Take Two

As I mentioned before, I took Dad and Lynn to a lot of towns that we've already been to.  It doesn't get old, though, and in each place I got to discover something new.

Wiesbaden:

St. Bonifatius Church (1849).  I'd never been inside this church before, and it is gorgeous! I don't get sick of the churches.

 I'd never noticed this mosaic in the middle of Schlossplatz before.  I just like it.

Worms:

The Holy Sands Jewish Cemetery.  I'd wanted to go here before, but hadn't gotten a chance.  I seriously could have stayed her the whole day while Dad and Lynn toured around Worms by themselves.  It was such a perfectly gorgeous day, the birds were chirping, and it was so peaceful and lovely.  I like cemeteries as much as I like churches ;)

 

It is Europe's oldest existing Jewish cemetery.  The oldest tombstone is from 1076, but many that have now disappeared may be even older. The cemetery was closed in 1911, but I think the newest stones I saw was 1930's or 40's, which were of spouses of people who had already been buried there before it closed.  And now, excuse me while I share a million pictures of tombstones.

Below is the tombstone of Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (who was said to have been captured and then died in prison because he didn't want the community to pay a high ransom for him) and Alexander ben Solomon Wimpfen Susskind (who ransomed the corpse of the Rabbi and had it buried here).  The tombstones are covered with little pieces of paper and stones to show respect.

Dad at the synagogue.

I also really liked this artwork of the cathedral. we happened across it in the public library.  It gets my creative juices going and gives me ideas ;)

Mainz:

Gutenberg Museum - history of the book, printing and writing, exhibiting important printed works from the 15th century to the present, including two copies of the world-famous Gutenberg Bible.  Dad and I took several pictures before we were told that we couldn't (ummmm, there were no signs about that anywhere - sorry).

 

The Gutenberg Bibles were really cool to see, but just as cool was the Bible next to them that had been done by hand! Definitely wish I could have taken pictures of those!  They were actually inside a vault - crazy to think how much they are worth!

 

I admit, that even after I knew I wasn't supposed to take pictures, I snuck a couple of pictures of some Medieval books that gave me a giggle....in a morbid kind of way. The first one was a law book, and had a picture showing various forms of punishment.  The picture shows all the criminals (or victims of torture?) with smiling, serene faces.  Yes, I'm sure the guy getting gutted with a knife was having a really peaceful moment.

The second one was an anatomy book, and had a picture titled "Wound Man", showing all of the most common wounds of the day, which were basically knives, sword, and arrow wounds all over the body.  Must have been rough.  I'm sorry, but that's just hilarious ;)

 

It was another beautiful day that day, and we were loving all the flowers all over town.

And we thoroughly enjoyed a "light snack" of tasty pastries.

Frankfurt:

St. Nicholas Church (13th century).  Went inside this time.

 

And then we listened to the church bells, and enjoyed Romerberg (Frankfurt's historic city center).

I'd seen the fountain several times....

....but I hadn't ever looked that closely. Hmmmmm, don't be offended ;)

There was a new, well, I don't know what to call it - display, moving art, ???  But it was cool looking.

We also went inside the old St. Paul's church(1833), which hosted the first German national assembly (the first constitution for a united Germany was written here), and is now just used for political and cultural events.

It's a cool, oval-shaped building.  Inside is the weirdest mural I've ever seen!  It wraps all the way around the inside oval of the building.  I should have taken pictures of it all the way around.  Just. Weird.

After a little lunch, we decided to drive over to the LDS temple.  Dad and Lynn met an American couple serving a mission there, and had a lengthy discussion - we think it would be a good idea if they served a mission here too - soon ;)  But really, they'd be great missionaries anywhere. I always love how beautifully the temple grounds are kept, and the Spirit that can be felt there.  Dad and Lynn really lucked out while they were here, because this was another day that we enjoyed perfect weather.

 

Dad and Lynn were brave and ventured out to many places without me, including Darmstadt, Heidelberg, Rothenberg, and Paris!  We hope that they enjoyed their time here as much as we enjoyed having them, and we'll try our best to talk them into coming once again in the next couple of years....you know, if they don't do the mission thing ;)

Rudesheim

I've been playing the tour guide while Dad and Lynn are here, and showing them a bunch of places we've already become familiar with and love.  We had been to Rudesheim before, for the Christmas market (one of our favorites), but hadn't yet had a chance to see the town.  This is a CHARMING little town, and I can't wait to take my own little family back there.

 

 Below - yes, this is a Christmas store.  Remember, Christmas is big here ;)  This is actually a chain store here in Germany called Kathe Wohlfart (known for their exclusive products, handcrafted by German artisans), and they are open year-round.  Actually, they have a website too, if you want to check them out.  I sound like a commercial, but I just like the store, okay? ;)

Catholic parish church of St. James (below) - originally built in the 11th century, almost completely destroyed in 1944, then rebuilt.

 

 In this area is one of two carillons in town (the bells you see in the tower below).  They only play once in the morning, but we got to hear them. 

This isn't my video, but you can hear what the bells sound like.

 

 After walking through the streets and a bunch of shops, we took the cable car up to the Niederwald Monument.  Rudesheim is right on the Rhein river, so the cable car offered some great views of the town, the river, and the surrounding vineyards.

To the right (above and below) you can see Boosenburg Castle (9th century), which is privately owned, so you can't go inside.

 On top of the monument is Germania , holding up the German Imperial Crown in one hand, and resting the other on the Imperial Sword.  It was erected in 1877 to symbolize the re-establishment of the German Empire after the Franco-Prussian War.

 

This is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of Rudesheim's aristocratic dwellings - The Bromserhof (1542). 

 Outside are the other carillon (bells), inside is a museum of musical instruments, and across the street was another of our favorite shops selling a large variety of music boxes.

 We finished off the day with a delicious Apfelstrudel, and plans to come back as soon as possible.