GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS - DECEMBER 2025

I had to wonderful opportunity to go to Germany to visit Christmas Markets; Castles; Cathedrals, etc with Mike and Sara Streff.  The Streffs lived in Germany when in the service and have since gone back quite often in December for the Christmas Markets.   Mike  and Sara were the BEST guides and had the entire trip planned out with great detail!!

 

  

 

  December 2, 2025

 

Flew from Roanoke to Washington Dulles and overnight to Munich

in my little United Polaris Sleep cubby for the overnight flight. 

 December 3, 2025

 

Arrived In Munich Germany.   There were 6 of us on the trip:  

Mike and Sara Streff (Our wonderful tour guides)

Kurt Kaufman; Jill and Tom Walton and myself.

Left to right:  Sara, Mike, Jill, Tom and Kurt

 

Below are pictures from  Marienplatz (Mary's Square) in the center square in the center of Munich.      The center square was an overwhelming plethora of Christmas Markets (at least for me who has never experienced Christmas Markets and being a bit jet lagged made it more overwhelming that first day)

 

                                                                 The New Town Hall

The minimal damages to the New Town Hall that occurred during the air raids on Munich 1944, were rebuilt after the war. The portion constructed at the Marienplatz received an additional floor, which were hidden behind the neo-Gothic balustrade so that the building's image was preserved.  At the end of the 1990s, the New Town Hall was rebuilt and reconstructed identically, including the neo-Gothic ornaments, which crown the roof. 

The Rathaus-Glockenspiel is a large mechanical clock located below the clock tower. 

 

The clock, with 43 bells and 32 life-size figures, was added during the completion of the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) in 1908.   Every day at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.  the clock re-enacts two stories from Munich’s history from the 16th century, taking about 15 minutes.

The top half of the Glockenspiel tells the story of the marriage of the local Duke Wilhelm V  to Renata of Lorraine . In honor of the happy couple, there is a joust with life-sized knights on horseback representing Bavaria (in white and blue) and Lothringen (in red and white); the Bavarian knight  wins.

This is followed by the second story, the Schäfflertanz otherwise known as the coopers' dance, which plays out on the bottom half of the clock. This story depicts the end of a severe plague that took place in 1517.  The coopers are said to have danced through the streets, encouraging residents to leave their homes again after being frightened by the plague.  The coopers remained loyal to the duke, and their dance came to symbolize perseverance and loyalty to authority through difficult times. By tradition, the dance is performed in Munich every seven years. 

At the very end of the show, a very small golden rooster at the top of the Glockenspiel chirps quietly three times, marking the end of the spectacle.

Below is a sample of some beautiful Architecture in Munich 
 

We had a traditional German meal (and beer of course) at The Hofbrauhause am Platzl.  This is a beer hall in Munich, Bavaria, Germany originally built in 1589 by Bavarian Duke Maximilian I. 

 

Late afternoon we got in the van and headed to Garmish.   We checked into the Hyperion Hotel Garmish that was our base camp for 3 nights.

December 4, 2025

 Schwangau

 Up bright and early we drove through Austria and back into Germany to the municipality of Schwangau which lies at an elevation of 2,620 ft at the southwest border of the German state of Bavaria. Here was the only place we saw snow on this trip.  It was a rare warm spell when we were in Germany.

Neuschwanstein Castle was King Ludwig II's fairytale  castle at the foothills of the Alps.  Ludwig (also known as "Mad King Ludwig") felt the need to escape from the constraints he saw himself in and the confinement he felt himself exposed to in Munich and commissioned this castle on the remote northern edges of the Alps as a retreat but also in honor of composer Richard Wagner,whom he greatly admired.

 

Ludwig spent all his own private royal revenues (although not state funds as is commonly thought) on building the castle, borrowed extensively, and defied all attempts by his ministers to restrain him. This extravagance was used against him to declare him insane, a determination that is now questioned.

Construction began in 1869 but was never completed.  It was intended to serve as a private residence for the king but he died in 1886, and it was opened to the public shortly after his death.

 

 Views from the Castle

Next we toured Schloss Hohenschwangau which is a 19th-century palace built by King Maximilian II of Bavaria, and was the childhood residence of his son, King Ludwig II.  

Above picture is of Schloss Hohenschwangau taken from Neuschwanstein Castle.

The fortress Schwangau (literally translated the Swan District), which was first mentioned in historical records dating from the 12th century, stood high up on a rock on the site of the present 19th-centuryof Neuschwanstein Castle.  

