Tags
Colosseum, Germany, Jimi Hendrix, Nazi Germany, Nazi party rally grounds, Nuremberg, Nuremberg Trials, One earth, One flag for Earth, one solar system, Peace, World War II
Peace Quote by Jimi Hendrix
Maybe when people truly understand that we are all citizens of the same beautiful planet, sharing the same vaporous atmosphere within the same radiant solar system, perhaps then….they may at last realize, it is not their country that they need to protect but rather our entire living breathing Earth, along with its place among the stars in our shimmering Milky Way.
After all the destruction, the atrocities of World War II, and all of the other major wars that came long before that, it’s quite confounding to find that there are still people on our wonderful planet that believe terror and violence constitute an appropriate means of resolving conflict!
Hitler’s Colosseum, Nuremberg, Germany.
Ah well….. that’s enough of my soap box for now other than to say please….we must all advocate peace whenever we can.
Well it was Day 8 of our European River Cruise. We’d docked early in Nuremberg that morning.
2nd World War, Nuremberg Museum, Germany.
To start the day, Dearly Beloved (D.B.) and I had chosen to visit several of the more solemn areas within this historical city called Nuremberg, Germany (population about 510,000); areas and places that, for us, had become so much a part of our own modern-day history, as we’d grown up in Australia just after all of the catastrophic destruction of World War 2. Indeed, during our childhoods, other wars still raged close by in Vietnam and Korea.
We therefore felt it important that we pay our respects and honour our fallen. We also hoped that the day’s sightseeing choices would allow us to gain a greater…much deeper….understanding.
The Colosseum, Exhibit in Nuremberg Museum, Germany.
We would be heading off to visit Hitler’s uncompleted Colosseum, along with the the Zeppelinfeld and the Courts of the Nuremberg War Trials.
Hitler had wanted to build a Colosseum of truly grand proportions. It was never completed. Today it is a museum housing many documents and newsreels (very old movies) from the 2nd World War. It stands solidly as a macabre reminder of past atrocities and as a fervent symbol of caution to our current and future generations.
Arial view of Colesseum, Nuremberg, Germany.
Money Exhibit, Nuremberg Museum, Germany.
Historical photographs, Nuremberg Museum, Germany.
Historical faces, Nuremberg Museum, Germany
After passing the Colosseum we travelled on to the Zeppelinfeld, originally known as the Nazi Party Rally grounds. It was enormous; far bigger than one would think. It evidently catered for some 200,000 spectators and many more thousands of participants during the early rally years. Just to be there… to actually see where this person once stood rallying a nation actually filled me with the most eerie and unpleasant feeling.
The Zepplinfeld, Nuremberg, Germany.
Since the war, the Zepplinfeld has become a vacant and unused area of the city. It is mainly a sightseeing venue for tourists. On occasion, it has also been used as a venue for school football events and as a race track. It was also been used infrequently for rock festivals.
Today the Zeppelinfeld is crumbling; much in need of repair. The Government is quite controversially talking about spending money to maintain its structure. This is believed by some to be a scandalous project. But if repairs were to take place, it is envisaged that the area would continue to be used mainly as a tourist destination. It may house another museum…..I myself believe it is important for us to see the reminders…….lest we forget!
We then travelled on to the Nuremberg Palace of Justice; the actual court location of the Nuremberg War Trials. This is where the Allied Forces of World War 2 tried a large number of the most notable Nazi war criminals; mostly the more prominent members of the old political, military, and economic leadership of Nazi Germany.
Palace of Justice, Nuremberg, Germany.
I would have to say that the morning’s visits were thought provoking, unsettling, emotional and moving.
Would I have wanted to miss the experiences? No not at all….I don’t think so.
Some things in life still need to be experienced even when they prove difficult.
Afterall such experiences still enlighten us and thereby contribute to our awareness…..our unique understandings and central core of inner beliefs.
But I’m told we’re now living in the 21st century…Time now I believe to have a united flag for our earth and our solar system….. rather than just our country!
We need one flag symbolising our Earth and our Solar System for all nations and all people to raise high! The sooner the better.
- I believe we need to unite under just one flag as we see our allegiance for planet earth and all of its life forms interconnected through our solar system.
