Saturday, November 7, 2015

DAY 7--REGENSBURG, GERMANY

Regensburg became an international trading hub in the 12th century when locals built the Stone Bridge over the Danube. This was our first day of the trip where we didn't get on a bus and travel to our tour location. The ship docked right in town so the entire tour was by foot.

We viewed the entrance to the city built by the Romans during Marcus Aurelius's reign. The Porta Praetoria is exposed once the plaster has been removed to reveal the ancient stones laid so long ago.  


Salt was the major commodity of Regensburg back in ancient times. This is the interior of the building previously used to store the salt. Notice the size of the timbers supporting the roof, still tinged with salt residue. This building is now used for multiple purposes, including a visitor information center.


We passed this construction site. Because of the history of this city, any time construction is done, the area is carefully excavated to look for ruins from earlier times. This old stone wall is being preserved.


We walked past this building which was once the carriage house. You first notice the woman escaping the dragon. But, if you look on the top of the sign and you will see a small carriage being pulled by a horse. These signs were designed to communicate to the common people who could not read.


The Gothic town hall where the Imperial Diet met for three centuries.


The spectacular Cathedral of St. Peter from the outside . . .


with its magnificent 14th-century stained-glass windows.


As we continued our walking tour, we passed many interesting sites in the historic quarter. We were enthralled by these beautiful flower boxes. 


A narrow street lined by shops.


A large outdoor cafe.


One of several town squares we passed.


This 4-story mural caught our eye. This is a classic "David & Goliath" painting. Notice how the left arm of Goliath is resting on the top of the window?


We touched this "lucky mouse" along the wall of a building as we walked back to the ship.


This pub was located near our docking spot. The chain to the left of the portrait is painted on the wall to match up to the chain in the portrait. Quite clever indeed. Unfortunately, the pub was not open mid-afternoon when we walked by it on our way back to the ship.


After lunch on board the ship, we used our free time to walk across the famous Stone Bridge to the west, where there is an island between the Danube Canal and the Danube River. 


This is the view downstream from the Stone Bridge. Our ship is in the distance on the right.


We enjoyed this view of Regensburg from the island. You can see the towers of the Cathedral of St. Peter.


On this afternoon, the reflection of the buildings in the Danube Canal were crystal clear.


As we crossed another bridge back to the city center, we were fascinated by these locks. The padlocks are inscribed with names and dates, perhaps signifying when a couple gets engaged.


This is the modern entrance to Regensburg. The city shield is shown in red on the facade on the right.


As we enter the city, the famous Sausage House is on the left. We could smell the aroma of the sausages on the grill.


Before our ship left Regensburg, Paul admires the view from the Sun Deck.


We enjoyed our walks on the cobblestone streets among centuries of history. The weather has cooperated with mostly sunny skies and cool days. Our ship soon left the dock and began cruising towards the Main-Danube Canal on our final journey to Nuremberg.

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