Hohenschwangau was the official summer and hunting residence of Maximilian, his wife Marie of Prussia and their 2 sons, Ludwig (later King Ludwig II) and Otto (later King Otto I of Bavaria)

The young princes spent many years of their adolescence here. Queen Marie who loved to hike in the mountains and she created an alpine garden with plants gathered from all over the alps. The King and the Queen lived in the main building, and the boys in the annex. 

 

King Maximilian died in 1864 and his son Ludwig succeeded to the throne, moving into his father's room in the castle. As Ludwig never married, his mother Marie was able to continue living on her floor during the summer months. King Ludwig enjoyed living in Hohenschwangau, however mostly in the absence of his disliked mother, especially after 1869 when the building of his own castle began.

Neuschwanstein Castle in background.  Picture taken from Schloss Hohenschwangau.

Back on the road again to Oberammergau, a beautiful town in the foothills of the Alps.  It is known for its 380 year history of holding the Passion Play, first preformed in1634. According to local legend, the play is performed every ten years because of a vow made by the inhabitants of the village that if God spared them from the effects of the bubonic plaque that was sweeping the 1634 they would keep the memory by preforming the Passion Play. 

 The village is known as the home of a long tradition of woodcarving; the Bavarian State Woodcarving School is located there. 

This church, that was built in 1746, was a magnificent surprise inside to be in such a quaint small village.

 

December 5, 2025

 

Innsbruck, Austria

This tree made of Swarovski Crystals was at the Christmas market in Old Town Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and the fifth-largest city in Austria.  The old style Christmas Markets has transformed into one of the most attractive Christmas markets in the world.  We visited 3 different markets in Innsbruck.

 

Below is a beautiful Cathedral in Innsbruck

 

On the way back to Garmisch we stopped in the cute village of Seefeld, Austria.

Seefeld is an old farming village that is now a major tourist and ski resort.

 

We got to see "St. Nicholas" in Seefeld
 

Saint Nicholas Day, also called the Feast of Saint Nicholas, is observed on 6 December (or on its eve on 5 December) in Germany.

 

December 6, 2025

 

Regensburg, Germany 

 

Regensburg is one of Germany's oldest towns, founded by the Romans in 179 AD.  It is located on the northernmost point of the river Danube.

Despite repeated bombings in WW II,   Regensburg sustained little damage, and most of the city’s  Medieval buildings survived.

 

The cathedral of St. Peter (1275–1524) is one of the most important Gothic churches in Bavaria, with 14th-century stained-glass windows and two Romanesque chapels in the adjoining cloisters; its Boys’ Choir (Regensburger Domspatzen) is well known. 

 

Regensburg was where I first noticed these plaques known as Stolperstein (meaning Stumbling Blocks in English).  They are ten-centimeter (four-inch) concrete cube bearing a brass plate inscribed with the names and life dates of victims of  Nazi extermination or persecution.  The Stolpersteine project, initiated by the German artist Gunter Demnig  in 1992, aims to commemorate persons at the last place that they chose freely to reside, work or studied. As of June 2023, 100,000^[ Stolpersteine have been laid, making the Stolpersteine project the world's largest decentralized memorial.                                                                                                                                        In Regenburg

                                                                    

                                                                              Heidelberg

 

From Neupfarrplatz (New Parrish Square), Regensburg we walked to Schloss Thurn and Taxis Castle and my favorite Christmas Market on this trip.  It is a rustic, old style Christmas Market on the grounds of the castle.  

                                    

 This Christmas Market surrounds the Castle is still occupied with the family of Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis. 

Princess Mariae Gloria was born in Stuttgart on 23 February 1960 as the younger daughter of Count Joachim von Schönburg-Glauchau and Countess Beatrix, née Countess Szechenyi von Sarvar und Felsövidek. She spent many years of her childhood in Africa. On 31 May 1980, she married Johannes Baptista, Prince of Thurn und Taxis in Regensburg. The couple had three children: Princess Maria Theresia (born 1980), Princess Elisabeth (born 1982) and Prince Albert (born 1983).

Princess Gloria has been the head of the Princely House since the death of her husband in 1990. The Thurn und Taxis group of companies was restructured and became significantly more profitable under her leadership. This enabled her to continue some of the main concerns, namely preserving and maintaining the extensive cultural heritage as well as cultural and social commitment, including free food for the needy in the soup kitchen and financial support for students of the liberal arts.

