August 11th

Joseph Haydn's remains

Schloss Esterhazy

Passion of the Christ

Today we got up bright and early at 8am and made our way to the city of Eisenstaedt before heading up to the Alps. We came to the front of the Esterhazy Palace, which marked the capital of the Burgenland state. According to our tour guide, Schloss Esterhazy was originally constructed in the 13^th century but came under the ownership of the Hungarian Esterhazy family in the year 1622. Under the direction of Paul the First, the palace became a Baroque seat of power for the Esterhazy family. We then headed to the Bergkirche in Eisenstaedt where the remains of Joseph Haydn lay entombed in a brilliant white marbled tomb. It was amazing to see how Bergkirche has one of the few remaining Haydn organs in the world and his remains. It was interesting to hear about the comparison between Mozart and Haydn. Haydn was happy to have the patronage of the Esterhazy family where as Mozart had a total falling out with his patron, the Archduke of Salzburg. It was interesting to see how a hymn that Haydn composed for the Hapsburgs of Austria was then used as the melody for unified Germany. I found that really interesting because I have long thought the German national anthem to be one of the most beautiful anthems in the world. It was quite a revelation to know that Haydn, one of the world’s great musical minds composed such a beautiful melody. I had no idea until I visited the city of Eisenstaedt as to the quality of music that Haydn could compose. Continuing into the Bergkirche I was exposed to the passion of the Christ, as this was re-enacted with models of the trials that Christ faced during his trial and subsequent crucifixion. It revealed to me once again how Catholic artwork emphasizes the absolute suffering of Christ. The Passion scenes in Bergkirche would have allowed even illiterate individuals to understand what happened to Christ without ever having to read the bible. It was very graphic but moving. One cannot help but feel moved by the distinct emotions that are carefully carved into the characters faces.  One would definitely not find that kind of artwork in any Protestant church because the ideals that Protestants believe in are much different when compared to the Catholics. Catholics believed that through good works, one would find salvation. So, with this being said, emphasizing Jesus’ death on the cross for the sins of all mankind would make Catholics aspire to live up to the model that Christ represents. For Protestants, God’s good grace is bestowed upon an individual, and through good behavior that person alone can be saved. That is what Martin Luther believed and is the central tenet of the Protestant branch of Christianity. They do not need to emphasize the suffering of Christ as the Catholics do because they believe that individuals realize what must be done to ensure salvation. After a full day in Eisenstaedt, we then loaded on the bus and drove to the base of our lodge in the Alps where we caught the gondola up to our hotel.