Franconian Rhapsody

We escaped the Slavic lands of Bohemia relatively unscathed, and entered the magical world of Franconia yesterday.  Everyone still has their passports and most of their teeth.  In Franconia, we visited Bamberg and Rothenburg o.d.T.

It took me hours to set up this shot.  The girls have apparently spotted Justain Beebar or something.

Klosterbrau: people have been eating here in this cellar since 1533.  Not these people.  Other people.

Bamberg's 1000 plus year old cathedral.  Getting some renos!

ETA Hoffman, famous drinker and author of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, lived and worked in Bamberg for several years - squares, cafés, theatres, etc. are named after him.  And a really cool opera called The Tales of Hoffman.

OK, let's give this another go.

Spot the locals (hint: hat)!  Man, there's hardly anything sassy I can say about this picture.  Good work!  Oh wait, Shayne, what are you up to?  

I also have friends.

Green man of the Bamberg Cathedral.  Nobody knows why he is there or what he looking at.

The mysterious Bamberg Horseman.  Who is he?  How did he inspire Claus von Stauffenberg to try to assassinate Hitler?  If you were on the tour, you would know that by now.  If not, check the google.

A well in the crypt of the cathedral.  Rare feature.

Adam and Eve.  And Pete.  I think.

He just did something bad.

The sun came and went over Bamberg.

More Bamberg Cathedral.

Hey, look at us!  We're in a different town now.  It's called Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and we are super excited to be here!

Kids and parents milling about, getting ready for our day in Rothenburg.

Always grinning, this guy.  When I tell him to.

Street, hanging back in the shadows behind 19.  Looks like he's got something to say to me.

Another Street, front and centre this time, and our ridiculously long line of people taking over the ramparts of this walled medieval city.

I couldn't read the weight restriction for the bridge - it was in some other language for some reason.  Hopefully this was safe.  I stayed on solid ground and took the picture just in case - no need to worry. 

Bridge is still standing.  All OK.

Awaiting the greatest show in all of Germany.

Some people are just skeptical.

That Samoyed has a little friend, just like my Samoyed.

Saint Jacob and Saint Jacob, off to Spain!

Tilman Reimenschneider was the preeminent sculptor of the Holy Roman Empire - working mostly with wood instead of marble.  This is one of his masterpieces - the Altar of the Holy Blood.  His ability to bring expressive emotion into his carving was unparalleled at the time.  This interpretation of the Last Supper brings Jesus (tallest figure) and Judas (holding a bag of money) close together.  On the week leading up to Good Friday/Easter, Judas is removed from the scene!

Lots of gothic arches, stained glass, and stairs in this cathedral dedicated to Saint James (or Jakob in German).

Luther in glass.

Ella, inspired by all the art, has created her own masterpiece.

Beautiful stained glass and painted wood altar.

Functionality and serenity.

It's me!  And my friend George, the Night Watchman of Rothenburg.  And my protégé, the artists formerly known as Darren Melhus.

He's scary and sassy.  That weapon is real.

Very creepy.  The people with their umbrellas up in front of us I mean.  Just creeps.

Like an apparition straight from the Middle Ages, the Night Watchman appears at 8 PM every night, and disappears at 9 PM.  Some say he goes to Hell after his tour.