Another aim of her work is to make St Emmeram Palace in Regensburg and its several hundred rooms accessible to a wider audience and to generate fresh sources of income for the palace as a means of ensuring its ongoing maintenance. For instance, the Princely Museums (the Medieval Cloister, the State Rooms of the Palace and the Stables with its collection of carriages) occupy a special place among the German museums. The majestic palace rooms, the riding hall and the refectory also provide a magnificent setting for a wide variety of events such as conferences, large functions, exhibitions and concerts.

                                      

In the 15th century, Franz von Taxis (1459–1517) assured his place in history by setting up the first European postal system, which remained a monopoly until the 19th century. In recognition of his services, the family was given the former Benedictine monastery, St Emmeram, henceforth known as Schloss Thurn und Taxis. It was soon one of the most modern palaces in Europe and featured such luxuries as flushing toilets. Today it is the world's largest inhabited building.

The palace complex also contains the Schatzkammer (Treasury). The jewellery, porcelain and precious furnishings on display belonged, for many years, to the wealthiest dynasty in Germany. The fortune, administered by Prince Albert II, is still estimated at well over €1 billion.

                                                             In the courtyard of the castle

Besides the Gluhwein and beer there were so many amazing delicacies in these Christmas Markets.

                                                          The end to another amazing day

                 From here we drove to Nuremberg, where we would be staying for the next 4 nights.

 

                                                                   December 7, 2025 

                                                                           Wurzburg

Up early yet again for the drive from Nuremberg to Wurzburg - and what an exciting day it was!!!  We were meeting up with Katha Gatzemeier and Marie Henning-Schultz (sisters who were our family's exchange students in 1998 and 1999).  I had not seen Katha and Maria for over 20 years and I was so excited they could make the 2 train rides to meet up with me in Wurzburg!!  It was certainly the highlight of this trip to Germany for me!!!!

                                                                Katha, Me and Maria!

                                                Maria, Me and Katha In Wurzburg Residence
 

We also met up with Kurt's relatives, the Meder family, that live close to Wurzburg.  After all getting together we toured Wurzburg Residence.  The Wurzburg Residence is a palace that was commissioned by Johann Phillipp Franz von Schonborn, (Prince-Bishop of Wurzburg), in 1720 and was completed in 1744.  

                               At the top of the Grand Staircase which ascended both sides of a great hall.   

 

In the corner is how they used to heat the rooms.  The back side of the porcelain heater had a door where servants would crawl though a passage way to feed the fire so as not to be seen by to people living in the palaces.  

 

As a result of a devastating raid by British air raid on March 16, 1945, the residence was almost completely burnt out and only the central building with the Vestibule, Garden Hall, Staircase, White Hall and Imperial Hall survived the inferno, their roofs destroyed. From the attic the fire ate down through wooden ceilings and floors, and all the furnishings and wall paneling which had not been stored elsewhere were devoured by the flames. 

 

 From 1945 to 1987, the building and its interiors were reconstructed to their current state. The rebuilding cost about €20m.  In 1981 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Then we walked to Wurzburg Christmas Market.  I cannot describe how fun it was to tour around with Katha and Maria!!!

These German Christmas Pyramids were the center piece of  most of the Christmas Markets.  I just wish I would have had room to bring one home from myself from Kathe Wohlfahrt (More on that amazing store later)

The entire group in Würzburg with all Kurt’s relatives!!

In the background is the Marienberg Fortress.  It is a prominent landmark in Wurzburg on the left bank of the Main River.  It is a symbol of Würzburg and served as a home of the local Prince-Bishops for nearly five centuries. It has been a fort since ancient times.  

The Meder family own multiple funeral businesses.  Here is a picture of their newest location in Wurtzburg with Urn display.

                                                    Fiona in her new bridal gown business.

                                                      Sebastian tapping this yummy beer!

                                                   Mike, Kurt, Tom and Sebastian - PROST!

                                       Isabella, Valentine, Sebastian, Kurt, Josef, and Gundrun.

The Meder family were so welcoming to us all.  We had lunch at Julie's apartment in Wurzburg, cakes at Fiona and Sebastian's home in Bad Kissingen an amazing dinner at Josef and Gudrun Meder's home in Nuedlingen.  

                                                                December 8, 2025 

                                                               Bamberg, Germany 

We took the train from Nuremburg to Bamberg.  Bamberg is on the canal that connects the Rhine River and the North Sea / Atlantic Ocean to the Danube River and the Black Sea.  It is built on seven hills (like Rome), with a church on each hill.  Mike and Sara were married on their way to Mike's army tour in Bamberg from 1984 - 1987.  Their first son, Steven was born in Nuremberg when Streffs were stationed in Bamberg.

