Cable Car in Rüdesheim

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Seilbahn  Rüdesheim 

A highlight of any visit to Rüdesheim is the ride in a cable car up to the Germania (Niederwald) Monument. The awe-inspiring panoramic views over Rüdesheim's oldtown and the shimmering waters of the Rhine dotted with green isles make the smooth glide over the vineyards a very special experience.

Experience what the ride is like in this short video segment:




The entire visit took about an hour - 15 minutes each way by cable car and 30 minutes on top to go to the monument and take photos of the surrounding area.   The cost was not included in our excursion, it was 7,00 euro round-trip per person.

Niederwald Monument


The monument was constructed to commemorate the foundation of the German Empire (Unification of Germany) after the end of the Franco-Prussian War. It overlooks the valley of the Rhine and was built in the 1870/80s.

The central figure is the 10.5 metres (34 ft) tall Germania figure. In the sculptured impression, Germania holds the recovered crown of the emperor in the right hand and in the left the Imperial Sword.

Rhine & Moselle River Cruise (Play all videos)

Video Diary of Avalon Rhine & Moselle River Cruise on Artistry II. This was a 13 day river cruise that started in Zurich, Switzerland and concluded in Amsterdam, Netherlands. 

Additional photos can be found on our Rhine & Moselle Shutterfly page:

Rüdesheim - Cable Car

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Rüdesheimer Coffee Tasting

Rüdesheimer Schloss Hotel 

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Following our visit to Siegfried's Museum of Mechanical Instruments, we walked a short distance to the Rüdesheimer Schloss Hotel where tables were awaiting us in the courtyard. Avalon Artistry II crew had arranged for a special treat, tasting of a brandy-based coffee, known as Rüdesheimer coffee.

Rüdesheimer coffee didn’t come on the scene until 1957, when German TV chef Hans Karl Adam created a drink that combined Asbach brandy, coffee, sweetened whipped cream and dark-chocolate shavings. Flames are involved.

Making the Coffee

The brandy is poured in first and ignited, coffee is poured on top to put out the flames. A large amount of whipped cream is added and the chocolate shavings add the final touch. You have a treat that even my husband, who is not a coffee drinker, enjoyed.

 In 1892, Hugo Asbach started making a brandy here that he promised would rival the best French cognac. Over the years, Asbach brandy has won a slew of awards. It’s one of Germany’s most famous spirits.

We were entertained with live music during our visit as well. Owner,Heinrich Breuer, welcomed us and told us about the history behind the famous coffee. If you liked, you could purchase the complete coffee-making kit, including the mugs, to take home (several folks did).

Rhine & Moselle River Cruise (Play all videos)

Video Diary of Avalon Rhine & Moselle River Cruise on Artistry II. This was a 13 day river cruise that started in Zurich, Switzerland and concluded in Amsterdam, Netherlands. 

Additional photos can be found on our Rhine & Moselle Shutterfly page:

Rüdesheimer Coffee Tasting

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Self-Playing Musical Instrument Collection

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Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum in Rüdesheim

We sailed from Mainz, Germany at 5:00 AM arriving in Rüdesheim around 8:00 AM.  Following breakfast, we boarded the mini City Train for the short ride to Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum.  Our Cruise Director told us this would be one of our favorite excursions, and he was correct.

Self-Playing Instruments

The "Siegfried Mechanisches Musikkabinett" is the first museum collection in Germany dedicated to self-playing musical instruments. From delicate musical boxes to a gigantic piano-orchestration, there are approximately 350 automatic instruments exhibiting one of the largest and finest collections from the 18th to the 20th century. The museum also includes tools and machines for manufacturing barrel organs, cardboard music, piano rolls and musical box plates. 



A few of the highlights on the 45 minute guided include: 

• A snuff box with a musical songbird which was produced in the first half of the 19th Century by J. Bruguier in Geneva. When the mechanism is activated, it opens the oval lid and a tiny bird appears, moving its beak and flapping its wings. 
• Bernhard Dufner’s band of 27 automatic dolls, each one playing a different instrument. This is the largest Doll Automaton calliope that was ever built. 
• The Hupfeld phono Liszt Violina are amazing mechanical violins. Because these instruments musically and technically surpassed all expectations they have been described as the eighth wonder of the world.

