Last Day in Germany

We spent most of the day in Nuremberg. We walked around the old part of town. We didn't see any recent historical sites (we didn't really want to), but instead focused on its much older, historical charms.

We walked around the castle and Durer's house (a famous German painter), some churches, and the market. This is where the Christmas market is held every December. We shopped in some of the stores, and tasted some local food. We bought fresh strawberries and shared a type of gingerbread cookie (that Nuremberg is famous for) from the market.

On the way home (back to Jaren's parents apartment) we stopped and walked around some smaller castles. The first was in Lohr, and it is the "Snow White Castle." (There are several fairy tale castles in Germany from the Grimm brothers tales). Can you see the seven dwarves and Snow White in front of the castle?

The second was the water castle (Mespelbrunn castle).

We had such a great time in Germany. Everything went by way too fast! We are grateful to Jaren's parents for making our trip so fun and memorable!

Castles and more castles!

This morning we went to Wartburg Castle. This castle is old, first mentioned in documents in 1087. It has a long history, and one significant event is the translation of the New Testament by Martin Luther. Martin Luther took refuge in the castle under the Duke of Saxony's protection, there he translated the bible from Latin into the common German language for everyone to be able to read.

There are newer additions (from around the 18th and 19th centuries) as well as the well-preserved oldest parts of the castle. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was in-style to restore old castles, and this castle also had some restorations. The tour we took was very interesting. We learned some of the history and legends of the castle. We went through the palace part of the castle and it was beautiful!

An important woman in Wartburg history is Saint Elisabeth. Many of the murals and paintings in the palace depicted scenes from her life. She was a princess and came to live in Wartburg in 1211, when she was 4 years old. She married the Count (called a landgrave) when she was just 14. She committed much of her life to helping and caring for the poor and the needy. She opened several hospitals and worked in them. She performed lowly duties that were very unsuitable for royalty. Her husband died while away on the crusades and as a result she had to leave the castle. She and her children went to live at a monastery and she worked at a hospital she had donated. She died at the young age of 24.

After we toured the palace, we were taken to a museum inside the castle. There were original bibles and teachings of Martin Luther on display. There was also a fun little "printing press" where we printed our own pictures of the castle. We eventually walked through the old part of the castle to the exact room where Martin Luther translated the bible.

I really enjoyed touring this castle and learning about its religious significance. Because of Martin Luther there was a reformation and the bible became available for everyone to read. There had to be a reformation to eventually lead to religious freedom and the restored gospel.

We then drove to and toured Ehrenburg Palace. This is where Prince Albert grew up and he and Queen Victoria would stay in this palace whenever they visited. I loved seeing all the different rooms and their decorations (no photography was allowed unfortunately). This palace was more modern than the castles we have visited this week.

We also walked around Veste Coburg, another castle not too far from the palace we had just visited. Prince Alberts ancestors lived here, but moved to the palace in the 1600s.

Jaren's dad told me that Germany (keep in mind, it's about the size of Montana) has over 2,500 castles and palaces (this does include ruined, unrestored castles). There are so many castles here!

Braunfels and Kassel

Today we went to Braunfels Castle. We had planned to go to this castle when we first arrived in Germany, but it was closed at the time. We took a tour and saw the rooms and the gardens.

After, we went to the city of Kassel. We went to the main park here and afterward we ate at a tavern that has been around since the 1700s. This tavern is the same one where the Grimm brothers collected their fairy tales all those years ago! The tavern had a fairy-tale theme and the food was great.

The park...

The tavern...

View from our hotel...

Burg Eltz and Trier

Today was busy! (And SO FUN!) Fortunately, the weather was warmer, and I have been feeling better. After breakfast, we began the day with a hike (about 1.5 miles) from our hotel to Eltz Castle (Burg Eltz). The hike was beautiful, everything is so green here!

The Eltz family first built their castle complex here nearly 1000 years ago (and it looked like it does today in the 1400's.) It has stayed in the family ever since it was first built and is still owned by the family today. We took a tour of the castle and walked around the grounds. The castle is very well maintained and has never had to be restored, it was never ruined by battles or war.

Afterward we drove to the city of Trier. Trier is an ancient city, colonized by the Romans. There are Roman ruins all over. We saw some of the ruins (some of them have been turned into churches), and there was a fun shopping center we went through.

Porta Nigra (Latin for Black Gate). This is the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps. It was built between 186 and 200 AD. It was originally a lighter color, but darkened over time and the name The Black Gate came about in the Middle Ages.

The Cathedral of Trier. This is the oldest cathedral in the country. (Made of Roman brick.)

Inside the cathedral...

The Bascilica of Constantine. This was built by the emperor Constantine (AD 306-337) at the beginning of the 4th century. It was a Roman palace but today it is used as a church.

The fun, bustling shopping center that is a lot like a mall. There's lots of trendy clothing shops and fun restaurants.

Cathedrals

Sunday, May 15

Today was very relaxing. We slept in, which felt great. Jet lag has been harder on me this trip... I haven't been feeling well. My body is having a difficult time adjusting and I've been feeling sick, so it was nice to have a day with basically no agenda besides going to church.

We went to the international ward from 2-5. I loved it! Everything was spoken in English. There were so many members from all over the world! We heard accents from England, Africa, Italy, Portugal, Germany, America, and some others. There were also investigators from Afghanistan (refugees). Church was very uplifting, and everyone was so welcoming. After church, we ate dinner, and I went to bed (still wasn't feeling too well).

Monday, May 16

Today was a fun day of site-seeing! (I've also been feeling a little better.) We woke up early and headed for Cologne. (Fun fact! Eau de Cologne, the scented perfume, originated here!)

 I really wanted to see the Cologne Cathedral, and it did not disappoint. It is massive! Huge! The architecture is gothic, and construction began in the 13th century.

Today is a religious holiday in Germany, called The Day of Pentecost. The cathedral had a special Mass going on, with a live orchestra and beautiful music! We climbed to the top of the bell tower, and the bells rang while we were at the top!

In front of the cathedral... (I'm wearing mittens because it's windy and my hands get cold!)

View from the top of the bell tower...

The cathedral...

The whole gang...

Inside the cathedral...

Picture from Google of the entire Cologne Cathedral...

We also visited the Aachen Cathedral. (Also very big.) This cathedral is OLD (oldest cathedral in Northern Europe). It has been used since the 800's. The inside of this church was amazing! I love how well-preserved these old cathedrals are.

Picture from Google of the entire Aachen Cathedral...

Tonight we are staying at a hotel near a castle we are visiting tomorrow.