  Cited as one of Germany's most beautiful towns, with medieval streets and buildings, the old town of Bamberg with around 2,400 timber houses has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

During the WW II Bamberg was hit a total of nine times by Allied warplanes between 1944 and 1945. While Bamberg was not attacked as badly as nearby Nuremberg, 4.4% of the city ended up being destroyed and 378 civilians died. The biggest and deadliest bombing run happened on 22 February 1945.

 

                                                                     Bamberg Cathedral

 

 Bamberg Cathedral (Official name: Bamberg Dom St. Peter und St. George) was completed in the 13th century.  It is under the administration of the Archdiocese of Bamberg.  It was founded in 1002 by King (and later Emperor) Heinrich II and consecrated in 1012.  With the tombs of Henry II and his wife, and his wife Gisela of Burgundy, the cathedral contains the remains of the only imperial couple that were canonized.

 

Below behind the chair is the tomb of Pope Clement II (1005-1047) the only papal grave in Germany

                                                The grounds in the Cathedral courtyard / Old Court

Below we toured the "New Residence".  The New Residence is located diagonally opposite to the Cathedral of Bamberg, and is the newest building on Bamberg Cathedral Square. It was used as a residence by the Bamberg prince-bishops from the 17th century and replaced the Old Court in its original function 

Another example of the porcelain heating systems used.  Below is the door to the passage way for the servants to feed the fire from the back so they would be unseen.

 

 The courtyard of The New Residence - being winter the garden was dormmant but it looked like it would be a beautiful rose garden in spring and summer.

                                                                       Altes Rathaus

Located in the heart of the picturesque city of Bamberg, Germany, Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) is a remarkable piece of architecture that tells a tale as unique as its design. This iconic building is seemingly floating on water with its foundations firmly set in the middle of Regnitz River.
 

                                                Do you see the leg coming out of the building and a cherub??

                                                        A barge coming through the locks

                                                                   Locks on the Locks

 

In Bamberg we met up with Mike and Sara's old Army buddies that were stationed in Bamberg together - Bob and Ginny Domenici and Steve Dykes.  We all ate together at Schlenkeria, a historic brewpub. 

                                                                 December 9, 2025

                                                                      Nuremberg 

                        In the morning we toured Kaiserburg - The Imperial Castle of Nuremberg.  

Nuremberg Castle (German: Nürnberger Burg) is a group of medieval fortified buildings on a sandstone ridge dominating the historical center of Nuremberg in Bavaria, Germany.
The castle, together with the city walls, is considered to be one of Europe's most formidable medieval fortifications. It represented the power and importance of the Holy Roman Empire and the outstanding role of the Imperial City of Nuremberg.

In the Middle Ages, German kings (respectively Holy Roman Emperors after their coronation by the Pope) did not have a capital, but voyaged from one of their castles (Kaiserpfalz or Imperial castle) to the next. Thus, the castle at Nürnberg became an important imperial castle, and in the following centuries,  German kings and emperors stayed at the castle,most of them on several occasions.

Nuremberg Castle comprises three sections: the Imperial castle (Kaiserburg), the former Burgraves' castle
(Burggrafenburg), and the buildings erected by the Imperial City at the eastern site (Reichsstädtische Bauten).

The first fortified buildings appear to have been erected around 1000. Thereafter, three major construction periods may be distinguished:

    • the castle built under the Salian kings respectively Holy Roman Emperors (1027–1125);
    • a new castle built under the Hohenstaufen emperors (1138–1254);
    • reconstruction of the Palas as well as various modifications and additions in the late medieval                      centuries.

The castle lost its importance after the Thirty Years' War (1618 to 1648). In the 19th century with its general interest in the medieval period, some modifications were added. During the Nazi period, in preparation of the Nuremberg party rally in1936, it was "returned to its original state." A few years later, during World War II and its air raids in 1944/1945, a large part of the castle was laid in ruins. It took some thirty years to complete the rebuilding and restoration to its present state.

The Upper Chapel

                                                       View of Nuremberg from the Castle:

                                                 Entering the Christmas Market in Nuremberg 

Christkindlesmarkt translated:  "Christ Child Market"  The Nuremberg Christkind, or Christ Child, a young woman dressed in white and gold with curly blond hair, a tall golden crown and angel-wing-like long golden sleeves, is an important part of the market.  Initially impersonated by an actress, since 1969 the Christkind has been elected every second year among local girls between the ages of 16 - 19. 