Rhine & Moselle River Cruise Play all

Video Diary of Avalon Rhine & Moselle River Cruise on Artistry II. This was a 13 day river cruise that started in Zurich, Switzerland and concluded in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Additional photos can be found on our Rhine & Moselle Shutterfly page

Rudesheim - Siegfried's Museum

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Middle Rhine River - Loreley

An ancient legend of the Rhine

The Loreley is a 132m-high steep slate rock on the east bank of the river Rhine, near Sankt Goarshausen in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. It marks the narrowest part of the river between Switzerland and the North Sea, and is the most famous feature of the Rhine Gorge, a 65 km section of the river between Koblenz and Bingen that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in June 2002.

A very strong current and rocks below the waterline have caused many boat accidents there.

Lorelei is also the name of a feminine water spirit, similar to mermaids or Rhinemaidens, associated with this rock in popular folklore and in works of music, art and literature.

I cannot divine what it meaneth, This haunting nameless pain: A tale of the bygone ages Keeps brooding through my brain:	The faint air cools in the gloaming, And peaceful flows the Rhine, The thirsty summits are drinking The sunset's flooding wine;
The loveliest maiden is sitting High-throned in yon blue air, Her golden jewels are shining, She combs her golden hair;.	She combs with comb that is golden, And sings a weird refrain That steeps in a deadly enchantment The listener's ravished brain:
The doomed in his drifting shallop, Is tranced with the sad sweet tone, He sees not the yawing breakers, He sees but the maid alone:	The pitiless billwos engulf him!- So perish sailor and bark; And this, with her baleful singing, Is the Lorelei's gruesome work.

~ Translation by Mark Twain 1880 - A Tramp Abroad.

 
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Hurricane Ignacio Impacts Pride of America

Hurricane Ignacio

Hurricane Ignacio is the latest tropical cyclone in this busy 2015 eastern Pacific hurricane season to pose potential danger for the Hawaiian Islands. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) in Honolulu Hawaii predicts that Ignacio will still be a hurricane when it passes to the northeast of Hawaii in the next several days.

CPHC issuing advisories for the Central Pacific on IGNACIO

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

Full coverage of this, and all tropical storms, can be found on our Hurricane Zone page.   There are RSS feeds from the National Hurricane Center posted there giving you up to the minute information.   For storms that impact cruises, we will bring you information on those details as well.  Please bookmark that page for further reference during the Hurricane Season which runs now through November 30th.

HURRICANE IGNACIO	800 AM PDT SAT AUG 29 2015 ...JIMENA MOVING WESTWARD AS A POWERFUL CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE...
WIND:	near 150 mph (240 km/h) with higher gusts
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
SHIP IMPACT:	Due to Hurricane Ignacio in the Pacific, Pride of America's itinerary for the cruise departing on August 29 has been adjusted to call on Nawiliwili on Sunday where the ship will overnight, followed by Hilo on Wednesday, Kahului on Thursday where the ship will overnight and returning to Honolulu on Saturday. Monitor the following link for the latest updates: Norwegian: Weather Alert

 

Storm Archive       Graphics Archive  

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
somewhere within the warning area.  A warning is typically issued
36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of
tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside
preparations difficult or dangerous.  Preparations to protect life
and property should be rushed to completion.
 

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area.  A watch is typically issued 48 hours
before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force
winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or
dangerous.
     
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

None.

HISTORICAL NOTES

300 PM MDT WED AUG 26 2015

...ANOTHER TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS WELL WEST OF MEXICO...
...NO THREAT TO LAND...

800 AM PDT THU AUG 27 2015

...JIMENA STRENGTHENS A LITTLE...
...FORECAST TO BECOME A HURRICANE ON FRIDAY...


200 AM PDT FRI AUG 28 2015

...JIMENA BECOMES THE EIGHTH HURRICANE OF THE SEASON...

200 PM PDT FRI AUG 28 2015

...JIMENA NOW A CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE...

