Fai Quan
formerly known as "Prosaic Traveller"
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria (1) – The Wall (Day Four)
Located 180 kms southeast of Frankfurt, the village of Rothenburg is Germany’s best-preserved walled town. When I heard about this place, I knew we had to make a day-trip to this medieval community to see the history.
My first post of Rothenburg is the short 3km wall walk which took us a couple of hours due to the many stops along the way for the views.
Galgentor entrance on the northeast corner
A small outside theatre
Parts of the wall have a roof providing protection from the sun and rain
Vines add a nice green touch
…and some parts of the wall have thick foliage with added colour
A view of the wall from the outside
Narrow single-file pedway with wooden railings to prevent you from falling over keeps you on your toes
Some sections of the wall is covered on both sides
Moselkern, Rhineland-Palatinate (2) – Burg Eltz (Day Three)
This full day excursion started with getting off at the wrong town (Hatzenport) and ended with a 40 minute train delay returning back to Frankfurt. It was a 2.5km walk through Moselkern from the station to the edge of Eltz Forest. Another 2.5km hike through thick forest on a single-file path took us to the rocky cliff where this castle sits. Then in reverse order going back to the train station. As exhausting as it sounds, it was a exhilarating day.
Burg Eltz is a medieval castle nestled in the hills near the Moselle River. Owned and maintained by the same family for over 850 years, the castle remains unscathed by wars.
Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos of the interior. My photos are exterior only from within the courtyard and a distant road.
After a 2.5 km hike, the view of the castle was a welcome sight to see.
A road leading up the hill away from the castle provides a great view.
Inside the courtyard of the castle.
A couple of hikers leave their heavy backpacks with the guide office so they don’t have to lug them around on the tour.
The dense thick forest gives you an indication what we hiked through to get to the castle.
Deep in the forest, taking the path along the Elzbach. We were advised to follow the creek and we won’t get lost.
Hatzenport & Moselkern, Rhineland-Palatinate (1) – The Towns (Day Three)
Hatzenport
A bit of internet research advised us to get off at Hatzenport (pop. 609) station to catch the bus for Burg Eltz. However, we discovered upon our Wednesday arrival that the buses only run on Saturdays. We were able to get some directions from a local tavern owner who advised us to go to Moselkern (next stop over) and walk from there by following the Eltz Stream. Our 30 minute visit allowed me to snap a few shots of this quaint little town.
Waiting for a bus, we soon discovered it will not be coming by until Saturday.
Local vineyards still green on this gorgeous fall day.
St. Rochus Catholic Church
Taking a path back to the station, we see Pfarrkirche St. Johannes on the hill.
Moselkern
A population of around 550, this picturesque little community brought fairytale sense in me. This was the arrival and departure station that was the closest to Burg Eltz.
A beautiful residence along Elztal
I love these old stoned buildings.
A small bridge allows us to cross Elzbach
Being it was shortly after supper, the Oberstrabe street is deserted.
A colourful cemetery on Oberstrabe and Am Bahnhof
Full of artistic character
Another gorgeous stone building with added greenery.
Private residence on the left and Moselkern Station on the right.
Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg (4) – On the Streets (Day Two)
Here are various street views of Heidelberg. Winding roads, outside malls, modern highways and cobblestone streets gives you an idea of the interesting character Heidelberg possess.
Looking back down a path that took us up to Heidelberg Castle
Around the curve of Neue Schlobstrabe
Another curve on Neue Schlobstrabe
Looking straight down from the west side of Heidelberg Castle
Kornmarkt
Street view of Kornmarkt
Marktplatz
Alte Brücke (bridge across the Neckar River)
Hauptstrabe, lots of shops and eateries
Hauptstrabe
Busker on Hauptstrabe
A flower shop on St. Anna-Gasse
Riverfront walk along the Neckar
A modern building across from Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof
Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg (3) – Views From Heiliggeistkirche (Day Two)
For 2 Euro, you can climb up one of the towers of Heiliggeistkirche for beautiful views of Heidelberg. I have set the photo order counter-clockwise starting from Heidelberg Castle. Hopefully, this will give you a sense of what this beautiful city has to offer.
Starting at Heidelberg Castle
Neckar River
Alte Brucke
Homes along the Neckar River
Alstadt (Old Town)
Jesuitenkirche (on the left). Far distance is the neighborhood of Heidelberg-Bergheim where the Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof (Main) station is located.
High on the hill is Berghanstation a cable car station that would have had beautiful views.
Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg (2) – Heiliggeistkirche (Day Two)
Beautiful view from Schloss Heidelberg, you can see Heiliggeistkirche nestled in the neighborhood of Alstadt (Old Town). Church of the Holy Spirit, which stands in the middle of the market, retained its’ simple Gothic style since the early 1200s.
Jesuitenkirche (the church on the left) and Heiliggeistkirche (the church on the right)
Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg (1) – Heidelberg Castle (Day Two)
Located in the Alstadt neighborhood of Heidelberg beside Neckar River, Schloss Heidelberg rests high up in the north flank of Konigstuhl hill.
This 16th-century castle sits in ruins due to the War of the Grand Alliance (17th Century) and two devastating lightning strikes.
The castle on the side of Konigstuhl hill
The bridge over the moat at the main entrance
The red sandstone used in the structure is very evident.
The oldest surviving part of the castle
Englischer Bau is the remains of a 17th-century addition.
A view of the castle as it overlooks Heidelberg.
Marburg, Hessen (3) – Lutherische Pfarrkirche St. Marien (Day One)
Making our way down from the south side of Marburg Castle to Ritterstrabe, we came across the Protestant church of Lutherische Pfarrkirche St. Marien. I felt we were intruding, so only a few photo ops to capture the beauty of this small church.
It was the sound of the pipe organ that drew us in. The incredible sounds of someone practicing.
Marburg, Hessen (2) – Marburg Castle (Day One)
Marburg Castle a.k.a. Landgrave Palace, is situated on a hilltop on the west side of the Lahn River. Close to the central core of the city, we were able to foot the climb with no problems. Once home to the Landgraves of Hessen, it now serves as a museum.
Coming up to the castle from the back, a view from Hainweg street
The deep moat that runs along the back
A back entrance
A small vineyard is visible with the blue tarp located in the front walkway to the castle.
Pretty lined pathway to the garden
Being mid-September, there weren’t too many blooms left.
Marburg, Hessen (1) – The City (Day One)
Our first excursion took us to Marburg in the state of Hessen. About 200KM outside of Frankfurt, the one hour fast train took us north to this university town with a population of approximately 72,000.
A mix of old and modern architecture, the town is located in the valley of the river Lahn.
Looking south from a narrow walking path near Ketzerbach, we can see Marburg Castle (a.k.a. Landgrave Palace) in the distance.
A view of Cappel neighbourhood from Marburg Castle
A view of Oberstadt neighbourhood from Marburg Castle
Looking down a narrow path that took us to Marburg Castle
A modern home
Across the street is a home that sustained its’ character
St. Michaelskapelle graveyard
Interesting artwork
A bakery located in a modern residential district.
A park runs beside the Lahn River
The old German architecture of the Town Hall adds character in Markt shopping area
A continuation of the Markt shopping area
..and on, it goes
Fai Quan 