Fai Quan
formerly known as "Prosaic Traveller"
Frankfurt am Main, Hessen (3) – Evening Stroll (Day Six)
An evening stroll along the banks of the Main River give us an insight to constant riverbank activities as we go from twilight to darkness. We travel west on the north banks from Moselstrabe, across the Friedesnbrucke (bridge) to the south banks and travel east to Eiserner Steg (pedway) where we cross and head back to the hotel.
From the north bank looking south
Looking east of the Main River from Friedensbrucke (bridge). We’ll be heading up the right-hand side.
From Friedensbrucke (bridge), downtown business district to the left.
From Friedesnbrucke (bridge) looking south at a riverbank hall with what appears to be, a small wedding reception.
On the south bank looking west at the setting sun. The little light spots in the sky were planes coming into the Frankfurt Airport.
Looking back at Friedensbrucke (bridge) with the Westhafenplatz (round tower) in the background
On the south bank, heading east.
Holbensteg (pedway)
Passing under Holbensteg, we see Eiserner Steg (pedway)
People enjoying the gorgeous evening listening to music and dancing.
Takeout served from a boat
Or dine on a boat
Approaching Eiserner Steg
Looking north from Eiserner Steg
Eiserner Steg
Yes, it is full of “Locks”
At the end of Eiserner Steg, we make our way back up the right side of the bank to our hotel.
Office towers located across the street from our hotel
A lit creative structure located in the plaza of the Skyline Plaza
The Skyline Plaza was across the street from our hotel. A supermarket, located just to the left of the entrance doors, has a great deli. Opened until 3:00 am, we were able to get some late night snacks after returning from a long day trip. This evening ended with a stop here.
Frankfurt am Main, Hessen (2) – MyZeil (Day Six)
MyZeil is a major shopping center in the heart of Frankfurt. Architecturally, this shopping mall is not the same as what we are accustomed to. I was more interested in the design of the building than visiting the stores. Designed by Roman architect Massimiliano Fuksas, this mall is part of the Palais Quartier project which included the 1793 palace that was badly damaged in the Second World War.
Front entrance of the mall on Zeil
A variety of escalator lengths can take you directly to different floors of the mall without switching on each floor.
Top floor of the mall
Looking down from the top floor
An aerial photo of Frankfurt is displayed on the floor.
Frankfurt am Main, Hesse (1) – Bockenheim (Day Six)
Bockenheim is a district in Frankfurt am Main that lies north west of city centre beside the University area. There was nothing specifically special about this area except to seek out a toy store on the main commercial strip called Leipziger. Being an hour early before store opening, we decided to go for a cruise through this neighbourhood that had a mix of residential and commercial spaces.
Entering the district of Bockenheim from the east on Bockenheimer Landstrabe
Small eateries on the side street
I can’t get over the cleanliness of this area…even the back alleys were spotless.
Leipziger Street
Looking down a side street to a more residential area
A number of streets converge at this spot. Leipziger Street, Grempstrabe, Friesengasse and Basaktstrabe
The street ad board is kept neat and tidy
DHL, the local mail delivery service, working on a Saturday. The postman didn’t hesitate to leave his bike unattended as he makes his delivery.
This and the following three photos depict a community/allotment garden. Small plots of land are either owned or rented by individuals wanting some green space to grow vegetables or flowers. Some of these plots may have a small playground for their little ones.
Saturday morning coffee in the sunshine.
The streets start to fill up as the stores start opening.
Koln (Cologne), North Rhine-Westphalia (4) – A Walk Along the Rhine (Day Five)
A walk along the Rhine River gave me many photo ops. Going south the east bank from Hohenzollernbrucke (bridge), crossing Severinsbrucke (bridge) to the west bank, a small detour south to Harry Blum Platz and then back north to Kolner Dom. This is just a small sampling of what this great city had to offer. Wish we had more than a day.
Starting on the east bank beside Hohenzollernbrucke (bridge), we are looking towards the west bank. St. Martin Kirche in the background with a tour boat docked at Rheingarten. The small shops to the immediate left is a lock store where we purchased the lock for our Grandson (see previous post).
Koln (Cologne), North Rhine-Westphalia (1) – Hohenzollern Bridge (Day Five)
Along the east side, looking south to Deutzer Brucke (bridge), we walk along the Rheinboulevard. Long stretch of concrete benches available to sit, relax and watch the river activities.
On Severinsbrucke looking north at Kolner Dom on the left and office towers on the right.
