Germany Road Trip 2023 – The Sort-of Bowling Alley Tour

Highlights From This Trip

• 2 Days
• 9 Locations Explored
• ~500 miles driven
• ~100 photographs
• Bucket list item ticked off (yay!)
• Maybe the last trip of the year?

I am always on the lookout for fascinating, lost places to explore. Sometimes, I will discover the location of something that warrants a special trip. I have a kind of bucket list of things I want to see, certain types of abandoned places or an perhaps unusual item. Earlier in the year, this was an iron lung in an abandoned hospital in Ireland. It always makes a trip extra special for me when I tick off one of these bucket list items. There is something beautiful in Germany, that caught my eye a year or two ago. Now it was was calling to me!

Rewind back to my trip to Poland, at the beginning of the year. I was so intrigued by this location that I even considered driving over six hours across the border to visit it. I probably would have done as well, if my plans were not thwarted by the car rental company’s policy prohibiting cross-border travel. Curses. But, in hindsight it was for the best.

Encouraged by conversations with my equally enthusiastic friends, and the discovery of a surprisingly affordable flight, a plan quickly formed.

What even is kegeln?

For so, so long I have wanted to photograph a beautiful decaying bowling alley! And now I have. Right?

Well, kind of. The 9-pins and narrow lanes make this kegeln, a European variation which is similar to skittles. Close enough for me!

I love the retro font of the “Sport Frei” sign on the wall. The entire scene inside the building is beautiful, natural decay it its finest. The collapsing roof and rotting, splintered floor. There is even sapling tree valiantly sprouting up, reaching up to a large hole in the ceiling.

8 locations, in a hectic 2 days

After the bowling alley, there were more treasures to explore. Some culture houses, as well as a large abandoned mansion and aa huge castle. Throw in a mausoleum and an old church, for variety. Another highlight for me, was a large house with a beautiful wintergarden. Sadly no wild plants reclaiming the space, but some beautiful stained glasswork.

Another outing for the Olympus-Six

My Olympus-Six joined me once again, nestled in my bag alongside my trusty Zenit-E. Loading with some lovely Kodak Gold, I was excited to snap some more lost places on medium format film.

I must admit, I am very impressed with how well my bellows repair job has lasted. So far, everything is still light tight. Hurrah!

Appearing in my Beautiful Abandoned Places Calendars 2024!

As this was one of my favourite spots of the year, I already knew that one of the photos would make it into my Beautiful Abandoned Places Calendars 2024.

The kegelbahn is the featured photograph for September! This year my calendar only features photos captured this year, to celebrate an amazing 12 months of adventures.

You can find out more about my calendar, and order your own copy in my online shop.

Take a closer look!

More behind-the-scenes photos from my Germany 2023 Road Trip

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this road trip blog! Here are the rest of the behind-the-scenes snaps and preview photos from this trip, see you next time <3.