TUBINGEN GREETED US ON THE NECKAR RIVER!

 

Metropol Apartments

Muhlstrasse 1

Tubingen, Germany

June 29, 2024

83F, sunny

 

Train station in Tubingen

Bye to Munich at 9 a.m.—we hopped on trains to get us to Tubingen (I use this term lightly as we are schlepping luggage and going down steep stairs or escalators, getting on a train that quickly closes its doors, then up again many times. I am very grateful that Derek, Chris, Jim, and Tim help with this project, mostly for me).   The process took us about 4 hours.

 

Tubingen is a delightful city, population 90,000, and our rooms were ready for us at Metropol Apartments. No elevators, but only one set of stairs to our room.  TK and I are grateful that we can do all this walking and climbing although it does get interesting. Today was also a hot one.

 

In southwest Germany, Tubingen is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. The University of Tübingen, is a public research university. The university's museum, housed in Hohentubingen Castle, has an exhibit of UNESCO World Heritage Ice-Age Art. 

 After lunch, we trekked up a 90 degree hill (I swear) to get to the museum housed in the university. I was very interested because I had watched YouTube videos of some of the early archeological artifacts in this museum. The long long walk was worth i

Horse carved from mammoth ivory

40,000 years ago

discovered in Vogelherd Cave located in Germany

about 2 in. x 1 in. and such an impact!

One of the earliest carvings ever found

"Animal" (I think it is a cave bear)

Vogelherd Cave

Half sculpture of a lion made of

mammoth ivory

40,000 years old

Official description of the carved figures

"Stone Man," 5th or 6th century B.C.

Found in a Celtic grave mound

probably a person of highest ranking of

Hall Statt society

Found in Hirschlanden near Leonburg

German coins--middle of the 12th century. Palatine Counts of

Tubingen were minting coins made from silver 

deposits in the Black Forest

I loved seeing a replica of the artwork on the Caves of 

Lascaux, France (ceiling)

I've read so much about them and it is very difficult to see them, especially since I am not an archeologist and I probably would have some difficulty sliding a rope into the cave.  I believe these are life size replicas--really a thrill to see this.

Cave wall

Early German woodcut Bible

Revelations in Latin

 

Ann and Jim with Tubingen in the background

Steep descent back to the old city

Along the way down to the old city, we found a gelato shop and enjoyed a refreshing cone—fruits of the forest was fabulous!

Jim and Ann with gelato!

 Finally we took a little stroll along the Neckar River--

A view one would expect in Germany!

Tim and Chris walking along the Neckar River

I am very  happy for an early evening, and a short 9805 steps today. TK chalked up 6500—he is disappointed that he did not go to the museum.

TK's Takes:  Very hot today, 92F. When one's "pee" is yellow, one must drink more water.

FROM DACHAU TO MUNICH, THE RESIDENCE MUSEUM AND ENGLISH GARDENS

 Jams Hotel

Stubenvollstrasse 2

https://www.jams-hotel.com

Munich, Germany

Friday, June 28, 2024

83F, sunny 

International Monument

Apologies to readers--it is getting more difficult to keep up. We returned to the hotel about 8:30 p.m. to pack for tomorrow --- 22,400 steps today, which is about 11 miles. I think I am at about my max and we are lucky we have kept up this far.  TK: 17,552

This was a very significant day because we went to Dachau, one of the first concentration camps built by Nazi Germany and the longest running one, opening on 22 March 1933. The camp was initially intended to intern Hitler's political opponents, which consisted of communists, social democrats, and other dissidents.  

Mortal Agony of Christ Chapel (Catholic Memorial)

Soon, political prisoners, Poles, Romani, Jews, homosexuals, the homeless, Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholic priests, and Communists were sent there. Later even Greeks, Hungarians,  Dutch, French, and more were transferred to Dachau.

 Many prisoners tried to start a resistance, but were heavily punished  and condemned to death.   

By 1941 medical experiements were performed on the sick and those unfit to work, biochemicals, sulfamide, great altitudes and hypothermia tested, typhoid treatments. 

By the end stage of the war, hygiene and food rationing were catastrophic, and there was much typhus.

Jewish Memorial

The parabola-shaped structure features a ramp that 

leads downward, reminding visitors of the extermination 

of European Jews. At its lowest point, light shines into the memorial 

through an opening. A menorah – 

a seven-branched candelabrum – made of marble from 

Peki’in is positioned on the top of the structure. 

The crematoriums were shut  down because of a coal shortage--one can imagine or do more research as to what was done to prisoners then. 

A plaque noted that the 42nd U.S. Army Division and a few others liberated the camp, but thousands of liberated prisoners died because it was not known how to care for those who were starving--lots of food was not the answer.

The Protestant Church of Reconciliation

The Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, which stands on the site of the original camp, opened to the public in 1965. Friend Judy and I visited Dachau in 1967.  The visit had a great impact on  me then and it did now. There was much more information today, but the memorials are still there, with a message that onen must never forget.

It is free to enter and thousands of people visit Dachau each year to learn about what happened there and remember those who were imprisoned and died during the Holocaust.

Barracks--104 men, 2 toilets

A book reports of the known names of those who died at Dachau. There were 19 surnames like ours. There were none with the surname of my sons.  I am sure research continues.

After our contemplative visit to Dachau, we returned to Munich and did some more sightseeing.

Near Marienplatz-Munich

Town Hall-Munich

Munich

St. Michael the Archangel

Lunch here

Another view of where some had lunch

After lunch we went to the Residence Museum, the Royal Palace/apartments of the king and queen of Bavaria--very neoclassical.

https://www.residenz-muenchen.de/englisch/museum/koenigsb.htm

I absolutely loved the marble doorframes

Marble fireplace

Blue Marble

Blue marble closeup

Chapel

Chandelier and mirror

King's bedroom

Wait, there's more--

After a brief respite, we hopped the train and tram to go to the English Gardens.

