Die Rosen Hoehe (The Rose Hill Park)
I, Ilona, am painting a picture with words of a most beautiful park in the city of Darmstadt in the state of Hessen, a Dukedom in Germany up until 1933, when Germany became a dictator ship under Adolf Hitler, becoming the chancellor, appointed by the Emperor Friedrich the Great, after Germany’s complete destruction during WWI in 1918.
The Grand Duke and his family still remained our Gross Herzog (Grand Duke) but no longer in power, just as our Symbol, highly respected and honored. The beautiful park on the hill of the Artist Colony had a grand entry of a sculpted iron gate with tall pillars, on top each pillar a Lion, the code of arms of the grand Duke’s family. Going through this beautiful, ornate entry, one may pause by a white/blue little house, the amazing interior kept up by the family with dolls, furniture and fresh flowers. It was the play house of Princess Elisabeth. A rich and ever lasting history to be proud of.
The Garden is a symphony of flowers, alabaster statues and white crushed rock, rolled, a soft, firm walk on your feet. Benches to sit and dream and continue on to the far end of the park. Here we are standing in front of a grave side of a beautiful child, Elisabeth the youngest daughter of Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig.
Before WWII started, the whole family were flying to a royal wedding in England for the princess of the family in Darmstadt. There were three sisters in the Duke’s family. His wife, her sister who married into the British royalty and the third sister who had married the Russian Czar, the Czarina Alexandra. On their way to England the plane crashed and killed all on board, Elisabeth, the little girl, not being with the family on the plane, later died also. The story that was told, she died of poisoning. A very tragic story ending part of the Grand Duke’s family.
They left behind the most beautiful and artistic buildings, parks and endless memories to the people of Darmstadt.
1. The entry to the Rose Hill Park.
2. The play house of Princess Elisabeth.
3. The Graveside of Princess Elisabeth.
4. The funeral procession of the royal family. Horses, pulling a flat truck with all the coffins, draped completely, coming up the Rhine Street to end at the Rose Hill Park.
Such a tragic story of Princess Elisabeth! So well told by Ilona, and these pictures are so beautiful and haunting.
What an exquisite posting. The contrast between the beauty and the tragedy is breathtaking. And the photos are striking. Thank you for reflecting on this most significant place and time. Again, you transport your readers right into the time and place with you. Love, Sharon