In the early hours of the morning, we gathered in front of our school, where we were met by a minibus that took us to Franjo Tuđman Airport.
Eight students (Borna Herceg, Tamara Fotez, Zara Huzjak, Mia Ela Klarić, Antonelo Kukec, Laura Plantak, Petra Silov and Neo Stolnik) accompanied by two teachers (Janja Žnidarić and Anita Prester) flew to Frankfurt by plane at 9:00 am. German and Italian students and teachers involved in the European Wonders of Geography project welcomed us at the Frankfurt airport. While waiting for the Spanish students, we spent a few hours exploring the huge Frankfurt airport and meeting new friends. |
After an hour and a half bus ride to the north, we arrived in the small town of Battenberg, in the province of Hessen in central Germany.
The students were welcomed there by their German partners, with whom they will be accommodated.
The students were welcomed there by their German partners, with whom they will be accommodated.
Day 2., Saturday, 8 October 2022.
After the first night in German homes, we headed for Frankfurt. We were all delighted by the Senckenberg Naturmuseum, which with
10,000 exhibits on 60,000 square meters show the Earth's biodiversity and the evolution of Earth and life. In the museum, the students were divided into several groups of different nationalities and already then, cooperating, they were supposed to solve certain tasks.
We spent the afternoon touring the center of Frankfurt, and one of the most beautiful moments we experienced was the view from the observation deck on the 56th floor of the 200-meter high skyscraper Main Tower.
10,000 exhibits on 60,000 square meters show the Earth's biodiversity and the evolution of Earth and life. In the museum, the students were divided into several groups of different nationalities and already then, cooperating, they were supposed to solve certain tasks.
We spent the afternoon touring the center of Frankfurt, and one of the most beautiful moments we experienced was the view from the observation deck on the 56th floor of the 200-meter high skyscraper Main Tower.
Dan 3., Sunday, 9 October 2022.
The students spent that day with their families, who made an effort to make it as exciting as possible. They took them to the zoo, amusement parks, arcades, bowling, ice skating, family birthday parties and restaurants.
The teachers spent that day sightseeing around Battenberg. We visited the town of Frankenberg and Marburg. Marburg is a medieval university town with approximately 76,000 inhabitants, but also the location of Germany's largest pharmaceutical industry.
First, we climbed the Kaiser Wilhelm Tower, to the top of which 167 steps lead, and from where there is a wonderful view of Marburg and the surrounding area.
The city itself delighted us with its old authentic wooden houses.
On that day, the city was holding a fair, so the city was full of people who could enjoy the rubber duck race on the river Lahn, the amusement park, the stalls or enjoy seeing the beautiful city center dominated by the Marburg Schloss, built in the 11th century. Then a fun moment followed, and that was a yoga class given to us by the teacher of their school.
The teachers spent that day sightseeing around Battenberg. We visited the town of Frankenberg and Marburg. Marburg is a medieval university town with approximately 76,000 inhabitants, but also the location of Germany's largest pharmaceutical industry.
First, we climbed the Kaiser Wilhelm Tower, to the top of which 167 steps lead, and from where there is a wonderful view of Marburg and the surrounding area.
The city itself delighted us with its old authentic wooden houses.
On that day, the city was holding a fair, so the city was full of people who could enjoy the rubber duck race on the river Lahn, the amusement park, the stalls or enjoy seeing the beautiful city center dominated by the Marburg Schloss, built in the 11th century. Then a fun moment followed, and that was a yoga class given to us by the teacher of their school.
Day 4., Monday, 10 October 2022.
Early in the morning at 7:30 am we were already at Grundschule Battenberg. After the introductory activities of familiarization, sightseeing of the school, the students were given the first task related to the project itself.
As the goal of that project is to explore the Kellerwald forest, the students spent that morning studying didactic materials related to the entire area of the province of Hessen and the forest itself, and in mixed groups they were supposed to make presentations about the forest itself. In the afternoon, they visited the nearby Eder River, where they conducted water experiments, measured the temperature of the river and studied the biodiversity of that habitat. The students spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with their families. |
Day 5., Thursday, 11 October 2022.
On Tuesday morning, we headed to the goal of our research, which is the National Park Kellerwald - Edersee, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List "True beech forests and primeval beech forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe".
It is located in the province of Hessen, an hour's drive from Battenberg. The park extends to 57.38 km² and is characterized by extensive beech forests and the Edersee lake meanders through it.
First, we went on a 30 m high walk through the treetops, at the end of which there is a viewpoint with a view of Lake Edersee. In the Kellerwald National Park Center itself, in the 4D senses cinema, we watched a short film about the forest itself and its flora and fauna, and went on a professional walk with the rangers on one of the 19 circular hiking trails through the forest.
It is located in the province of Hessen, an hour's drive from Battenberg. The park extends to 57.38 km² and is characterized by extensive beech forests and the Edersee lake meanders through it.
First, we went on a 30 m high walk through the treetops, at the end of which there is a viewpoint with a view of Lake Edersee. In the Kellerwald National Park Center itself, in the 4D senses cinema, we watched a short film about the forest itself and its flora and fauna, and went on a professional walk with the rangers on one of the 19 circular hiking trails through the forest.
Day 6., Wednesday, 12 October 2022.
Wednesday was reserved for fairy tales. We took the train to Marburg, where the Grimm brothers lived between 1802 and 1806. The students were given the task of finding figures from fairy tales in the city, and for each figure they read a summary of that fairy tale and acted out one or more scenes from it. In a funny way, they remembered the fairy tales The Fisherman and his Wife, The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids, The Frog King, The Starry Talirs, The Brave Tailor, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel.
In the afternoon, the host families prepared a barbecue for all project participants. The students had the opportunity to try the local specialties prepared by the hosts. The gathering took place with fun, games, conversation and a campfire.
In the afternoon, the host families prepared a barbecue for all project participants. The students had the opportunity to try the local specialties prepared by the hosts. The gathering took place with fun, games, conversation and a campfire.
Day 7., Thursday, 13 October 2022.
On the day before the last one, we were at school again. The students spent the morning in art workshops and evaluation of project activities and met with the mayor of Battenberg.
Due to the renovation of the town hall, the reception was held at the school, and the mayor introduced all the participants to the past of that town and the connection between the town itself and the British royal crown.
We thanked the mayor for welcoming us with Croatian sweets and a 'licitar' heart (gingerbread and honey dough heart). The students spent the afternoon spending their last time with their German families.
Due to the renovation of the town hall, the reception was held at the school, and the mayor introduced all the participants to the past of that town and the connection between the town itself and the British royal crown.
We thanked the mayor for welcoming us with Croatian sweets and a 'licitar' heart (gingerbread and honey dough heart). The students spent the afternoon spending their last time with their German families.
Dan 8., petak, 14.10
In the early hours of the morning, we all gathered again in front of the school to say goodbye to our new friends. The farewell was touching and with tears and hugs, the students promised each other that they would see each other again next year in Croatia. We took the bus to Frankfurt and the airport, where we flew to Zagreb at 10:30 an hour late. The students returned home happy, satisfied and full of new experiences and knowledge.