800 PM PDT FRI AUG 28 2015

...JIMENA BECOMES A MAJOR HURRICANE...
...EXPECTED TO BE NEAR CATEGORY 5 STRENGTH ON SATURDAY...

Erika Impacts Cruise Schedules

Other images: 5-Day track off – 3-Day track off 

Tropical Storm Erika

On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move over the Dominican Republic this afternoon, move near the Turks and Caicos Islands tonight, and move near the central and northwestern Bahamas Saturday and Saturday night. Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines have all been impacted by the tropical storm. Please click on the following links for updated information.

Carnival: Tropical Weather Update (Erika)
Norwegian: Weather Alert
Royal Caribbean: Tropical Weather Updates

NHC issuing advisories for the Atlantic on TS ERIKA
NHC issuing advisories for the Eastern Pacific on Hurricane JIMENA
CPHC issuing advisories for the Central Pacific on IGNACIO

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

Full coverage of this, and all tropical storms, can be found on our Hurricane Zone page.   There are RSS feeds from the National Hurricane Center posted there giving you up to the minute information.   For storms that impact cruises, we will bring you information on those details as well.  Please bookmark that page for further reference during the Hurricane Season which runs now through November 30th.

TS ERIKA	930 AM EDT SAT AUG 29 2015 ...ERIKA DEGENERATES TO A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE...   This is the last public advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center on this system. Additional information on this system will be available in Tropical Weather Outlooks issued by the National Hurricane Center, as well as marine forecasts and local forecast office products issued by the National Weather Service.
WIND:	near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts
WATCHES/ WARNINGS:	There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Interests in the Bahamas, eastern and central Cuba, and southern Florida should monitor the progress of the remnants of Erika.
SHIP IMPACT:	Carnival Conquest: The August 23 departure was forced to skip St. Maarten  and St. Kitts. It will instead spend two days in San Juan before calling  at Grand Turk and Nassau.   TROPICAL STORM ERIKA - Saturday 8/29 - 2:00 PM After the latest advisory, Tropical Storm Erika has dissipated in the Caribbean. While we will continue to keep a close eye on the track of the remnants of the storm,  we will be operating our originally scheduled itineraries for the following ships departing today: Carnival Breeze will resume its Eastern Caribbean course and Carnival Valor will call on Nassau. Carnival Fascination departing from Jacksonville will not be able to call on Half Moon Cay since the tenders were sent away from the island to be safeguarded and will not return in time for our call.  The ship will have an extended call in Nassau on Tuesday, September 1 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and then proceed to Freeport on Wednesday, September 2 from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Carnival Glory guests sailing from Miami should keep in mind terminal doors will close at 3:30PM and any guests arriving after this time will not be able to board. The ship will sail shortly thereafter.  Her itinerary remains as scheduled. Adventure of the Seas: Scheduled to have a sea day Thursday, August 28,  and visit St. Thomas on Friday, August 29, the ship will now visit  Curacao Thursday and move its sea day to Friday. Norwegian Getaway: Getaway's August 29 departure will now call at  Cozumel, Ocho Rios and Nassau. Norwegian Gem: Also departing August 29, Norwegian Gem will now dock  at Bermuda's Royal Naval Dockyard from Monday, August 31 through  Wednesday, September 2. Norwegian Sky: Norwegian Sky's August 28 sailing will call at Nassau  and Key West. Freedom of the Seas: Guests are asked to arrive to the ship between  11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The ship will now depart at 3:30 p.m. Independence of the Seas: Due to the current path of the storm,   will now depart Port Everglades at 3:00 p.m. Check in and boarding  will take place between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

        A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Storm Archive       Graphics Archive

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

RAINFALL: The remnants of Erika are expected to produce total
rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10
inches possible across portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti and
eastern and central Cuba through Sunday.  These rains could cause
life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. In addition, rainfall
amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected across the Turks and Caicos
Islands as well as the southeastern and central Bahamas through
Sunday.  Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches, with locally heavier
amounts, are possible across southern and central Florida beginning
on Sunday.

WIND: Gusts to tropical storm force are expected in squalls over
portions of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern
Bahamas for the next several hours.  These conditions are expected
to spread into the central Bahamas this afternoon and tonight.
Gusts to tropical storm force in squalls are also possible over
eastern Cuba today.  Gusty winds could occur over southern Florida
beginning on Sunday.