First, the surfers on a strong current

Buy your food here

Eat here--and you wondered how we could walk 11 miles

On to our next adventure!

REGENSBURG AND THE DANUBE AND OTHER ADVENTURES

 Jams Hotel

Stubenvollstrasse 2

https://www.jams-hotel.com

Munich, Germany

June 27, 2024

73F, sunny 

Subways, trains, and buses encore! By the way, yesterday I had 13,100 steps and TK was not far behind.  Today's tally is 18,700 for me and 15,829  for TK. In other words, the buses and trains do not deliver us door to door, we have to do a little walking too.

On the train to Regensburg, about a 2 hour ride, I had a bit of excitement when I used the bathroom.  Afterward, I told Derek that I need to know the words for open, close, and lock. I will leave it like that for now--we did not get back to the hotel until 10ish and it will be another big day tomorrow.   

Note the sign!

DESTINATION MUNICH: BUSES AND TRAINS AND SUBWAYS!

 

Town Hall Tower in Marienplatz/Munich featuring the
world famous glockenspiel

Jams Hotel

Stubenvollstrasse 2

https://www.jams-hotel.com

Munich, Germany

June 26, 2024

73F, sunny until a midafternoon thunderstorm, then off and on rain

 

We said goodbye to Bad Reichenhall about 9:30 this morning as we schlepped our bags to the bus stop so we could get to the train. I will say that Derek sure knows arrival and departure times, as well as the location of all bus stops and train stations. Thankfully, Derek and Chris help with the bags when necessary.

 

In about 2 ½ hours we arrived in Munich and learned yet again that doors on trains close VERY quickly. For the 2^nd time, part of our group could not get off the train in time and we could wave goodbye as they went ever onward without us, or us without them.  Strangely that has not happened to TK and me yet and I don’t want to jinx us.  That said, our “teammates” got back to where we were standing quite quickly.  All of us have become beasts of burden with our luggage which may or may not be slowing us down.

 

Enough of that, we got on a bus to take us near our Munich hotel.  As TK remarked yesterday, we have been on so many buses and trains it is hard to remember how we got where. 

 

Munich or München is the capital and most populous city of the Free State of Bavaria, Germany. With a population of 1,589,706 inhabitants in 2024,  it is the third-largest city in Germany, after Berlin and Hamburg, and thus the largest which does not constitute its own state, as well as the 11th-largest city in the European Union.

The city was first mentioned in 1158.  In the 1920s, Munich became home to several political factions, among them the Nazi Party. After the Nazis' rise to power, Munich was declared their "Capital of the Movement". The city was heavily bombed during World War II, but has restored most of its old town and boasts nearly 30.000 buildings from before the war all over the city. After the end of postwar American occupation in 1949, there was a great increase in population and economic power during the years of Wirtschaftswunder. The city hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Today, Munich is a global center of science, technology, finance, innovation, business, and tourism. Munich enjoys a very high standard and quality of living.

Munich is renowned for its beer culture, being home to the world-famous Oktoberfest. This annual festival draws millions to celebrate Bavarian culture, enjoy folk music, and savor a wide variety of beers.  Iconic spots like the Hofbräuhaus and various beer gardens offer traditional settings to enjoy a stein among locals.

 The heart of Munich, Marienplatz, is known for the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) and its Glockenspiel. This historic square is dominated by the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), an architectural marvel of the Gothic Revival style that commands the city’s skyline with its intricate facades and towering spires.

 The centerpiece of the New Town Hall, its Glockenspiel, is a marvel of mechanical ingenuity. This elaborate clock features 32 life-sized figures and 43 bells. While you are there, make sure to catch the Glockenspiel show in Munich’s Marienplatz at 11:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. (noon).

 

So, we unloaded our luggage about 12:30 p.m. and headed for Marienplatz, by subway. Knowing that a thunderstorm was due, we packed in a lot of things this afternoon.

Marienplatz and our group.

 The glockenspiel in the tower of the New Town Hall 

on Marienplatz is world famous. 

Details of the glockenspiel in the Tower

After our group photo, we headed to Hofbrauhaus. Friend Judy (Nebraska/now Florida) and I ate there 56 years ago, and two German and two American soldiers sat with us. It was a fun time and afterwards we all went dancing—this was on a break from college in France. How hearts were young then!

Today was very enjoyable too as our group is quite congenial.  Live “Oompa” music played in the background while servers juggled glasses of beer, large and small, water, and soda to waiting guests. Pretzels, beef vegetable soup, Coke Zero, hit the spot for TK and me. 

Band during lunch!

We shared this pretzel/Hofbrauhaus

We walked around the largest outdoor market in Munich. Cheese shops, wine, meat, flowers, honey, oils, and many other items, but this market was not like Barcelona's.

Altar in the Munich catherdral,

St. Peter's

Beautiful pulpit in St. Peter's

 

By this time, thunder clouds were brewing and we headed back to the hotel. A few raindrops caught us.

 

Jams is a modern hotel with no AC, but cool enough today.  By 6:30 p.m. we were ready for dinner at L’Osteria around the corner from Jams through the raindrops.  Believe it or not this Italian restaurant had pizza and the SpaghettiEis we were looking for!

Margharita Pizza

The Germans are well known for their

spaghettieis-extruded ice cream with strawberry 

topping that looks like spaghetti

Another fine day!

 

TK's Takes:  He noticed poppies like those the poem "Flanders Field" mentions.   We first encountered these non-opium poppies on our WWI trips in France. They grow like weed--he saw them along the railroad tracks.  And, he commented on how many bikes he has seen in Germany--oodles, even on the train.