Altotting - Black Madonna; Plague; Berchtesgaden

Many fountains and statues commemorate the Plague in Europe - Plague began in Constantinople in about 1334 and was spread by Crusaders returning to Europe.

Some estimates provide that, in 20 years alone, half the population of Europe was decimated.

This fountain shows the skeleton of death in various modes, going around and around. I believe it was in Altotting, but am not sure.

The painted alpine building may mean closer to or at Oberammergau, where the dramas memorialize the Black Death era and the city's survival. See http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/plague.htm

This Black Madonna is at Altotting, south, near the alpine region - found by chance. There were many pilgrims here. Am trying to find research on why so many black madonnas are in France -- dark-skinned family makes sense, but it not part of our regular tradition. Legends say that Mary Magdelene went to France - are there villages where she is said to have given accounts or other stories put the color at the forefront?

The guidebooks do not always tell when there is a black madonna. Many seem to be from the 12-15th centuries, smaller ones (as in Guadalupe, Spain) far earlier- even in the first centuries after.

We also found black madonnas in France and Spain. always looking for these, and we found more. Internet sites for Black Madonnas offer listings of those known to date, and possible explanations.

The Black Madonna is in this church-type setting. I recall it more as a "housing" for it.





Berchtesgaden: You may want to plan trips that include higher Alps for late May at least. We were there in early May - this eyrie was supposed to be open, but weather stepped in. Snow still blocked the higher reaches of the Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden, see www.berchtesgaden.de/en/0bdc1363-087c-bab2-2b92-18496490c6bc. This is where Hitler had his headquarters. Had been there in earlier year, but sorry to miss this time.