Part 18b: Barbarossastadt - Gelnhausen

Gelnhausen -one of my favorite towns, was founded by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa in 1170, it is therefore nicknamed "Barbarossastadt".

Perched on a steep hillside overlooking the Kinzig valley, it is a wonderment of ancient timbered houses and narrow cobbled streets encircled by medieval walls.


The moated Imperial Palace of Frederick I (Barbararossa,”Red Beard”) was built [ 1170-1200] below the town on an island in the Kinzig river supported by 12,000 driven piles [a job that would have kept New Mexico Man in work for a lifetime]. Today it is the best preserved palatinate castle from this era.

It is said, that Barbarossa awakens from his sleep in a mountain in central Germany every hundred years to see if Germany needs his help. Sometimes he and King Arthur get together and play cards. On this day, he played tag with the Fearless Castle Tower Climber Woman.



Walked the ivy-ladened walls of the ruins which made my trusty side-kick become rather faint of heart. He watched, breath held, while I performed fearless pirouettes atop this wall.

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Most people are afraid to pirouette. Admit it, I am Fearless.

Part 18a: Friedrich Rückert's “Barbarossa”

The ancient Barbarossa,Friedrich, the Kaiser great,Within the castle-cavern, sits in enchanted state.

He did not die; but ever waits in the chamber deep,Where hidden under the castle he sat himself to sleep.

The splendor of the Empire he took with him away,And back to earth will bring it when dawns the promised day.

The chair is ivory purest whereof he makes his bed;The table is of marble whereon he props his head.

His beard, not flax, but burning with fierce and fiery glow,Right through the marble table beneath his chair does grow.

He nods in dreams and winketh with dull, half-open eyes,And once a page he beckons beckons--a page that standeth by.

He bids the boy in slumber "O dwarf, go up this hour,And see if still the ravens are flying round the tower;

And if the ancient ravens still wheel above us here,Then must I sleep enchanted for many a hundred year."

~Friedrich Rückert
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Most people are afraid of old poetry. Admit it, I am Fearless.