En route from Heidelberg to Eberbach

We bid a fond farewell to Heidelberg. We are no longer on the Rhine river but are biking 33 miles along the Neckar to Eberbach.

Good bye Heidelberg Castle

On the way, we encountered a small village built into the side of the hills.  I'm sorry I don't know the name.

When I say built into the side of the hills, I mean the roads zig-zagged to and fro in front of and behind the houses and shops.  The front doors would be on one level and the back door would be on the second floor.  The roads were so steep that half way up we had to abandon our bikes and continue on foot.  I couldn't imagine living in such a place.  The people there must have basketballs for calves.

Neckar River

Our boat floating below.

On the edge of the village was an old church.  I don't know it's age but judging from the Gothic arches I could say later Medieval.

The church was different from other churches in that it had painting on the walls. I deduce this church was older than the others we had previously seen.

As an organist I find these small self-contained organs fascinating.  I would have liked to play on it or look inside the box and see how it functioned.

These are the tombs of ladies and knights gone by.

From our cabin on the boat.

Back on the boat and on to our final stop:  Eberbach which I will present next time.

Heidelberg continued

In Heidelberg we walked around and spent some time sitting in the town square eating chocolate bars and enjoying the scenery. Here are some scenes from our afternoon.  Notice above how narrow the streets are.

Town square

The reason the streets are so narrow and labyrinthine is because it helped ward off invaders from getting to the castle.  While the enemy was working their way through the maze of streets and alleyways, the citizens of Heidelberg were retreating to the castle and fortifying it.

Turn of the century house we toured.

Heidelberg Castle

Castle overlooking town square.

Wouldn't you like to live in a town where the houses looked like this?

The markings on the edge of the building show the water levels when the Neckar River over flowed and flooded the town.  Apparently a serious problem at times.

Still smiling after biking 30 miles.  Or grimacing.

The Heidelberg monkey is at the foot of the bridge that leads into the town.  The brass monkey has superstition wrapped around it.  Touch the mirror for wealth and the monkey's hand to return to Heidelberg.

Next to the monkey are a couple of mice.  If you rub them you will have many children.  I rubbed it for fun, but I'm not particularly fearful of any fertility after results.

 

Heidelberg University, established in 1386, is Germany's oldest university.  Mark Twain wrote about it as well as the town in his story, Tramps Abroad.

 The church of the Holy Spirit is an interesting mix of modern and traditional art.  If I remember the tour guide correctly, the windows on one side were blasted out during war and replaced with modern works.  I must confess that I preferred the order and harmony of the traditional windows but you can decide for yourself.

 Don't ask me what the white thing hanging from the ceiling is.  Something modern.

 The above window is quite modern but also lovely.

And that is our time in Heidelberg.  Back to the bikes and the river!

Mainz, Germany

The following photos are scenes as we floated down the river to Mainz, Germany.  If there is a country with more castles on rivers than Germany's Rhine river, I'd like to know about it.

Rows and rows of cultivated vineyards.

  I like to take photos of historical buildings.  Josh likes birds.  The following photos were taken by him.

An eagle circling overheard.

For the life of me I can't place this building.   I think it is a government building, probably at one time a Lord or Duke's palace.

Outside the Mainz Museum, standing next to Mr. Gutenberg.  Inside is the Gutenberg press and some of the Bibles that were printed there.  Unfortunately it was Sunday and closed.  I did my best to look through the windows but didn't see much.

Mainz Cathedral

 Mainz Museum with the Gutenberg press.

St. Stephen's Church.  The stained glass images are by Marc Chagall.  It was a real treat to finally see these in person.

It was Sunday evening, therefore church was about to start.   Josh and I slipped in and sat down.  There was choir rehearsal with organ so in addition to enjoying Chagall's art we got to listen to lovely organ music for a half hour.  Then Mass began.  We thought it would not be respectful to continue snapping photos during the service so we slipped back out.

I am an organist and play on an Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ for my church.  I appreciated the beauty of this man's playing and the superb quality of the organ.

Old Town Mainz.

This interesting fellow was guarding the Mainz Cathedral

Thus endeth our first boat stop. From here, no more boat rides.  Josh and I biked from town to town.   Next stop: 20 miles to Nierstein.