when I lived in a Castle

I lived in a Castle named Gross Stein for a short time during WWII

I was born a Baroness in Berlin Germany during the war, as the bombings grew more intense on Berlin my father was invited by his good friend Count von Strachwitz to move North to Gross Stein (Large Stone) this being the Counts family castle, at that time it was in the German sector and now it is in Poland. Count von Strachwitz was one of the most decorated soldiers, I believe he was involved in trying to kill Hitler.
Interestingly enough I do have memories of this place, even though I was just a few years old. One of my memories where of Nuns and a huge statue of a man on a horse. Another memory was at Xmas time a soldier brought us little toys, I believe this man was Count Hannes Stelzer, a good friend of my parents.
The photo above shows my dad, sister and myself sitting on the front steps of Gross Stein. I recognized the front steps shown in pictures on the website... Wow I could not believe it, when I finaly found a website of the actual story about the Castle and the owners... now I don't have to feel like I was telling a tall story...no one believed me, and all this information was even confirmed by my Aunts in Germany.

New Table of Contents

the steps of Gross Stein, dad, me & my twin sister
the steps we sat on as seen in the B/W photo
(photo credit ePromocja)
Castle as it looks now (photo credit ePromocja)
Gross Stein the Castle as it looks now
Gross Stein then
These images after the Castle was rebuilt
Spring Time picture
Winter time picture
Baron Alexander von Meyer
Red Baron
my father & the Red Baron (colorized by a friend)*
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Link List to Gross Stein Castle information
If you liked this lens let me know, and if not...let me know!
Some interesting things written about the Place and People mentioned
collectors can find interesting items here

the steps of Gross Stein, dad, me & my twin sister

the steps we sat on as seen in the B/W photo

(photo credit ePromocja)

Castle as it looks now (photo credit ePromocja)

Gross Stein the Castle as it looks now

A Castle to visit and stay in Poland

My mother used to talk about the times at Gross Stein, however when mom died, it occured to me that I never bothered to ask any questions. I did not know where the Castle was and who the people where, even though I heard the stories many times, you where just too used to it...

Then I got a computer in 1999 I decided to look up the name Gross Stein, I came across a website where the members talked about Castles, I put in a query, and within a day I got three responses about this Castle. Coincidently the renovated building just opened up, and now is a tourist place to stay and have conventions.
In the last 7 years I have been able to talk with my last aunt who is 96 now, she told me many things about my family...funny how you think things aren't important when you are young, but family history is what makes you...genetics is ingrained whether you realize it or not. Eventhough it does not change things in my life, it does complete it knowing my families past, especially the German side...I'm still working on the American/English side of my grandmother Georgianna Ives from Connecticut.

Gross Stein is quite a beautiful place, the renovations of the building and inside are marvelous, everything looks so grand.

I hope someday to be able to visit this place again.

Make sure to visit the website and check out the pictures.

Gross Stein then

These images after the Castle was rebuilt

Spring Time picture

Winter time picture

Baron Alexander von Meyer

a little bit about my father

My father spoke 11 languages, mostly learned from his nannies. He was very artistic and most likely I got my talent from him. Dad had two Photography Studios, one in Berlin and the other in Dresden, he did not have to work for a living, he had a trust, so taking photos was his hobby, he only took photos of famous people. I wish I had all those images now, most where destroyed during the war. I do have some interesting ones left, including the one of him and the Red Baron.
My father's father came from Dresden and his mother was from Hartford Connecticut, she being an Ives from the famed Clock Makers.
My mother met my dad when he took a promotional photo of her while she was making a German Movie "die drei Codonas" ( famed Aerialists)mom did the stunts for the Trapeze scenes.

My NEW LENS Turkish (Ottoman Empire) Gallipoli Star Medal of WW1 http://www.squidoo.com/GallipoliStar/
is about my fathers Medal that I discovered years later and wore it as a brooch not knowing it was an award during WWI...it's interesting, so check it out and leave your comments.

Red Baron

another friend of my dad's

Here is a photo of my dad sitting in the back of the bi-plane and the Baron Manfred von Richthofen the "RED BARON" in the front seat...

I am so very fortunate to have this photograph, a one of a kind.

my father & the Red Baron (colorized by a friend)*

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE:

This notice is for those that have inquired about the Photo(Red Baron)displayed above here on this lens. It is NOT for SALE at this time. This image can not be used, saved, copied or transfered to any other individual...a copyright restriction applies and it is illegal to use this image for the purpose of reproducing, for personal use or profit and or any other purposes.

Link List to Gross Stein Castle information

Turkish (Ottoman Empire) "Gallipoli Star" Medal of WW1: This lens is about an item I inherited from my father many years ago...the Gallipoli Star (Ottoman Empire)a medal from Turkey during WW1
..::e-promocja::..: I came across this link including the Castle Gross Stein (click on their photos) It is written in English but not well, but never the less you can understand most of it.

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Lensmaster

ftuley wrote...

A highly informative and great page on the topic. Thanks for sharing and five stars.

Posted June 17, 2009

Lensmaster

FantasyDesigns wrote...

This is awesome! Thank you for sharing! 5 *'s.

Posted April 02, 2009

Lensmaster

Janet wrote

Extraordinary topic... your dad really knew the Red Baron! Impressive bit of history.. 5*

Posted March 21, 2009

Lensmaster

RustyM62 wrote...

Great lens ,wonderful stories, I love castles and hope to visit one day. 5 stars!

Posted March 19, 2009

Lensmaster

PosterChildSmile wrote...

I would love to visit a castle, so I really liked looking around and reading. You are an interesting person and must have a lot more good stuff to share.

Posted January 25, 2009