Ulm Crooked House“ (Schiefes Haus)

A Crooked or “Schiefes Haus” in Ulm

I sat down at an Italian Eiscafé at the Fisherman’s Quarter in Ulm. I had an excellent view to the „Crooked House“ or in German “Schiefes Haus” while eating an Cherry Amaretto ice cream. Besides this precarious building, I visited the Ulm Cathedral that has the highest church tower in world Continue reading A Crooked or “Schiefes Haus” in Ulm

Halsbandsittich or Rose-Ringed Parakeet 

A strange sight, Parakeets make their home in German trees!

An unusual sight indeed, and that in Germany! The mild climate makes it possible that you will see little Parrots/Parakeets sitting on trees in Northern Rhineland. On the Königsallee in Düsseldorf, for example, the “Halsbandsittich” or Rose-Ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) has now become a part of everyday life. Continue reading A strange sight, Parakeets make their home in German trees!

Osterbrunnen, decorated Easter fountain by P. Eckert

“Osterbrunnen”, the decorated Easter Fountains in Franconia

Decorating an “Osterbrunnen” is a German tradition of sprucing up public fountains with garlands and painted eggs for Easter. It began in the early 20th century in the Upper Franconia (Fränkische Schweiz) but also has spread to other regions. The decoration is usually kept from Good Friday until two weeks after Easter Continue reading “Osterbrunnen”, the decorated Easter Fountains in Franconia

Roman villa in Ahrweiler, Römervilla

An amazing archeological find turned out to be a Roman Villa

It was a rainy day in Germany, so a visit to a Museum came to mind. Only 45 minutes from where I was staying is Ahrweiler in the North of the Rhineland. There, in 1980, construction workers discovered the remains of an ancient building at the foot of the so called “Silberberg” Continue reading An amazing archeological find turned out to be a Roman Villa

Leonhardifahrt, South Bavaria

Leonhardifahrt, a horse and carriage procession in Bavaria

The famous Leonhardifahrt or Leonhardiritt in South Bavaria is a solemn pilgrimage of horses and cattle in early November to honor the patron St. Leonhard. The magnificently decorated four wheeled horse drawn carriages, lead by a coachmen, come from near and far in the early hours and ride the streets and alleys of Bavarian towns. Continue reading Leonhardifahrt, a horse and carriage procession in Bavaria

Tuebingen

Tübingen has a Rainbow Row

After a short stop in Ulm to take some pictures, I continued driving to Tübingen which is a University town in the center of Baden-Württemberg. It is located on the Neckar river, around 30 kilometers south of Stuttgart. Old town landmarks include the Rathaus (City Hall) at the Marktplatz (Market Square) and the castle, Schloß Hohentübingen, now part of the University of Tübingen Continue reading Tübingen has a Rainbow Row