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beelikejIt's been over a month when I posted my first picspam of my worktrip to the Czech Republic (aka Czechia) [LJ]. This is part two, which starts after the final morning of the conference, when I had a whole afternoon to explore the hills of Mikulov. It has lots of chapels on a holy hill, awesome views, butterflies and a batcave with the most adorable bats! Let's goooo!
Wednesday, 6 April 2022: Last day in Mikulov
One last worklunch: pumpkin cream soup and bread with sauerkraut, potatoes and meat. Of course I also had ALL the pastries <3
After lunch I first did a quick round for souvenirs in the village, found out it was much warmer outside than I thought, so I brought my goodies and hoodie back to the hotel, before going on my afternoon adventure:)
I walk to the edge of Mikulov, where a small street ends in stairs that indicate the start of the climb towards Svatý kopeček (Holy Hill).
That small white temple up there is the first of fourteen tiny chapels that form The Way of The Cross, a pilgrimage site originating back to 1630 with the final chapels built in 1775. Inside each chapel there are sculptures or wallpaintings telling the story of Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion; this first one represents Jesus saying goodbye to Mary.
Don't forget to look back whenever you're climbing: view of the Mikulov castle.
Onwards to the next temple!
Another beautiful view. The third chapel is decorated with sculptures of the sleeping apostles Peter, James and John.
This fifth chapel's interior consists of a tiny rock cave and the scene depicts the Coronation of Christ with the crown of thorns.
Still climbing; on the way there are information panels, not only about the chapels, but also about the animals and plants you can encounter in this nature reserve.
The interior of chapel #6 shows another scene from the Passion story, the chapel is built into the rocks, just like chapel #7 on the next photo.
The statue in chapel #7 is older than the chapel: it shows Jesus carrying the cross.
Look how high up I am already! You can see the North-West side of Mikulov from here.
Pretty yellow flowers and another lovely view.
Is that a dandelion? Hang in there!
Getting closer to the top of the hill; a glorious view over the vineyards below!
So, so beautiful: the South-West side of Mikulov. This is where my colleagues, who started their walk half an hour after me, caught up with me. (Because I know I always take my time making photos, I had decided to go my own way, but I was extra slow because I had my arm in a sling and had to be more careful finding my balance)
Oooh, first view of the top of the hill!
Chapel #8 is one of the original seven Stations of the Cross from the 1630s and became the 8th when the route was extended. At present it holds a fresco depicting Jesus meeting the women of Jerusalem.
These purple flowers are Kosatec nizký, a pygmy Iris!
Climbing up to the ninth chapel.
I can't get enough of these views!
Standing next to chapel #11, looking at the top of the hill
Interior of chapel #11 is a relatively recent fresco of Jesus being nailed to the cross, painted by Rudolf Gajdoš in 1952.
On top of Mikulov Holy Hill are Saint Sebastian's Chapel (1630) and the Bell Tower (1632).
These are not the end of the Pilgrimage route, that continues a little longer; see below
Ahw, you can get a stamp as proof of making it to the top (362.7m), cute!
The central structure of the Saint Sebastian's Chapel comprises a Greek Cross footprint with a cupola and a nearly square-shaped vestry.
The trail continues through the fields to chapel #12: a consecration to Our Lady of Sorrows.
On the next hill, slightly lower (360m), is Obnova kaple božího hrobu; the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre (~1644). This is a copy of the original Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where Jesus was laid after the Crucifixion.
The staircase leading up to the gallery outside of the chapel consists of 33 steps, symbolising the lenght of Jesus' life.
Behind the Holy Sepulchre is the last chapel: station #14, tadaah!
While I was debating whether I should follow the trail to the Quarry in the East, my colleague D. came running up the hill (for real!) to invite me to join the rest of the group, who were gonna make their way to the batcave. Obviously I chose the latter!
Walking back we noticed a lot of butterflies and D. managed to make that gorgeous close-up <3
Walking down the other side of the hill towards the North of Mikulov; the boxes on the left are bee-hives. I managed to snap a picture of another colourful butterfly:)
We walked through town and I finally found a pothole cover with Czech on it. (Unfortunately it doesn't say Mikulov, Břeclav is the nearest big town)
Through the trees you can see the amphitheatre, a culture and sports ground where we found a canteen to sit down for a drink (after we discovered there wasn't a tourguid available for the batcave yet; we had to wait about an hour)
Check out the nice shield of Mikulov on the trash can:)
Trail to the batcave and looking back at the chapels on top of Holy Hill where we came from (so.much.walking.)