HISTORICAL NOTES

1100 PM AST MON AUG 24 2015

...TROPICAL STORM FORMS OVER THE CENTRAL TROPICAL ATLANTIC...

500 PM AST WED AUG 26 2015

...ERIKA EXPECTED TO MOVE THROUGH THE LEEWARD ISLANDS OVERNIGHT...

1100 AM AST FRI AUG 28 2015

...CENTER OF ERIKA NOW SOUTH OF THE EASTERN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC...
...TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF CUBA...

200 PM AST FRI AUG 28 2015

...ERIKA SPREADING HEAVY RAINS AND GUSTY WINDS INTO THE DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC... 

Spending Evening in Mainz

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Staying Overnight

Artistry II was docked in the central area from where it was a 15 minute easy stroll to the core of the city.   The ship remained docked there overnight. 

The evening program began with the usual Port Talk in the lounge at 6:30 PM, followed by dinner at 7:00 PM in the main dining room or 7:15 PM in the lounge for those signed up for the Bistro Dinner.

Main Dining

Each evening the menu was posted outside the main dining room.  As with ocean cruising, the waiter brings you a menu and then you pick  a starter, main entree, and dessert.

We looked forward to entering the dining room to see what folded napkin creation had been created by the crew.

As usual the dining room was open seating, which meant you could sit with the same people every night or find new table mates each time.  There were also various size tables to pick from.

Tonight's Menu

 Tonight's chef recommendations included Cocktail of Marinated Mango with Serrano Ham and Roast New Zealand Rack of Lamb.

Soups choices were a Clear Fish Soup or Cream of Vegetable Puree.  One of our favorite starters was the always available Caesar Salad.

The ice cream creations were always a good selection for dessert.

 Wine, Beer, Soft Drinks

We may not have mentioned this previously, but every night the chef paired regional wines and beers with the menu.   Tonight we had some regional German wines that were included.

Select beers and soft drinks were also included with dinner.  There were additional beers and after dinner drinks that could be purchased as well.

 Entertainment

Following dinner, entertainment was provided by Tom & Michael, two local musicians who performed upbeat tunes in the lounge.  If you were still hungry, there was the usual Late Night Snack at 10:30 PM.

A local hangout was just across from where our ship was docked.  You could listen to the music from the Sky Deck or join the party in person.

For those used to ocean cruising, think of the onboard entertainment like one of the lounge shows.  This is a much more intimate experience than the shows in the main theater of an ocean cruise ship.

 
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Late Afternoon Tour of Mainz

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Home of the Printed Word

After all passengers returned from the morning excursion to Heidelberg, the Artistry II set sail for Mainz, Germany.  The schedule allowed for up to 2.5 hours of individual touring of the city.

Possibilities included a stroll thru the old town center, a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, shopping, or our choice of visiting the Church of St. Stephen with its stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall.

Strolling Thru Mainz

On Our Own

Johannes Gutenberg was born in early 1400s in Mainz, Germany. He would borrow money to setup a print shop and produce a 42-line Latin Bible. The process of using movable type in a cheap and efficient manner would change the world. The Gutenberg Museum, in the heart of the old town center, has an original copy of the famous bible. The museum was only open until 5 PM so we had to skip visiting it in order to get to the church before it closed for the evening.

Marc Chagall Windows

The highlight of our visit to Mainz, was our visit to the Church of St. Stephen (Stephan) where we saw the gorgeous stained-glass windows of Marc Chagall. 

The Chagall choir windows in St. Stephan are unique in Germany. Between 1978 and his death in 1985, Russian Jewish artist Marc Chagall created nine stained-glass windows of scriptural figures in luminous blue. The figures depict scenes from the Old Testament. 

 Cathedral (Dom)

Mainz Cathedral or St. Martin's Cathedral is located near the historical center and market square of the city.  Since it was only about a 20 minute walk back to our ship, we had decided to make that our final stop on our self-guided walking tour.

This 1000-year-old Roman Catholic cathedral is predominantly Romanesque in style, but later exterior additions over many centuries have resulted in the appearance of various architectural influences seen today.

