Just outside my hometown of Regensburg, high above the Danube, stands the Walhalla. From the river it looks like a Greek temple placed on a hill, but it is in fact one of Bavaria’s most famous monuments. King Ludwig I built it in the 19th century as a hall of fame for German-speaking figures who shaped history, culture, science, and art.
Inside, rows of marble busts line the walls. Walking between them feels both impressive and heavy. The atmosphere is quiet, almost like a church, but instead of saints you stand face to face with writers, kings, inventors, and politicians. I took most of my photos here in black and white. The strong contrasts underline the cold marble and give the statues a dramatic presence, almost as if they were watching me back.
Outside, the building is even more striking. The temple is set in bright stone with massive columns, and from the terrace you get one of the best views over the Danube valley. Here I used my infrared camera. The surrounding trees and fields turned into glowing red tones, creating a surreal contrast to the white monument. It was fascinating to see a site so rooted in national history through a perspective that changes reality. The glowing red foilage around the temple may also serve as a reminder for the great violence surrounding Germanys past.
The Walhalla is not just about architecture or the people remembered inside. It also raises questions about who we choose to honor and what heritage means today. Some of the busts were added much later, and the collection is still debated. For me, visiting was both a look into the past and a chance to think about the present.
