Imaging Germany 018: Reichsburg Entrance in Cochem (RP)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

018: Reichsburg entrance

One of the touristic highlights in the scenic city of Cochem – located at the Moselle River – is the Reichsburg: the Imperial Castle. Evidence indicates that the Burg must have existed in the 11th century, probably built by Count Ezzo. In the following six century the Burg took a central part in a historic game of thrones. In 1689, the castle was destroyed by the French troops of Louis XIV. It took two centuries until a rich entrepreneur from Berlin – Louis Ravené – took the initiative to have the castle rebuilt, in the neogothic style. Seven compartments refurbished with furniture from the neorenaissance and neobaroque periods. The photograph shows the entrance gate with the “Witch Tower” on the right.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 1991-2001, 2017

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Imaging Brazil 375: Horse-Powered Carriage in Petrópolis. RJ (2012)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

375: Horse-powered carriage

When you visit the historic imperial city of Petrópolis, located at about 70 km from Rio de Janeiro, you will observe the ancient carriages pulled by horses. The carriages were brought to Petrópolis by English traders from Plymouth in 1846. Such a carriage is called a Victoria, named after the British queen. Decades later, they were used for touristic purposes, and since 1940, the Victorias carry large numbers of Brazilian and foreign tourists along the historic and architectural highlights of the city. However, the exploitation of the carriages and horses created serious controversy about the bad treatment of the horses. A referendum will be held in 2018 whether the use of carriages may continue or that they should be replaced by electric cars, for example.  

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2012, 2017