Mainz is a very easy city to explore on foot.  If you only have a limited amount of time for exploration, like we did, we'd suggest picking one or more of the attractions mentioned here.

 
^{Additional photos can be found on our Rhine & Moselle Shutterfly page:}

Mainz - On Our Own
Mainz - St. Stephan
Mainz - Cathedral


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How Suite It Is on Artistry II

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Staterooms on Avalon Aristry II

The Artistry II is one of Avalon Waterways Suite Ships®.

Avalon’s revolutionary Panorama Suites are the most unique accommodations in river cruising. Thirty percent larger than industry standard and featuring huge wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows, they're staterooms that feel like a balcony. Even the placement of the bed is distinct, so you won’t miss a single passing riverscape. Here is one of those moments we captured during our Rhine & Moselle cruise.

• Panorama Suite^SM is 200 sq. ft.
• Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window - 50% wider than industry standard
• Panoramic Window opens to create a large Open-Air Balcony®

Rooms With a View

 Our Panorama Suite was the last one on the port side, Cabin 326.   This was a great location for me in the morning because I could run to the Club Lounge for a cup of coffee.  You can hear the engine vibration when going thru locks or other maneuvers, but that wasn't disturbing.   If you have the window open, you can get some fuel smell depending on how the wind is blowing.

 Royal Suite - 300 sq. ft.

We had the opportunity to tour one of the two Royal Suites on Artistry II because it was not occupied during our cruise (due to a last-minute cancellation).

The Royal Suite was 50% larger than our stateroom. The major differences were the larger flat-screen TV, more sitting area, and the bathroom had a different configuration (including another sink which was separate from the shower).

Deluxe Stateroom - 172 sq. ft.

Even the standard staterooms on Artistry II are quite comfortable. When you compare that size cabin to most ocean cruise ships,  that is equal or greater than the average standard / deluxe staterooms. Missing from the Deluxe Stateroom are the sitting area and of course, the view.  During the Rhine cruise, there were times where we were sailing that you'd want to have a view (such as when passing the castles).   The Sky Deck or one of the lounges would provide the desired viewing area.

 
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Avalon Artistry II   

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Playing Hide & Seek with Artistry II

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Last Seen in Mannheim, Germany

When we awoke, Avalon Artistry II was about to stop in Mannheim, Germany for what is known as a "technical stop".  That means, it wasn't going to stay there long.  The only reason for stopping was so that the motor coaches could meet the ship and pickup passengers for the morning excursion.

After touring Heidelberg Castle and the Old Town itself, it was time to re-board the motor coaches and seek out our ship.

Gernsheim, Germany

Since we last left her, she had moved to a different location:  Gernsheim, Germany.   Once again, this was to be another "technical stop", this time to pick up passengers from the tours.

Just Passing Through

You may have noticed that passengers are re-boarding Avalon Artistry II using a Viking River Cruise ramp.  Much like the Old West,  river cruise ships often tie up to the nearest dock while making their way along the river.   This is all planned out in advance, however, so don't worry about having some other ship kick you out for parking in their spot.

Lunch Menu

Today's buffet lunch included two soups: Cream of Broccoli and Cold Wine; Roast Leg of Suckling Pig; Braised Leg of Lamb; Steam Filet of Red Mullet; and Fettuccini Pasta.

Of course, there were various salad and vegetable fixings as well.   You could also order off the menu if you didn't like any of the above.

 Sailing for Mainz

While we dined in the main dining room, the Artistry II set sail for Mainz, Germany which would be our over-night stop.   We'd arrive around 4 PM or so, in time to do some sightseeing at our leisure before the evening program started.

After lunch, our Cruise Director had a briefing for travel agents.  It was our opportunity to get any questions answered and learn more about Avalon Waterways.  We were able to tour one of the Royal Suite cabins as well (since there had been a last minute cancellation).

 
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Helidelberg Walking Tour

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 Heidelberg's Altstadt

Market Square (Marktplatz)

The next stop on our city tour was Marktplatz, the market place square in the heart of Heidelberg's Altstadt (Old Town). We had free time to explore at our leisure.


