Ruïne Rothenburg, nabij Kelbra 1868 - 1890

Hermann Selle made this stereo card of the Ruine Rothenburg, near Kelbra, using photography. Stereo cards like this one were a popular form of entertainment, offering a 3D viewing experience before the advent of modern cinema. Selle's choice to capture this ruin speaks volumes about the cultural sentiments of the time. Ruins often evoke a sense of romanticism and nostalgia, inviting viewers to reflect on the passage of time and the impermanence of human achievement. The presence of figures in the landscape adds a human element, suggesting a connection between the present and the past. Are they tourists, drawn to this site, or locals who have grown up with it? The carefully composed scene invites us to consider how we construct and consume historical narratives. Ruins aren't just remnants of the past, they're active sites of memory and meaning-making, shaping how we understand our place in the world.