipe for the beer includes only four ingredients by
German law:
1) Malt (bought from a malt factory, where they determine
the lightness or darkness for the appropriate type of beer)
2) Water (spring water from behind the brewery is filtered
on site)
3) Hops
4) Yeast (fermentation creates alcohol)
- No chemicals or additives allowed
- Over twenty various types of beverages are made here:
soft drinks, juices, energy drinks, and beer, changing over
time according to popularity.
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5/24:
~
We toured more of Marktsteft this beautiful sunny
day!
The old
port
The beautiful
family home we are staying in @
Marktsteft
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5/26-27:
~ We
visited Ochsental for a relaxing
weekend with friends of the family, Deeder, Paula, and
Will, at their beautiful homein this very small town.
~ This town is only seven houses long...and has the BEST
fresh honey ever!
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5/28"
~ "Wurzburger Weindorf"
- We enjoyed the potent wines and traditional food of
Franconia at the "Wurzburg Winefest"
