Russian College of Heraldry Gulgowski5 AIII

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A TRAVEL TO GERMANY

GERMANIA

FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF HISTORY
IN WESTPHALIA AND THE RHINELAND

by
Chev. Commodore Dr. Paul William Margrave Gulgowski-Doliwa
GCMS, GCDA, RCST, etc.
and
Dame Heide Anna Maria Margravine Gulgowski-Doliwa
GCMS, GCDA, RCST, etc.

     To follow the path of history in Europe in general and Germany in particular during a period of 10 days of vacation represents a sheer impossibility. However, wisely selecting a few well-chosen sites, where history has made an undeniable impact on the development of Central Europe is within the limiting scope of time and money. We trust our readers and friends will enjoy the following illustrations of our most recent travel exploits.

    One of the many central streets in the city of Münster, which was almost entirely destroyed during World War II, but was rebuilt according to early city plans of architectural design.

    Only selected vehicles are allowed within the center of the city. Pedestrians and bicyclists enjoy the utmost freedom of movement.

Sidewalk cafés and floral window decorations are everywhere.

    Close to the entrance of the Cathedral of Münster, the observing tourist notices Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's statue in a thinker's pose.

    From left: H.E. Bishop D. Abilio Ribas of Sao Tome and Principe and spiritual protector of the Royal Confraternity of Sao Teotonio; Chev. Commodore Dr. Paul W. Margrave Gulgowski-Doliwa; the Lord Mayor of Münster, Mrs. Reismann; H.R.H. Dom Miguel de Braganza, Duke of Viseu and Dame Heide Anna Maria Margravine Gulgowski-Doliwa in front of the altar in the Hall of Peace, in the old historic city hall of Münster where the peace of Westphalia was negotiated in 1648, ending the Thirty Years' War between the Protestants and Catholics.

Above the seating area for the peace treaty negotiators are portraits
of the ambassadors accredited to the peace negotiations.

A rooster, the symbol of France, one of the many contemporary artifacts displayed
in the Hall of Peace, which is also the historic birthplace of the Netherlands.

From left: H.R.H. the Duke of Braganza, Chev. Commodore Dr. Paul W. Margrave Gulgowski-Doliwa
and a protocol aide to the Duke of Braganza in front of the St. Clemens Church in Münster.

Chev. Commodore Dr. Paul W. Margrave Gulgowski-Doliwa with two young friends
in front of their castle-like hotel

Dame Heide Anna Maria Margravine Gulgowski-Doliwa in amicable conversation
with Count Ulisses Rolim, the Grand Prior of the Royal Confraternity of Sao Teotonio.

Chev. Commodore Dr. Paul W. Margrave Gulgowski-Doliwa speaks about world issues
with a recently retired French general.

    Good food, fine wine and outstanding conversation make a happy evening among new-found friends.

    Arriving in Cologne, a city founded by the Romans in the year 50 A.D. as a military encampment by the name of Colonia Agrippina.

    Chev. Commodore Dr. Paul W. Margrave Gulgowski-Doliwa and Dame Heide Anna Maria Margravine Gulgowski-Doliwa are paying their prayerful respects to St. Gereon (martyred by the Roman Emperor Maximian), the patron saint of the Sovereign Military Order of Swabia, the Knights of St. Gereon.

Inside of the Church of St. Gereon.

Exterior of the Church of St. Gereon.

    Koblenz, home of the Founding Commandery of the Teutonic Knights (the roof of the Old Commandery is visible to the left of the monument), is the northern gateway to the most romantic part of the Rhine river valley. At the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine rivers, please note the historic "German Corner" (Deutsches Eck), the prominent site of the statue of German Emperor and King of Prussia Wilhelm I, the German unification emperor, as proclaimed by Imperial Chancellor Prince Otto von Bismarck at Versailles in 1871. This photograph was taken from the ramparts of Fortress Ehrenbreitstein, from which this gorgeous view can be admired.

Proclamation in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles Palace of Wilhelm I, King of Prussia
to be German Emperor on 18 January 1871.

    The Rhine River, the main waterway between the North Sea and Switzerland, allowing for personal and material transport from the Netherlands to Switzerland and many points in between.

    Since time immemorial, castles protected the Rhine River, but also served as toll stations along the waterway.

This castle now serves as a restaurant and hotel.

    The Marksburg, a castle on the Rhine River that has never been destroyed or conquered. It eventually ended up in Prussian possession and served as a veterans' home.

    Stolzenfels Castle (in the distance), rather a small palace than a castle, served as honeymoon retreat for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on their wedding day on 10 February 1840.

    Dining in a historic, rustic restaurant, more than 800 years old, provides an ambience conducive to constructive conversation with good friends and beautiful ladies.

    Chev. Commodore Dr. Paul W. Margrave Gulgowski-Doliwa and Dame Heide Anna Maria Margravine Gulgowski-Doliwa enjoy a good cup of coffee on the garden patio at their friends' residence in the Düsseldorf area near the Rhine River.

    This concludes our pictorial report of our recent vacation to Europe.

    Our next traveling adventure will take us to Warsaw and Gdansk.

The Coat of Arms of Chev. Commodore Dr. Paul William Margrave Gulgowski-Doliwa
can be seen HERE

The Coat of Arms of Chev. Captain Paul William Margrave Gulgowski-Doliwa II
can be seen HERE