Heidelberg, Germany Old Bridge Fest

July 16, 2016-

Jeremy and I decided to meet up in the exciting city of Heidelberg since I was in Landstuhl for training for the next 2 weeks and off the weekends. This is a good meeting point between us. Plus they were having a fest for the weekend. Live music, beer, right next to the Old bridge. Perfect setting with sunshine and no rain which makes our day even better!

Jeremy rode his motorcycle and we met at the campground. I am sure he is loving riding for the 2 weeks we are apart, despite the rain. It was a beautiful setting right on the Nekar river. We set up the tent and then headed to Heidelberg, the campsite was 2 km from city center or there was a bus stop right by the campsite which was perfect for our way home that night.

First stop lunch and margaritas at Adelitas. We had a nice lunch with great people watching right on the main street in the city center. We wandered around the city before sitting down to listen to music and drink wine by the Old Bridge. Heidelberg City Hall, Rathaus, is located right in the Market square with the flowers and the sunshine it was beautiful today. To the right you can see the world famous Castle ruins. The Rathaus the focal point for local politics and the headquarters for city administration.  

Next stop, the Old Bridge, Carl Theodor Bridge, named after the man who had it built. The first bridge was dates back to 1284 was actually a wooden bridge, but the bridge you see today and been reconstructed since then. The wooden bridge was destroyed by the high water and ice which prompted new plans to be put in motion. In 1784 Prince Theodor built the first stone bridge with raised bents that allow the water to run off. 

Dachau, Germany

July 8, 2016-

On the last morning of Mike and Sam's trip to Germany before heading to the airport. We had a solemn visit to the concentration camp just outside of Munich called Dachau. Here as you walk into the former grounds of the camp, is the sign- "Arbeit Macht Frei" Freedom through Work. you instinctively feel tingles down your back and a terrible gut feeling as you walk through the gate. I can not imagine what daily life would be like here? I can not imagine that people treated other people like that? But what actions are we doing now days to not revert back to our own mistakes.

In April 1945, in the closing days of World War II, the US Army arrived in the small town of Dachau to liberate desperate inmates from the notorious concentration camp that lay on the outskirts of town. The images captured on camera and film by the US Soldiers that day shocked the world. Emaciated, diseased, brutalized survivors emerged from behind the infamous gate after 12 years of terror. Dachau, nicknamed the "Academy of terror", was the original, role-modeled training ground for the vast network of Nazi concentration camps that spread over half of Europe in the wake of the Armies in the Third Reich.

Munich, Germany

July 7, 2016-

Our trip is coming to end, we have one more night left in Munich before Mike and Sam fly out tomorrow afternoon from Munich. We drop our bags off and park at the hotel. Grab a tourist map and head off. We have a lot of ground to cover and little time. First stop is the city gate- Karls gate (Karlstor) part of the former walled city of Munich.

Viktualienmarkt (a farmers' market) is the largest outdoor farmers market and beer garden with lots of people enjoying the sunshine and getting ready for the next soccer game Eurocup. Urban city dwellers and tourists meet at midday at the market to eat something small, buy special unique ingredients from all over the world, shop for Munich souvenirs, and relax for a bit in the shade of the chestnut trees. Only a few steps from the Marienplatz this is Munich's most famous open air market. Lined with stalls of fresh produce, delicious cheeses, seafood, herbs, honey, and sushi made fresh daily, there should be a little taste that will delight a group of people.

Next along the winding streets of Munich is the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) dating back to the 13th Century, rebuilt in a Gothic style in 1470-1480. Amazing architecture. 

Next stop right in the Marienplatz is the new town hall (Neus Rathaus) which was built between 1867 to 1874 in a Neo- Gothic style. This amazing building is one of vocal points of the square with many shops and restaurants on the first floor, you can have a cup of coffee outside with stunning views of this elaborately detailed building. The flowers in the windows are typical of Germany but really look beautiful. Beyond the first floor the rest of the Rathaus is home to the Mayor's office, the city council, and the headquarters of the city administration. The Glockenspiel tower is world famous and worth seeing. From the top of this 85 meter, 255 foot tower on the city hall you can see panoramic views of the city and even the Alps on a clear day. Since 1908, figurines representing stories from Munich's history twirl on two levels daily at 1100, 1200, and 1700. In additional to the well known coopers dancers, the Munchner Kindl (symbol of the city's coat of arms), the angel of peace also make an appearance in this 12 minute show.

