Bamberg and a new river

Wednesday Dec 7,

Today we visited the lovely medieval town of Bamberg, on the Main River.  The Main (pronounced Mine) runs between the Rhine and the Danube, connected by a canal, and traveling the three rivers requires some 69 locks with nearly 1300 foot elevation adjustment!  The ship often rocks a bit as it enters the narrow locks, and collides with the sides, which the captain says is the fault of the lock changing shape over the years, and not his navigation!  

We reached our port in the afternoon, so had time for a leisurely late breakfast and  a presentation by the cruise director about the history of the region, and the Chief Engineer about operation of the vessel, all very interesting.  After lunch, we met our tour guide and walked all through the town and saw the beautiful ancient town hall or Rathaus, which was built on an island in the river, because when the people wanted a new building, they were not given any land on which to build, so they got creative. There are many half timber buildings and ancient structures in this well preserved UNESCO world Heritage city, and the pastel colored Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture is absolutely charming. The Bamber Cathedral was originally built in 1100, but burned down and was rebuilt several times, gaining size each time. 

“Little Venice” along the river in Allstate or old town.  The fishermen  were once made to live here because of the smell, but is  now a very desirable place to live.   

St Elizabeth church from 13tg century, where the first station of the cross begins with the wall shown below. 

Way Of the Cross, 1503, oldest preserved, depicting the suffering of Christ, starts at St Elizabeth’s and travels uphill to its final destination at st Gertrude church. The carved faces are exceptional.

Depiction of a hand and an axe on wall  warned  people of the consequences of stealing.

Schlenkera, the most famous of its many breweries, known for its special smoked beer, opened in 1405, and the sixth generation still taps beer in the old fashioned way from wood barrels. We did not taste it, but were told people either respond well to it, or think it tastes like an ash tray! 

Schlenkera brewery

13th century Bamberg Cathedral 

Rathaus, or town hall, built on an island between two bridges. 

Very ornate embellishment on front of the Rathaus

After the guided tour, we had plenty of time to peruse the Christmas markets and find an interesting mug for our Gluwein!  Today however, we had it filled with hot chocolate!  We enjoyed a chat with the vendor, as he had taken his family to visit Disney and areas of Florida last year.  

The markets here included green market type booths, with vegetables and flowers. 

The European Mistletoe with white berries as seen in the trees! 

Chocolate covered fruit kebabs! Not sure why I never got one! 

Back to the ship for tomorrows port talk and ,dinner, and then skipped disco night and returned to our cabin for the remainder of evening.