20 July 2011

Bamberg

Our two chaperones, Herr Birkelbach and Frau Santora.

Upon arrival, Bamberg seems just like the other cities we've seen.

The rain looks beautiful on the cobblestone roads.

Bamberg lies on the Regnitz, which quickly becomes a part of the Main. It's a pretty river.

A stone model of the city.

The story goes that the citizens of Bemberg wanted a town hall, so they asked the Bishop where they might build one. Annoyed, the Bishop responded, "Build it in the river!" They did.

It's a beautiful structure, combining modern brickwork on the left with Gothic styling in the middle and traditional half-timber structure on the right.

Looking down the street as we walk up to the cathedral.

This plaza is home to two major sights: the cathedral (left) and Residenz (right).

The Lords' entrance to the cathedral. Unless the monarchy comes back, nobody but the Bishop will ever be allowed through here.

A view of the cathedral's two towers. Why is everything being renovated on this trip!?

When I first saw this Christ, I thought it was Zeus. I fail religion forever!

Inside the cathedral.

The Bamberg Reiter. This statue, within the cathedral, depicts a noble riding in through the Lords' Entrance.

Maybe I'm just ignorant of art, but I was very unimpressed with this fresco after having seen the Wuerzburg Residenz and the interior of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

A small chapel located near the back of the cathedral.

Henry II and his queen are buried here, right in the middle of the cathedral.

It's a lovely skyline.

The Residenz is similar to the one in Wuerzburg, but not nearly as large.

The passageway through the Residenz to the garden is floored with wood carved into cobblestone-like hexagons. This is to keep the passage quieter when horses pass through.

It's a lovely garden.

Michaelsburg Abbey.

John and Heidi having a laugh.

Hunter posing regally.

Alexis and Hunter check out a photo.

Most of the group.

The Hampton will forgive you all!

More of the skyline.

A last picture of the garden before we move on...

...to Michaelsburg Abbey.

Looking back on the cathedral.

Michaelsburg is a very pretty church.

I find it hard to believe that this is Mercury, but with winged shoes and a winged helm who else could it be?

Hunter admiring the interior.

From higher up, more of the city is visible.

And now for our long trek down!

"Venizen an der Regnitz" or "Kleine Venizen" is the name given to this section of waterline houses. It's quite charming.

German ducks are nicer-looking than our Canadian geese. I wonder if it can Goose-step? *groan*

A memorial to Claus Graf Steffenberg, a man who opposed the Third Reich. He was hanged on 20 July 1944. There are flowers there because today is 20 July.

German Word of the Day / Deutsches Wort des Tages
Weltkulturerbe :: World Heritage Site
Bamberg ist eine UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe.

Bamberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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