TravelswithCharie

Asamkirche or St. John Nepomuk Church, 1733-1746 The Church is divided into three levels. The first level which is dimly lit is where ordinary worshippers sit for the service. The second level with the balcony is for the Emperor. The top level which benefits from light emanating from the windows, is dedicated to God. So there is an established hierarchy in the church - ordinary people, the Emperor and God. Above the lower altar are the figures of the Holy Spirit, God the Father, and Jesus on the cross. The ceiling fresco depicts the life of St. John Nepomuk, a martyr of the Catholic church. It was painted by Cosmas Damian Asam who was schooled in Rome. Notice the beautiful gallery reserved for the Emperor. Check out one of the confessionals with cherubs. View of the left side of the church from the main portal. The golden sun symbolizes eternal love. This is found in the vestibule of the church. One of the core themes of Asamkirche is the sanctity of the seal of confession which is why...

I have visited Cologne Cathedral at least three times and yet, I haven’t seen all it has to offer. As I write this post, I have come to realize that there is so much more to learn about this Gothic shrine that took more than six centuries to complete. But it isn’t really complete in every sense of the word. Scores of workers are hard at work every day maintaining, restoring and conserving this medieval structure. There’s always a section of the Cathedral with a scaffolding. (Note ongoing work next to Gerhard Richter’s window discussed in this post.) According to a local saying, “when the Cathedral is finished, it will be the end of the world”. Door knocker Main Portal Trivia: the Cathedral has 456 doors. View from the main portal of the central nave leading to the high altar. Notice the vaulted ceiling and the arched columns.  Main Altar and the choir stalls A closer look at the massive granite columns that line the nave. Floor mosaic of St. Kunibert holding a model of the old cath...

One of the most intriguing suggestions I received on my recent visit to Würzburg was to see the Alte Mainbrücke (Old Main Bridge) and stroll across this pedestrian stone bridge with a glass of wine. I learned soon enough that this was sound advice. The bridge is a gathering place for friends and drinking wine from grapes grown in the surrounding hills is a fitting introduction to the capital of the Franconian wine region. The Alte Mainbrücke was rebuilt between 1473-1543. It has commanding views of Marienberg Fortress and the vineyards that surround the city. On the bridge are twelve statues of saints and emperors which were added in the 18th century. The Alte Mainbrücke connects the old town with the fishing quarter across the Main River. The tower of the Rathskeller and the steeples of Würzburger Dom figure prominently in the Alstadt (Old Town). Sunset reflections on the Main River with Marienberg Fortress on the hill above the vineyards. It’s fascinating to watch ho...

Rothenburg ob der Tauber A travel tale gone wrong After a thoroughly good morning of sightseeing around the fairy tale town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, I walked back to the train station to catch the 3:06 p.m. train to Würzburg which was my home base in Franconia. I was early so I took the opportunity to sit down and rest my aching feet inside the train station where it was warm and cozy. The train arrived on time and we took off for the hour ride home.  Or so I thought. Soon after we left the station, I heard an announcement in German which I didn’t understand completely but from which I inferred that something wasn’t quite right. After Steinach  where we had to change trains, there was another announcement and in Uffenheim, we were all asked to get off the train. I gathered through an English speaking passenger that we were going to be picked up by a bus as our train could not continue due to an obstruction at one of the stations up ahead.  We waited for the...

Rothenburg ob der Tauber has been on my travel bucket list for years. And I finally got there  last November. It is an enchanting place.  With its half-timbered houses, clock towers, colorful façades, schneeballs and beer steins, Rothenburg ODT oozes with medieval charm.  It's no surprise that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I was partially filmed in Rothenburg ODT. This is a common dilemma in Rothenburg ODT. Which direction to take? It's hard to choose because every cobblestone street seems to be competing for the best dressed street award. And they are all winners in my book.  After walking half a day, an inviting table for two with colorful flowers to warm a cold November day. I love how these two half-timbered buildings anchor a street that leads to another intriguing square. The Plönlein (Little Square) is the most photographed square in Rothenburg ODT. But I found more picturesque neighborhoods than this. That's ...