Through the Heart of Europe -- Part 7, Trier

We docked at Trier in the Rhineland-Palatinate, which claims to be the oldest city in Germany. It certainly is old, having been settled more than two thousand years ago. It is also the oldest seat of a Christian bishop north of the Alps.

While walking from our bus to the historical center of town we passed this building and it caught my eye. I just like the pattern the window and lamp make.

Trier was extremely important politically. Not only was the Archbishop of Trier an important figure in the Catholic hierarchy and a very large landowner, he was also an elector [one of seven men who chose the emperor] of the Holy Roman Empire. His influence was felt throughout northern Europe.

This is the front of the Elector's Palace in Trier, constructed in the eighteenth century. The building is lopsided because it could not be finished without doing damage to the city's most famous structure.

That structure would be the Constantine Basilica, constructed in the fourth century by Emperor Constantine the Great. Here we see it towering over the Elector's Palace.

The palace garden, once the site of a monastery where, we were informed, Saint Augustine was educated.

The Basilica, constructed by Emperor Constantine back in the fourth century AD. Today it is a Protestant church. For centuries Trier served as an imperial residence.

One of the towers of the bishop's cathedral. Various portions of it were constructed in different eras and so it is a visual representation of the architectural history of the region. The lower parts of this tower were constructed in Romanesque style while the top was early Gothic.

And this adjacent section represents northern high Gothic architecture.

The central market. I was here early in the morning and the vendors were just setting up.

Just a few blocks from the bishop's cathedral is this independent church, constructed by Trier's artisan guilds. They built it just a few feet taller than the highest tower in the Dom -- an indication of some of the social and political tensions that troubled the city in the middle ages.

The House of the Three Magi, first constructed in 1230. Today the first floor [not shown] is a store, but it used to be a plain wall with no entrances. On the right is a floating door which was the way you entered the building, climbing a retractable set of stairs. Putting the entrance on the second floor is an indication of the need for protection residents of Trier felt during the high middle ages.

The Porta Nigra [the Black Gate] -- a Roman gatehouse built in 180 AD. In the eleventh century it was the residence of Saint Simeon, who died there. After his death the gate was converted into a church and was used as such for centuries.

The pathway leading back to the river and our boat. It was a nice stroll through a gorgeous town. There was one local sight we missed. Karl Marx was born in Trier and his home is now a museum to his life and work. Somehow I didn't mind missing it.

Through the Heart of Europe -- Part 5, The Rhine Gorge

Back on the boat we headed down the middle course of Rhine past numerous picturesque castles and towns. Here are a few of the things we saw.

Through the morning we sailed past castle after castle on our way to Boppard. 

This is the Ehrenfels castle.

Eventually we pulled into Boppard where we paused for a while. We ate lunch, then some of us took a walking tour of the town while others boarded a bus for a tour of the Marksburg castle.

Back on the river. Contrails in the sky.

Schloss Liebeneck

Then, towering above us, the Marksburg Castle, the only hilltop castle in the region that was never destroyed.

The town of Lahnstein.

Approaching Koblenz

Castle Ehrenbreitstein

The "German Corner" of Koblenz, where we docked for the night. The mounted statue is of Bismark.

Through the Heart of Europe -- Part 3, Strasbourg

Once back on the boat we embarked on the first stage of the journey -- down the river to Strasbourg. Passing through a number of locks, we floated on through the countryside.

And arrived at our destination.

Swans. Everywhere we went we found swans.

We then transferred to a canal boat for a tour of the city.

The parliament of the European Union meets in Strasbourg in this building.

A man walking his dog along the canal -- you have to look closely to see the dog.

Watch towers and a medieval bridge.

A canal boat.

The famous Strasbourg cathedral.

Mockers across the street from the cathedral

Inside the cathedral

The magnificent rose window.

Returning to the river we encountered more swans..., lots of them.

Through the Heart of Europe -- Part 1, To Basel

This Spring we took a long river journey through the heart of the Dark Continent [Europe]. Our journey began at the Frankfort Airport where we were supposed to catch a Lufthansa flight to Basel, Switzerland.

Unfortunately, when we got to the airport we found that Lufthansa ground crews were threatening a strike and all flights were canceled.

So for ten hours we were stuck at the airport waiting for new flights to be scheduled.

At last we boarded a plane and headed south toward Switzerland. In the distance we could see the Bavarian alps. We arrived in Basel in the evening and were transported to the Rhine river where our boat was waiting for us. The sky above held an interesting conjunction of Jupiter, Venus and the Moon. We hoped it was a good omen.

The sun-deck where I hoped to spend a lot of time as we floated through the heart of Europe.

We went to our cabin and unpacked, explored the boat for a while, then went to sleep. We arose early in the morning and went to the dining room for breakfast where we were greeted by these local residents. I had forgotten just how many swans lived along the Rhine.

Early morning along the Rhine.