Science, Photography, and Trip Reviews
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Germany Cruise of
Scenic & Historic Sights
Austria Border to Nuremberg
Walhalla Temple, Regensburg, Weltenburg, & Nuremberg
Roman Ruins, Danube Gorge, & Schoner Fountain
Cathedrals, Churches, Abbeys, Castles, & Palaces
Globus, Avalon Waterways, & Tapestry
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Remains of the Roman East Tower of Porta Praetoria in Regensburg. |
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River cruise Budapest to Prague
The river cruise on the Avalon Waterways Tapestry began in Budapest, where we spent two nights. For a stretch of 58 miles (93 kilometers) west the Danube River was the dividing line between Hungary to the south and Slovakia to the north. Next we cruised through Austria, then into Germany, which is described here. The seven-night cruise ended in Nuremberg. We were then taken by motor coach to Prague where we spent two nights. For a description of the ship and onboard activities see the Avalon Waterways Ships. Contact Us for more information.
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Walhalla Temple high on a hill as seen from the river cruise ship. |
Walhalla Temple
The cruise started in Budapest, Hungary. We arrived in Germany after cruising through Austria. We were headed to Regensburg, but shortly before getting there we passed by the Walhalla Temple, pictured above. It rests on a hill overlooking the Danube River in Bavaria. The temple was built for King Ludwig I between 1830 and 1842, and is based on the Parthenon in Athens. The name comes from Norse mythology. The temple was made to honor distinguished people in German history. It contains many busts and plaques of the people chosen to be honored.
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The Stone Bridge in Regensburg. |
Regensburg
The Celts settled in what is now Regensburg by about 500 BC. But in 90 AD it was a Roman military post. The Roman influence is still obvious, as we found out on a walking tour with our guide. We saw the remnant of the Roman East Tower of Porta Praetoria, which is found in the Old Town section of the city. It is pictured at the top of this page, and it was part of an old Roman fort that dates from 179 AD. Regensburg was the capital city of Bavaria from about 530 to about 1250. Between 1135 and 1146 the Stone Bridge, shown above, was constructed across the Danube River. Since there were no other bridges across the Danube nearby, the bridge made Regensburg part of international trade routes. The resulting trading made the city the cultural center of southern Germany.
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St. Peter's Cathedral in Regensburg. |
In Old Town we also visited St. Peter's Cathedral, pictured above. Before it was built another church was on the same site in about the year 700. Construction on the cathedral began in 1272, but it was not completed until 1872. It has two prominent towers. A number of important Bishops are buried in the cathedral. Fortunately, Regensburg did not suffer damage to most of its major buildings during the Second World War. The Allied Forces did not consider the city a military target.
Danube Gorge
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Cliffs seen from boat in the Danube Gorge. |
Our destination was the Abbey at Weltenburg. The best way to get there is by boat in the Danube Gorge. Along the way we encountered white limestone cliffs rising at times several hundred feet (90 meters) out of the water on both sides of the river. It is an attractive sight. See the picture above taken from the boat. Also shownbelow is our group getting off of the boat when it docked in Weltenburg at the abbey.
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Boat docked in the Danube Gorge at the Weltenburg Abbey. |
Abbey Church of Sts. George and Martin
The Abbey Church of Sts. George and Martin in Weltenburg is shown below on the water. It is a Benedictine Abbey founded in about 600. Construction on the church began in 1716, but the building was not completed until 1751. There are numerous very attractive paintings throughout the church. One of interest is of Christopher Columbus landing in America. He is accompanied by twelve monks led by St. Benedict and the Virgin Mary, representing Christianity.
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Abbey Church of Sts. George and Martin in Weltenburg. |
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Nave in the Abbey Church of Sts. George and Martin. |
In front of the nave is an unusual display. St. George is on a horse slaying a dragon saving the King's daughter. See the picture above. Standing on the right is the statue of St. Martin. Across from him pointing outward is the statue of St. Maurus. In the background is a painting shown with bright lights. It is an incredible and fascinating scene. Wherever you look in the nave you see amazing and beautiful works of art. The two pictures below are of scenes found on the upper parts of walls. This is one of the most impressive and interesting naves that I have seen in the many churches that I have visited.
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Scene on the upper wall and ceiling in the Nave in the Abbey Church of Sts. George and Martin. |
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Scene on the upper wall and ceiling in the Nave in the Abbey Church of Sts. George and Martin. |
Nuremberg
It is not known exactly when Nuremberg was founded. But a document in 1050 notes that the Imperial castle was located there. From that time the city grew because it was on important trade routes. A number of historical events took place in the city. The Holy Roman Empire chose it for meetings in the Nuremberg castle for the Imperial Diet and courts. The Nazis chose it for conventions and rallies starting in 1927. When Hitler came to power huge rallies were held there. After the defeat of Germany the Allies chose the city as the site of the Nuremberg Trials, where German officials involved in the Holocaust were brought before an International Tribunal for war crimes. During the Second World War factories in Nuremberg produced airplanes, submarines, and tank engines. As a result, the allies heavily bombed the city. Ninety percent of the Old Town (Medieval section) was destroyed. It has since been rebuilt. A number of important sights to see in Nuremberg are in the Old Town section. Since Medieval times the Old Town has been surrounded by walls. On a walking tour with a local guide we were taken to St. Sebaldus Church, pictured above. This is one of the most important churches in Nuremberg. It dates from 1225, but the two towers were not added until the 1400s.
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St. Sebaldus Church in Nuremberg. The two towers of this church are seen in the picture of the Schoner Fountain below. |
Behind the St. Sebaldus Church is the Old Town Hall, which was built in 1332. Like so many buildings it was damaged in the Second World War, and had to be rebuilt. It has within it medieval dungeons and a torture chamber. Near the north wall is the Imperial Castle, another important sight in Old Town. Between 1050 and 1571 all emperors of the Holy Roman Empire spent time there, making it one of the most important imperial palaces during the Middle Ages. Within the complex is the emperor's rooms, the Roman double chapel, the deep well, the imperial stables, the Sinwell Tower, and the throne room. There is also a display of weapons and utensils.
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Church of Our Lady in Nuremberg. |
We also went to the Church of Our Lady, shown above. It was built between 1352 and 1362. The church was built on the site of a Jewish synagogue, which was destroyed during a massacre of Jews in 1349. It is located in the main market. Also in the main market is the Schoner Fountain (Beautiful Fountain), which was built from 1389 to1396. It rises about 63 feet (19 meters) high and has forty beautifully carved figures of people and subjects that were important to the Holy Roman Empire. See the pictures below. This is one of the most important sights to see in Old Town.
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Schoner (Beautiful) Fountain in Nuremberg. The St. Sebaldus Church Towers are also seen. |
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Close up of the carved figures in the Schoner (Beautiful) Fountain. |
River cruise-tour pages
The river cruise on the Avalon Waterways Tapestry began in Budapest, where we spent two nights. For a stretch of 58 miles (93 kilometers) west the Danube River was the dividing line between Hungary to the south and Slovakia to the north. Next we cruised through Austria, then into Germany, which is described here. The seven-night cruise ended in Nuremberg. We were then taken by motor coach to Prague where we spent two nights. For a description of the ship and onboard activities see the Avalon Waterways Ships.
Photos by Sunny Breeding. We sell images and prints.