Indoor market with a fancy seating area outside with clothespin wooden seat. Inside this market has everything from organic food to every day supplies to outdoor gear and bikes. So many options and samples galore.

One of Munich's landmarks and the oldest parish church in the city, dating back to the 11th Century, is our next stop- The Kirche St. Peter (Church of Saint Peter). This beautiful and peaceful Church stands tall on the only hill and/ or elevation in the city center, called Petersberjl. We did not have time to go up the tower but next time I would like to, apparently stunning views from the top. 315 steps to the top, small fee. The large ceiling frescoes extend along the entire nave. Exquisitely detailed. 

Cathedral Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) with its distinctive onion shaped domes. This Gothic city parish church is a must see in Old town not far from the centrally located Marienplatz. Construction on the cathedral began in 1468 and continues to today. One of the towers currently was under construction with scaffolding surrounding it. This Cathedral was very heavily damaged during World War II, with construction post War completed in phases. The south tower of the Cathedral can be climbed and offers a unique wide view across the rooftops of Munich and on to the Alps. The tomb of the princess and the grave of the Holy Roman Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian (1282-1347) are both located within the church.

Continuing along our walking journey of the city, we pass by the Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg). This baroque style palace was the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs. Five generations of Wittelsbach rulers were involved in the construction of this elaborate structure. The surrounding gardens are very well maintained and free to visit. The interior houses several outstanding collections, although we did not have time to go in. Next time, one of the highlights from my research is banquet hal with the fine ceiling frescoes by Johann Baptist Zimmermann and the former bedroom of King Ludwig II.

Munich's famous Englische Garten (English Garden) is one of the largest urban parks in the world. The layout has undergone constant change throughout the centuries ad new buildings and green spaces were added time and again. It all started back in 1789, today this stunning park is 900 acres
with shaded paths, brooks, ponds, sunbathers, cyclists, and four well known beer gardens are all spread throughout this massive park. The second largest beer garden in Munich with 7,000 seats is right next to the Chinese Tower within the park grounds.

The Munich Hofbrauhaus on the Platzl is one of the most well-known city and the most famous brewery in the world. At the end of the 16th Century, Duke Wilhelm V. had the Hofbrauhaus built to supply the court of the Wittelsbachs so that it would no longer be necessary to import beer from Lower Saxony and instead beer could be brewed locally. Today this famous taproom attracts both locals and tourists for excellent German food, one liter local beer, and a live band daily.  The cross vault on the ground floor, where the beer used to be brewed is the centerpiece of the Hofbrauhaus. On the second floor is the public house with more middle class atmosphere and now a beer museum. The beer garden is where we sat to enjoy food, beer, and the soccer game under the massive chestnut trees.

Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castle

July 7, 2016-

We arrived to Neuschwanstein castle when the ticket office opened in order to make sure that we could purchase tickets and not wait in line as long before they sold out for the day. If you are planning your trip you can purchase tickets in advance online, but I was not sure if the group wanted to see inside one or both castles or the day we would visit. It was well worth the tour inside. We did the audio tour guide, very informative but we did only tour a few rooms but apparently the rest of the castle is no longer furnished.

Ludwig II became King in 1864. He wanted to define his leadership by creating his castles. King Ludwig II built this castle as his home high above his family home and father, Maximilian's Castle, in 1869, but it was never completed.  It was furnished with medieval style yet equipped with the latest technology. The main rooms each decorated primarily with murals of scenes from the Germanic and Nordic scenes.

Hohenschwangau Castle dates back to the 12th Century and from then until the 16th Century its owners were the knights of Schwangau. After that it was owned by a couple different people and was partially destroyed during the war. King Ludwig II's father, Maximillian II, acquired this castle in 1832, he rebuilt the castle in the Gothic style. After completion it was used as the summer home and hunting residence of the Royal family, this is where King Ludwig II grew up. The largest room in this castle is the banquet hall, which is also called the "hall of heroes". The paintings show different scenes of battle. The room of Queen Mary, Ludwig II's mother, is furnished by furniture and materials from Turkey and Greece.

We loved the castles and feeling like royalty for a day was fabulous! Next stop Munich.