the original Halpern fountain ~ the Siebenröhrenbrunnen in Heilbronn Germany

furthest point Josh travelled down the Danube river, in Budapest

drinking the same sacred spring water that Josh's grandfather drank in Ukraine

Altmittweida Bach canal, flowing through Josh’s father’s hometown in Mittweida Germany

confluence of the Stryi and Yablunka rivers in Turka Ukraine, where Josh’s grandfather was born in 1895

In January 2025, Josh Halpern journeyed 1000 km down the Danube River, visiting 9 countries through central and eastern Europe, on a watershed heritage pilgrimage.

At the furthest reach of ancestral explorations, Josh drank water at the same source where his grandfather grew up ~ in the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine. 

Josh was able to gather waters from both his father’s and his grandfather's hometowns. 

He even found the fountain, the Heilbronn "healing spring" where the name Halpern comes from.

First attempts at sharing Heritageshed here, and with more integration, more sharing will happen on this page too.

Uppermost headwaters of the Dniester river, which flows to the frontlines in Odessa

Burg Kriebstein on the Zschopau river, 10 km from where Josh’s father was born in 1924

Széchenyi Thermal Baths in Budapest

Aquadome Spa in Austria, final day of Josh’s winter tour

bone house in Hallstatt Austria