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I flew into Frankfurt and took the InterCityExpress (ICE) train to Freiburg (there is a train station at the airport - how convenient is that?). Comfortable, convenient, and fast (we hit a top speed of 154 mph). |
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I arrived in Freiburg (a city of about 200,000) situated in the Black Forest and
ventured into the "old city" part. This area is filled with shops and restaurants and
cars are not allowed. Note the little gutter filled with water. These were once used to
provide water to fight fires and feed livestock and are constantly flowing with water
diverted from the Dreisam river.
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Here is a larger gutter in the "old city." |
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Another common scene in the "old city" is street performers. These two were creating
massive soap bubbles.
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Freiburg city hall - classic German architecture. |
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Historical Merchants Hall is on the south side of Freiburg's Munsterplatz. Constructed
between 1520 and 1530, it was once the center of the financial life of the region.
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Like many medieval cities, Freiburg was once protected by a wall and gates. Here is one gate (and no, McDonalds is not now the city's guardian). |
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One of the things the city is known for is its medieval cathedral, the "Freiburg
Minster." The building was started around 1200 and completed in 1330. It is the only
Gothic church tower in Germany built in the Middle Ages. It even survived the bombing
raids of November 1944.
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A side view of the "Freiburg Minster". |
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The "Freiburg Minster" doesn't look that big until you go inside. Then "wow" it becomes
apparent how much of an undertaking this must have been 700 years ago.
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You can climb to the top of the spire (381 feet) and get a great view of the square. |
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Here is a view of the city from the spire.
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Here is another view. |
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Looking down from the spire.
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While climbing down from the spire top, I noticed this bit of graffiti. Note that date. |
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Since I arrived a day early, I decided to venture out into the Black Forest. I heard of
a tram (cable car) outside of town that was supposed to be a good way to see the forest.
So, I ventured out by first taking a trolley from the "old city" to the edge of town
followed by a bus to some little town where the cable car was located.
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This is apparently the longest cable car in Germany and it takes about 20 minutes to get to the top. |
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Once at the top, one can hike to the hilltop and take in the view. It was worth it.
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The village near the cable car station (looking down from hilltop). |
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While hiking along the hill top I found this BIG snail/slug. The coin is a euro (about
the size of a quarter).
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After the conference I traveled back (via ICE train) to Frankfurt for a meeting with researchers at DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (the folks who operate air traffic control in Germany). After our meeting, I ventured into Frankfurt. Here is the city center. |
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Frankfurt proper has less than 1 million people, but it is the financial center of
Germany. I was told that the river front (Main River) was a good place to tour. Here it
is.
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A tour boat on the river. |
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I also found this beer festival along the river. Who would have thought? A beer festival
in Germany? Anyway, I did stop. When in Rome...
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While traveling by train (subway) in Frankfurt, I saw many of these little houses. Not shacks though; rather nicely decorated and well kept. Of course most people live in apartments in the built-up areas. |
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I saw this sign in a toilet. I always thought Germans were smart. Now I am not so sure.
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