Thursday, August 14, 2025

Obing

©Oberwirt in Obing
Red Baron was invited to a two-day birthday party in Obing, Bavaria. The jubilarian turned 90 and celebrated the event together with his extended family of over 60 people.

©Oberwirt in Obing
We stayed at the Oberwirt, enjoyed hospitable meals, and were invited to other activities such as golf, bridge, swimming, and sightseeing.

The hotel has a floating dock on the lake.
Of all these activities, Red Baron joined a group that first visited the neo-Gothic church in Rabenden and later the Seeon Benedictine monastery.

The impressive neo-Gothic steeple of St. Jacobus (St. James)
Already in Roman times, Rabenden was located on the vital traffic route between Augsburg and Salzburg, as evidenced by a milestone dating from 229. It is no wonder that salt was the main commodity transported here. This salt road also served as a pilgrimage route to the tomb of St. James in Compostela, with pilgrims using St. Jacobus as a welcome stopover.


The interior of the church is dominated by its Gothic high altar and side altars. The structures and figures, created around 1500, are attributed to the "Master of Rabenden," about whom nothing is known.
     

A detailed view of the winged altar. St. James the Elder, in the center, is recognized by his pilgrim's staff, shell, and hat. On the left, Simon the Zealot, holding his traditional martyrdom symbol, a double-handed saw. Judas Thaddaeus, on the right, referencing his martyrdom, features a large club.

The altar wings are painted with scenes from the Nativity cycle: the Annunciation, the Nativity, the visit of the Magi, and the presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Click on the image to enlarge).


A final view of St. James's impressive steeple.

Seeon monastery complex in an old engraving
Today's view (©Kloster Seeon)

Embedded in the monastery wall is the weathered cartouche of Abbot Columban I Freitlsperger (1653-1665). Archbishop Paris of Salzburg confirmed Columban, who was prior in 1653, as abbot.

Ascent to the monastery church St. Lambert

St. Lambert is a Romanesque column basilica with roots dating back to the 11th/12th century.


Note: St. Lambert is one of Freiburg's patron saints, depicted here on a stained glass window with the cross of St. George, another patron saint of the city.

A closer look at the crucifixion scene.


On our way out, we saw six remaining carts lined up in a meadow of originally 50 of an art installation from 2000 called LAUDEMIUM, i.e., contributions. These six remaining carts represent popular piety with their crucifixes, while the book symbolizes the famous caligraphic art of the early Seeon monastery; wine and fish represent natural offerings, and the skull symbolizes the cycle of life and death. The chickens, again, represent natural offerings. One cart, bearing the date 1804, is empty, as it symbolizes Napoleon's secularization and thus the end of all contributions to monasteries.
 

On the big evening of the festival, we enjoyed not only an excellent meal, but also folkloric performances such as Schuhplatteln.



Classical music was not neglected, as our host is blessed with an exceptionally musical family.

Back when the world was still in order
A stagecoach run by the postal service stops at the Oberwirt relay station. In the background, Obing's St. Laurentius Church points its neo-Gothic steeple into the Bavarian white-blue sky.


On the last day, Red Baron paid a visit to the Church of St. Laurentius. I went in front to disturb the sexton who was lighting the candles for the upcoming mass.


He pointed out the statue and casually remarked, "Laurentius is the patron saint of barbecue enthusiasts."

St. Laurentius shows his attribute, the iron grate on which he was roasted alive, in many churches. Here are two examples:

Stained glass window in Freiburg's
Minster (©mijoergens/Wikipedia)
Statue in Warendorf's St. Mary's church.
The photo was taken in 2006.
*

No comments:

Post a Comment