Metropol Apartments
Muhlstrasse 1
Tubingen, Germany
Sunday, June 30, 2024
70sF, sunny and a little rain
We awoke early to a quiet Tubingen on a Sunday morning for a
short bus ride to the train station. Thankfully there was a Veit Bakery there
so we could grab a bite (croissant) and some coffee before we were off on
another adventure.
Three trains later, about 4 hours, we arrived in Lindau on
Lake Constance, near the borders of Switzerland and Austria. Lindau, population
about 25,000, is a delightful old town situated on an island. The area has been German since 1805, Austrian
previously. The harbor entrance features the Bavarian lion and a lighthouse (Germany’s
most southern lighthouse) set against the Alps and the lake.
Friend Ann was anxious to meet her 2nd cousin,
Petra and Petra’s son Paul there—a very nice circumstance, especially since we knew
Ann’s story of her two great uncles, one American-the other German, both killed
in World War I.
Since we were hungry again, Petra and Paul joined us for
lunch at Onkel Tom’s Wirst Haus. I was so happy to see hamburgers! My house hamburger was delicious with a
mixture of ketchup, mayonnaise, and a “special sauce,” tomatoes, and gooey
cheese. TK enjoyed his currywurst brat—a
sausage about 10 inches long with a barbecue-like sauce and curry. Both lunches included French fries.
After lunch we walked around the old town, beautifully preserved buildings, some dating to the 11th century, possibly earlier. Lindau is a renowned summer resort and tourist center and retains its medieval and Baroque appearance.
Of particular interest to me was Peterskirsche (St. Peter’s
Church). The church was once dedicated to the apostle Simon Peter, the patron
saint of the fishermen. Until 1180, St. Peter's Church was the parish church of
the town of Lindau. The eastern parts of the existing building probably date
from the middle of the 12th century, while the western third of the nave with
the entrance dates from 1470. The church
was deconsecrated in the 17th century and was consecrated again as a
war memorial in 1928.
I was interested in the frescoes in the chapel, attributed by
some art historians to German painter Hans Holbein the Elder, an artist among many whom I
studied in art history classes at college in Aix-en-Provence. He lived c. 1470-c. 1524. The style, subject
manner, time period, all match, and he was living nearby at one point, but
personally if they really were Holbein’s work, I would think they would be much
better cared for and guarded. The church/chapel was open, no one else in sight. No matter, they were beautiful, and I am glad
that I saw them.
We continued our stroll with another break for gelato—I can attest
to the fact that Fruits of the Forest is wonderful.
New adventure tomorrow! I will add that we are grateful for a guide who can read train and bus schedules like no one else! And one more thing, Germans are very very polite and have given up seats on the trains several times for me.
TK’s Takes: Yesterday was hot, today cold!
Ann’s Takes: I was so
excited to see my cousins!
Derek’s Takes: Well worth
the train ride for the beautiful lake view!
Chris’s
Takes: Soaking in all the scenery on the train ride, the orchards,
the fields, the little towns!
Jim’s Takes: Enjoyed
another/different German beer—Meckatzer!
K1 and K2
tomorrow!