European Holiday and River Cruising Memoirs 
Great post Michelle! I can’t agree more, we need to care for the whole planet, not divide it and destroy parts we don’t “own.”
So true Jnenadic. I think we need to unite together under a “One Earth” flag rather that individual country flags. Maybe then we’ll realise we all have a responsibility to unite look after both the planet and its people.
I sure how someday we can see that, before it is too late!
The Hendrix quote is one of my favouites of all time, Michelle. This day of your trip must have been quite emotionally draining. Thanks for sharing the photos. It was good to see the Palace of Justice.
Glad you liked the photos Sylvia. The Palace of Justice and the Zeppelinfeld were both rather challenging. It was somehow eerie just to stand in the same space that these historical figures had stood and reflect the terrible impacts their lives had on others. It somehow seemed to amplify my feelings to another level altogether. I know what you mean about the Hendrix quote. I think it’s spot on.
In the scheme of things it probably doesn’t matter, but I addressed you as Lindy in a previous reply. I don’t actually know your name and Kidazzleink doesn’t roll off my tongue. Apologies offered.
I have deliberately chosen not to visit Auschwitz. I really don’t think I need to in order to understand evil. Books on the subject are harrowing enough. The sad thing is that the evil that was perpetrated by Hitler and his cronies continues in this world in different guises. I can’t help feeling that we are seriously flawed as a species. I wish it were not so. Thank you for trying to generate a little love.l
Hi Jo, it’s Michelle.
you know, I think Auschwitz would be even more difficult to visit. I’m not sure I could handle that one either. However, I do believe many of our countries have learnt something from our lessons past. Its often a slow and complicated process. I liken it to the children I work with at school. You don’t just say it once. Things have to be repeated many times over until the intent of the message and the learning is properly digested and understood. But the Youtube video I’ve posted a link to already is wonderful. I’ll repost it here. I believe we all need to spend a little time watching it and get behind the Day for Peace each September. That way the conversations and the learning will continue.
http://onenessofhumanity.wordpress.com/tag/peace-one-day/
Do have a look if you have time.
I did. Thanks, Michelle 🙂 The cynic in me still says that it won’t stop evil and self-interest, but I love the man’s passion. I’ve tweeted the article and will tweet your post. We have to start somewhere.
Thanks Jo. I’m afraid I’m a bit of a never say “never” or “can’t” person and yes probably a bit of an idealist too. But I do believe that small things can become big things. I believe we’d probably also be engaged in a lot more conflict even now if we didn’t have these strong advocacy groups and international bodies such as the U.N. who just continue with their advocacy despite everything. Thanks for tweeting the message on too. I much appreciate it. Really do.
you are so right, maybe if enough of us rise up against the governments and businesses that are trashing our beautiful earth we might have some effect …. I keep having visions of standing about with placards, perhaps to save the Great Barrier Reef …
Yes we need to advocate for it’s protection. I sometimes think we all forget that planet Earth is home to all of us. We need to look after it. I’m also concerned that innocent children and their families are still being caught up in the violence caused by conflicts and age old feuds between governments and countries. I think just having Sept 21 as a day for peace may at least get everyone on the same page and may start the conversations we all need to have about these issues.
Thanks Mindful. Glad you liked it.And yes I do believe it’s most important that we all start by promoting peace ourselves…. within our homes and our communities. Jerry at “Peacemaker” just got back to me in relation to the article link “oneness-of-humanity” which I put at the bottom of my blog post. In his reply he made reference to another short but powerful quote by Chief Seattle, “I will fight no more.” Many things start small then gather momentum on the way. There is a video link at the bottom of the article which I believe everyone should take the time to watch.
http://onenessofhumanity.wordpress.com/tag/peace-one-day/
We all need to get behind “Peace one Day” which is now celebrated on September 21 each year. If peace for one day can make such a difference imagine what peace for 365 days a year could do!
I loved this post, though love may seem an odd word for so solemn a subject. But yes, it is important that we know what has happened and what we need to do so that these horrific events are never repeated. I would like to think the human race can reach a higher plane…. but history repeats itself. In the end maybewe can only seek to be peaceful ourselves and spread that wherever we go.