Are you ready to climb down into the cave? There were many different rock formation, natural and from excavation.
These rocks look like reef and the formation on the right is called the shark's mouth:)
BATS! So many cute little bats, right above our heads. Sssh, they're sleeping, ahw.
More bats and more reef-like rockformations.
A nook with all sorts of finds from the excavations and more tiny batssss.
There are three species living in these batcaves, on the left you see a group of fluffy, hairy bats. I also took a selfie with a bunch of smooth bats :-D
Look at this beauty, striking a pose!
Can you spot the group of bats on the rocks?
Outside again for a walk back to town. So green, especially after the dark cave.
These lettered bricks again, same ones I saw on my first exploration of town.
View over the wall of the large Jewish cemetery; Mikulov has a lot of Jewish heritage (dating back to 1369)
One final site, one final climb up a hill to Kozí hrádek (Goat tower), a watch tower from the 15th century.
White tree blossom underneath the goat tower and another glorious view of Mikulov.
Before we descent into town, one final look at Holy Hill at the other side of Mikulov. *happy sigh*
On our walk back to the hotel, we encounter even more people from the conference and we decide to have a final dinner together after freshening up.
Our group filled up the tiny restaurant but the lone (and delicious) waiter handled it bravely. I ordered an equally tasty grilovaný hovězí pupek s pepřovou omáčkou, hranolky (grilled flank steak in peppersauce with fries). For dessert I had a warm plum crumble with cream, mmmmmmm.
Thursday, 7 April 2022: all day traveling home
Breakfast with pancakes and a last plate of pastries, such a treat. I meet up in the lobby (still eeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaarly) with T. and D.
D had offered to drive T. and me to the trainstation in Břeclav (he's driving all the way back to the Netherlands by himself!). There T. and I get on the CE (fast train) across the border to Austria. Goodbye Czechia!
At the mainstation in Vienna we catch the train to the airport, where I see mountains behind the landing strip!
Due to a storm in Amsterdam, we are told after boarding that we have to wait for an hour before we can fly. Goodbye Austria!
The flight is smooth, the landing indeed a bit bumpy because of the storm, but hello Netherlands! From the airport I take the train back home (first class with my business card again, oh yes.
J.
X-posted to https://beelikej.livejournal.com/574993.html
Wednesday, 6 April 2022: Last day in Mikulov
One last worklunch: pumpkin cream soup and bread with sauerkraut, potatoes and meat. Of course I also had ALL the pastries <3
After lunch I first did a quick round for souvenirs in the village, found out it was much warmer outside than I thought, so I brought my goodies and hoodie back to the hotel, before going on my afternoon adventure:)
I walk to the edge of Mikulov, where a small street ends in stairs that indicate the start of the climb towards Svatý kopeček (Holy Hill).
That small white temple up there is the first of fourteen tiny chapels that form The Way of The Cross, a pilgrimage site originating back to 1630 with the final chapels built in 1775. Inside each chapel there are sculptures or wallpaintings telling the story of Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion; this first one represents Jesus saying goodbye to Mary.
Don't forget to look back whenever you're climbing: view of the Mikulov castle.
Onwards to the next temple!
Another beautiful view. The third chapel is decorated with sculptures of the sleeping apostles Peter, James and John.
This fifth chapel's interior consists of a tiny rock cave and the scene depicts the Coronation of Christ with the crown of thorns.
Still climbing; on the way there are information panels, not only about the chapels, but also about the animals and plants you can encounter in this nature reserve.
The interior of chapel #6 shows another scene from the Passion story, the chapel is built into the rocks, just like chapel #7 on the next photo.
The statue in chapel #7 is older than the chapel: it shows Jesus carrying the cross.
Look how high up I am already! You can see the North-West side of Mikulov from here.
Pretty yellow flowers and another lovely view.
Is that a dandelion? Hang in there!
Getting closer to the top of the hill; a glorious view over the vineyards below!
So, so beautiful: the South-West side of Mikulov. This is where my colleagues, who started their walk half an hour after me, caught up with me. (Because I know I always take my time making photos, I had decided to go my own way, but I was extra slow because I had my arm in a sling and had to be more careful finding my balance)
Oooh, first view of the top of the hill!
Chapel #8 is one of the original seven Stations of the Cross from the 1630s and became the 8th when the route was extended. At present it holds a fresco depicting Jesus meeting the women of Jerusalem.