Beautiful attractions of Market Square include  the overall area, the Town Hall, the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Ritter facade (Hauptstraße 178) and the facade of the Old Pharmacy (Hauptstraße 190). You can sit and enjoy a coffee by the Hercules fountain or browse through the various shops.

Lindt Chocolate

We were fortunate to have clear blue skies as a background for our images of Old Town.   One couldn't have asked for a better day. 

After doing some shopping and photography in Market Square, we had enough time to walk along the Neckar River to the Old Bridge. From there it was a short walk along the narrow cobblestone streets back to the Tourist Center, which was where our motor coach would return to pick us up.

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Heidelberg - Old Town

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View from Heidelberg Castle

What a View !!

Click images to enlarge

Just as breath-taking as the castle is from the city, so too is the city from the castle. From either the Great Terrace or the gardens, one has an amazing view of Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the Neckar valley far into the Rhine plain. On a clear day, Mannheim is even visible on the horizon.



Church of the Holy Spirit

The most prominent building in the image above is the Church of the Holy Spirit which served two congregations (Protestant and Catholic) for a time and was the reason why the court removed to Mannheim.


 
Did you know that the Catholic steeple had a cross while the Protestant one had a rooster?



Neckar River

The Neckar is a 367-kilometre-long (228 mi) river in Germany, mainly flowing through the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg, with a short section through Hesse. The Neckar is a major right tributary of the River Rhine.

 
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Heidelberg - Castle Ruins

Heidelberg - Castle Courtyard

Heidelberg - Castle Barrel Building
Heidelberg - View from Castle

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Heidelberg Castle & Courtyard

Heidelberg Castle (Schloss Heidelberg)

Each year, Heidelberg Palace attracts around a million visitors from all over the world. Since the early 19th century, these impressive ruins have been synonymous with Romanticism.

Our ship docked in Mannheim, Germany to allow passengers to disembark for excursions.

click images to enlarge

City Tour + Castle Ruins


Our morning excursion took us to Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany, which was founded in 1386.   Here we visited the imposing ruins of HEIDELBERG CASTLE, towering magnificently over the city and among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps.


Elisabeth's Gate

The triumphal arch known as Elisabeth's Gate, is located near the entrance. Tradition says the gate was built in a single night by Prince Elector Friedrich V in 1615 as a birthday present for his English princess, Elisabeth Stuart.


The charming little gate was severely weather warn and was partly restored in 1949. The unique pillars are noteworthy with their leaf work and artistic flowered capitols.

Ottheinrich Building
  
The Ottheinrich Building in Heidelberg Palace counts as one of the most beautiful and earliest
palace buildings of the German Renaissance.

David, Hercules and Samson on the show façade of the Ottheinrich Building.

Ottheinrich Building

Figures on the Friedrich Building 

The ancestors of the palatine prince electors look down from the façade of Friedrichsbau. 

The façade of the Friedrich Building commands attention from the moment you enter the palace courtyard. It is richly decorated with figures. Commissioner of buildings Friedrich IV displays the perfect gallery of portraits from the royal line here and demonstrates his claim to power for all his contemporaries. Sculptor Sebastian Götz from Chur and master builder Johannes Schoch created the fantastic series of figures on the Friedrich Building in three to four years at the beginning of the 17th century.  More information about figures...

The Fassbau (Barrel Building)

We also saw the famed  Heidelberg Tun, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel.” At nearly 23 feet high and 28 feet wide, the cask holds about 58,000 gallons of wine and has a dance floor built on top of it! 

After visiting the wine barrel, we next spent some time on the Great Terrace.   We didn't have time to visit the interiors of any buildings or the gardens, so that will have to remain for a future visit.

Just as breath-taking as the castle is from the city, so too is the city from the castle. From either the Great Terrace or the gardens, one has an amazing view of Heidelberg, the Neckar River, and the Neckar valley far into the Rhine plain. On a clear day, Mannheim is even visible on the horizon.

The view from there was spectacular, so we'll cover that in a separate post.

 
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Heidelberg - Castle Ruins

Heidelberg - Castle Courtyard

Heidelberg - Castle Barrel Building

 

 

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