Crossing Severinsbrucke, looking at interesting shaped apartments and offices
Harry Blum Platz. The building to the right reminds me of the same architecture used in the Main Post Office in my hometown of Humboldt, SK.
Walking along Im Zollhafen
The pedway Auf der Hansewerft
Riverside cafe
Rheingarten
Shops along Am Frankenturm
Kölner Philharmonie with Kolner Dom in the background
Koln (Cologne), North Rhine-Westphalia (3) – The Interior of Kolner Dom (Day Five)
The interior of the cathedral reflects the same magnificence as the exterior. Intricate in detail, majestic in structure and beauty in design. If you are ever in Koln, this is a must see.
Looking towards the Nave from the front entrance
Looking towards the front entrance from the Nave
The Shrine of the Three Holy Kings
The Nativity of Christ window, 1507
The Adoration window, 1846
The West Portal Window, 1865-70
Johannes Klein Windows, 1884
Window of South Transept, 2007
Window of St. Paul, 1994
This statue of St. Christopher, who carries the Christ Child on his Shoulders, is the patron saint of all travellers.
The Milan Madonna is the oldest devotional image of Mary in the Gothic cathedral.
The Gero Crucifx was donated by Archbishop Gero in 976 and has hung in this spot since 1350.
The Jewellery Madonna is a devotional image decorated with countless pieces of jewellery that were donated by the faithful as tokens of gratitude. The sculpture dates from the late seventeenth century and the jewellery dates between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Altar of the Poor Clares, High Feast Day Opening
Altar of the City Patrons, c 1442
Koln (Cologne), North Rhine-Westphalia (2) – The Exterior of Kolner Dom (Day Five)
Kolner Dom is a Roman Catholic Church situated beside the main Hauptbahnhoff. To come outside the main doors of the station and see this spectacular structure in front of you, can certainly take your breath away.
Seat of the Archbishop of Cologne, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. Covering 7,014 square meters, it is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe. I certainly can relate to this as I was having a difficult time getting the whole thing in my frame.
Koln (Cologne), North Rhine-Westphalia (1) – Hohenzollern Bridge (Day Five)
Hohenzollern Bridge is full of “Locked” love.
Situated over the Rhein (Rhine) River in Koln, this pedestrian/train bridge serves as the main access to Hauptbahnhof.
Kolner Dom in the background
The red lock with the black and blue hearts in the center of the photo belongs to my Grandson, “Becket Adams 09-23-2016”. Hope someday he can be there physically to see it.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria (4) – Street Views (Day Four)
One of Europe’s most medieval towns is so picturesque with its’ cobblestone streets and flower-filled window boxes.
One of many cobblestone roads with inviting eateries
Beautiful door frames
One of many quaint and colourful hotels
St. Blaise Chapel is located in the Burg garden. The building contains a war memorial honouring the German soldiers who were killed in two world wars, with the names listed on the wall.
I always appreciate an ivy-covered wall
The Town Hall
Ratstrinkstube (City Councillors’ Tavern) located next door to the Town Hall
The window opens on the hour between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm and between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm to show the legendary “Meistertrunk” (Master Draught). Legend has it that when the Catholic General Tilly threatened to plunder and destroy the Protestant city, he promised to spare the town if a Councillor can down 3 1/2 litres of wine in one draught. The mayor stepped forward to perform the deed and a mechanical re-enactment of this event is shown during these times.
The many tourists in Markpl watching the legendary “Meistertrunk”
Leaving the walled town on Rodergasse
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria (3) – St. Jacob’s Church (Day Four)
St. Jacob’s (a.k.a St. James’s) Church, located in the heart of town, was a major place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.
A staff member takes a break with a book in the warm sun
The overhand outside the entrance of the church
One of two towers
Twelve Apostles Altar
A beautiful performance by a busker outside the church
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria (2) – Views from the Wall (Day Four)
The 3.5 km walk along the top of the wall gave us a great view of wonderful architectural designs and styles of Rothenburg homes and buildings.
Looking down from a tower gate
One of the numerous small shopping districts
A horse drawn carriage adds a nice old-fashion touch
a.k.a the “Red Fort on the River Tauber”…due to the red roof tops
Feels like you’re in one of “Grimm’s Fairytales”
Looking down into residential backyard with many fruit trees
I’m not sure if I can live in a house that can be viewed by hundreds of tourists on a daily basis.
Part of the wall actually sits beside someone’s backyard.
The above and following photos shows views of the surrounding outside the wall.
Fai Quan 