Another great breakfast of champions at Hotel Grille. In case you're wondering... yes. Yes, you will get more food pictures throughout this blog. I wish I could share the smell of coffee and sausages. The food has been delicious!
This morning it was off to FAU again to explore the university further. Marcella and Siri were able to ask questions at the student center and get further information. It is a beautiful campus with fabulous educational opportunities. I'm curious to see how the future will play out!
Michelle graduated from FAU which made her the perfect tour guide. She guided us through the library and by a variety of campus buildings and student hangouts.
For more information... https://www.fau.eu/
After exploring uni we hopped on the train to Nürnberg. We were excited to explore the old town, see a castle, and enjoy time with Michelle and Sven-Christian. The public transportation in this area is fabulous. Between walking, buses, trams, and trains people have access to most of the area. As long as you know which platform you are supposed to be on... you're good to go. Siri may or may not continue to be bitter about some misinformation and a missed train.
Traveling via train you see an entirely different perspective of the countryside than you do by car. The old buildings, farmland, and landscape seem light pictures from a storybook at times. The merge of historical structures and new construction create a patchwork of architectural history. Cottages at the edge of vineyards pique the imagination. My eyes continued to peer into the horizon soaking in all of the new, different, and interesting sights.
We arrived at the gates to the old town of Nürnberg. The weight of the history that these stones and mortar have witnessed bears significant gravity. The first documentation of the city dates back to 1050 CE.
Completion of the old city wall and armory were completed in 1456. They surrounded this center of trade and business for centuries. During WWII the city was bombed and much of the old town was leveled. Over time it has been restored by putting the puzzle pieces of original material back together.
Walking through the cobblestoned city, surrounded by buildings of stone, stirs up a curiosity of what life may have been like in this place. I felt the questions pass through my mind. What was it like to live in this place during all the changes it has seen? Through the Black Plague? During the reformation? In the midst of WWII? As the Renaissance unfolded?
If you, too, are a church nerd... this section is for you.
If not, keep scrolling there is more on Nürnberg outside of St. Lorenz Church.
The main entrance has ornate carvings of angels and saints. As soon as you focus your eyes on one aspect of the details you suddenly find something else interesting. Beautifully carved and constructed.
The inside is also adorned with many carvings and other pieces of artwork. It is overwhelming to take it all in. This building continues to hold regular worship services as well as host special church festivals.
Even though tourists were walking all around the building stayed quiet. A few areas provided the opportunity to contemplate and pray. The candles provided a soft glow among the hard stone architecture. I couldn't help but think about the centuries of prayers that have been lifted in this space and the generations of people that have gathered here for worship.
A view from the back of the church looking toward the altar area shows the massive scale of this building. The red banners have been placed there for the extended celebration of Pentecost. I know that I would be leery of being part of their altar guild and changing the banners at the top of the arched ceiling!
The pulpit has ornate carved stone figures of the Gospel writers. The attention to every little detail is impressive. It seems like every piece of stone was carefully inspected for quality, strength, and beauty.
Groundbreaking for the construction of Saint Lorenz Lutheran Church took place in 1250 C.E. It was not completed until 1477 C.E. After WWII the buildings, including St. Lorenz, were left in desperate need of repair and rebuilding. There are 3 different organs that provide music. We happened to be in the church while one of them was being tuned. I admire the person willing to tune it. I think I heard there are over 1300 pipes between the three organs.
The round window in the back of the church serves as a symbol for Nürnberg.
Such a beautiful thought... the number of people who have been baptized in this font.
We went in search of food. Kåre wanted crepes. Uncle Sven thought she said grapes.
All were confused for a bit, but it worked out!
We also found a Lindt Chocolate store.
The building over the water is the Heilig-Geist-Spital, Holy Spirit Hospital.
It was built in 1339 to care for the ill, the elderly, and people in poverty.
The cobblestone streets are quaint. Almost like they are from a storybook. These old buildings have been remodeled on the inside and house very modern businesses and shops. Yet the outsides seem to simultaneously take you back in time. As we strolled through the streets we peeked into an art gallery. A little ice cream shop called to us and of course we had to try some.
Bridges of various kinds criss-crossed the river running through Nürnberg. The scalloped shingles were dotted with green moss. Some bridges were completely enclosed and connected buildings together over the water, others stood on heavy stone foundational pillars.
Most of our group climbed up to the Nürnberg Castle. The view of the old city gave a different perspective to the winding streets, cathedral spires, and red brown roofs.
After a full day of walking, learning, and enjoying time together we took the train back to Erlangen.
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What a beautiful church! It would be amazing to sing there!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us along on this beautiful journey.
ReplyDelete