Posted by Paddy MacLachlan
You might have heard of hotels that are made entirely of ice. The idea has been around for a few years now, in countries like Finland, Norway and Sweden.
More recently there has been a trend for ice vodka bars, which are places that are kept at a permanent 5 degrees below freezing. They have sprung up in trendy neighborhoods all over the world; there’s even one by the beach in Pattaya, Thailand. To sample their delights, you’re issued with a warm parka, then you go inside and drink vodka. That’s it. We’re not quite sure what the point is, or how it could be seen as “fun,” but we’re probably not the right age group.
However, we can certainly see the point of this ice church which has just opened in Mitterfirminasreut, Germany, as it looks absolutely stunning.
Apparently the town has had a tradition of building these structures for over 100 years. The authorities wouldn’t let local Catholics build a permanent church so every year, when it got cold enough, they built a temporary one out of ice as a protest.
But there has never been one anything like as magnificent as this one, which cost $200,000 to create. Its opening was delayed for several weeks because of unseasonably mild weather. When the mild weather returns it too will melt. So if you want to see it and worship at it, you’d better get your skates on.
What do you think of this church? Please let us know.
