Day 7: Ansfelden, Kefermarkt & Windhaag
Our first stop was Bruckner's birthplace in Ansfelden. Our path from St. Florian to Ansfelden was in reverse of the way that Bruckner and his mother must have traveled after his Father died and when young Anton was sent to live at the monastery. Unfortunately, the birth house was under renovation at the time, but it bodes well that more attention is being given to Bruckner and that the modest exhibit will be improved. The Anton Bruckner Community Center was open and our acquisitive band of travelers quickly overtaxed the inventory of their small souvenir shop. Our next stop was Kefermarkt where a small church is the site of an old and exquisitely carved winged altar that was built between 1490 and 1497. As amazing as this triptych style alter is, the artist who created it is unknown. Our tour guide then suggested a lunch at a local brewery associated with an old castle. The brewery, needless to say, has been around for a long time. Judging from the escalating revelry of the group, it was a great choice for food and drink. Our last Bruckner-related stop was the small schoolhouse in Windhaag. Anyone who has read Bruckner's biography knows that Windhaag was Bruckner's first post as a teacher. Given its size and rural setting, it was not a good fit and Bruckner appealed for a transfer and was eventually granted a move to Kronstorf, where his conditions were greatly improved. The village is still very small and rural and it was clear that tourist buses were a rarity. The town and the old lady who lives in the school house were not prepared for our invasion. |