These purple flowers are Kosatec nizký, a pygmy Iris!
Climbing up to the ninth chapel.
I can't get enough of these views!
Standing next to chapel #11, looking at the top of the hill
Interior of chapel #11 is a relatively recent fresco of Jesus being nailed to the cross, painted by Rudolf Gajdoš in 1952.
On top of Mikulov Holy Hill are Saint Sebastian's Chapel (1630) and the Bell Tower (1632).
These are not the end of the Pilgrimage route, that continues a little longer; see below
Ahw, you can get a stamp as proof of making it to the top (362.7m), cute!
The central structure of the Saint Sebastian's Chapel comprises a Greek Cross footprint with a cupola and a nearly square-shaped vestry.
The trail continues through the fields to chapel #12: a consecration to Our Lady of Sorrows.
On the next hill, slightly lower (360m), is Obnova kaple božího hrobu; the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre (~1644). This is a copy of the original Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where Jesus was laid after the Crucifixion.
The staircase leading up to the gallery outside of the chapel consists of 33 steps, symbolising the lenght of Jesus' life.
Behind the Holy Sepulchre is the last chapel: station #14, tadaah!
While I was debating whether I should follow the trail to the Quarry in the East, my colleague D. came running up the hill (for real!) to invite me to join the rest of the group, who were gonna make their way to the batcave. Obviously I chose the latter!
Walking back we noticed a lot of butterflies and D. managed to make that gorgeous close-up <3
Walking down the other side of the hill towards the North of Mikulov; the boxes on the left are bee-hives. I managed to snap a picture of another colourful butterfly:)
We walked through town and I finally found a pothole cover with Czech on it. (Unfortunately it doesn't say Mikulov, Břeclav is the nearest big town)
Through the trees you can see the amphitheatre, a culture and sports ground where we found a canteen to sit down for a drink (after we discovered there wasn't a tourguid available for the batcave yet; we had to wait about an hour)
Check out the nice shield of Mikulov on the trash can:)
Trail to the batcave and looking back at the chapels on top of Holy Hill where we came from (so.much.walking.)
Are you ready to climb down into the cave? There were many different rock formation, natural and from excavation.
These rocks look like reef and the formation on the right is called the shark's mouth:)
BATS! So many cute little bats, right above our heads. Sssh, they're sleeping, ahw.
More bats and more reef-like rockformations.
A nook with all sorts of finds from the excavations and more tiny batssss.
There are three species living in these batcaves, on the left you see a group of fluffy, hairy bats. I also took a selfie with a bunch of smooth bats :-D
Look at this beauty, striking a pose!
Can you spot the group of bats on the rocks?
Outside again for a walk back to town. So green, especially after the dark cave.
These lettered bricks again, same ones I saw on my first exploration of town.
View over the wall of the large Jewish cemetery; Mikulov has a lot of Jewish heritage (dating back to 1369)
One final site, one final climb up a hill to Kozí hrádek (Goat tower), a watch tower from the 15th century.
White tree blossom underneath the goat tower and another glorious view of Mikulov.
Before we descent into town, one final look at Holy Hill at the other side of Mikulov. *happy sigh*
On our walk back to the hotel, we encounter even more people from the conference and we decide to have a final dinner together after freshening up.
Our group filled up the tiny restaurant but the lone (and delicious) waiter handled it bravely. I ordered an equally tasty grilovaný hovězí pupek s pepřovou omáčkou, hranolky (grilled flank steak in peppersauce with fries). For dessert I had a warm plum crumble with cream, mmmmmmm.
Thursday, 7 April 2022: all day traveling home
Breakfast with pancakes and a last plate of pastries, such a treat. I meet up in the lobby (still eeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaarly) with T. and D.
D had offered to drive T. and me to the trainstation in Břeclav (he's driving all the way back to the Netherlands by himself!). There T. and I get on the CE (fast train) across the border to Austria. Goodbye Czechia!
At the mainstation in Vienna we catch the train to the airport, where I see mountains behind the landing strip!
Due to a storm in Amsterdam, we are told after boarding that we have to wait for an hour before we can fly. Goodbye Austria!
The flight is smooth, the landing indeed a bit bumpy because of the storm, but hello Netherlands! From the airport I take the train back home (first class with my business card again, oh yes.
J.
X-posted to https://beelikej.livejournal.com/574993.html