                                                             Lunch at Bratwurst Roslein:

                                                       Mike, Sara, Jill, Jenny, Tom and Kurt

 The Frauenkirche ("Church of Our Lady") is a church in Nuremberg, Germany. It stands on the eastern side of the main market. An example of brick Gothic architecture, it was built on the initiative of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor between 1352 and 1362. The church contains many sculptures, some of them heavily restored. Numerous works of art from the Middle Ages are kept in the church.

The church was almost completely destroyed in the Second World War in the bombing of Nuremberg with only the nave walls and facade remaining.  This damage was repaired by 1953.  There was a more extensive restoration between 1989-1991. Since 1948, the balcony of the church, below the Männleinlaufen, has been used for the opening ceremony of the Christkindlesmarkt.

 

St. Sebaldus Church (is a medieval church in Nuremberg, Germany.  Along with Frauenkirche (Our Lady's Church) and St. Lorenz, it is one of the most important churches of the city, and also one of the oldest. It takes its name from Sebaldus, an 8th-century hermit and missionary and patron saint of Nuremberg.  It has been a Lutheran parish church since the Reformation.

The Construction began in 1225. The church achieved parish church status in 1255 and was
completed by 1273–75. It was originally built as a Romanesque basilica with two choirs. The two
towers were added in the 15th century. In the middle 17th century galleries were added and the interior
was remodeled in the Baroque fashion.

The church suffered serious damage during World War II and was subsequently restored. Some of the
old interior undamaged includes the Shrine of St. Sebaldus, works by Veit Stoss and the stained glass windows. In the church the famous epitaph of the Tucher family can be found.

                                                       Nuremberg  Christmas Market at night:

 

                                                          Kurt, Mike, Jenny, Sara, Jill, Tom

 

                                                               December 10, 2025 

                                                             Rothenberg ob der Tauber 

                                                          What an adorable, quaint wall city! 

 
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a town in the district of Ansbach of Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia), the
Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany.   It is well known for its well-preserved medieval old town, a destination for tourists from around the world. It is part of the popular Romantic Road through southern Germany. Today it is one of only four towns in Germany that still have completely intact city walls, the other three being Nördlingen, Dinkelsbühl and Berching, all in Bavaria.  Rothenburg was a free imperial city (German: Reichsstadt) from the late Middle Ages to 1803.

 The name "Rothenburg ob der Tauber" is German for "Red castle above the Tauber", describing the town's location on a plateau overlooking the Tauber River. 

Käthe-Wohlfahrt !!!!  Sara has been talking non stop about these stores every time we talked about going to Germany - but I never really grasped how amazing they were until I got to shop in them!!  The first Käthe-Wohlfahrt's Christkindlmarkt was opened in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in 1977.  They have 2 stores in Rothenburg with one of them being an incredible museum of their wares.  

The firm has a chain of shops in Nuremberg, Bamberg, Oberammergau, Berlin, Heidelberg, and Rüdesheim am Rhein. In addition there are branches in Riquewihr in France, in Bruges in Belgium, in Barcelona in Spain, on Stonegate in York in the United Kingdom, and in Stillwater, Minnesota, United States. It also runs stalls at Christmas markets.  If you ever get the opportunity to shop in one of these stores DO IT!!
 

Sara and Jenny - and this was just the beginning of what all we bought!!  Although I think Kurt beat us all with purchases!!!

               Above is a picture from the Käthe-Wohlfahrt museum store.  It is huge with multiple stories!!

Most of the stores had these adorable hanging signs that had a theme that went with what the store sold
 

                                                             Door handle on a shop

                                 Besides the Christmas Market, then entire village is Christmas!!

                                            Above is one of the most picturesque sites in the village.

                          All the shops here were so intriguing and inviting with individual flare!!

                                     It was a very magical Village!! My favorite village on the trip!

                        Good Bye Rothenburg ob der Tauber.  I hope to come back to you some day!!!

 We drove from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to our new hotel that was more like an adorable guest house in Boblingen.  Hotel Zum Reussenstein in Boblingen was outside of Stuttgart in a cute little town.

This cute beer  porcelain jug was waiting for us when we arrived and was out every evening for our enjoyment!

                                                                 December 11, 2023

                                                                  Strasbourg, France 

            We drove to Kehl, Germany to take the train across the border to Strasbourg, France.  

 France’s “Capitol of Christmas”, Strasbourg, does not disappoint when it comes to Christmas Markets.  Strasbourg is the capitol of France’s charming Alsace region.  What makes Strasbourg at Christmastime even more special is the fact that the Christmas market here dates back to 1570, making it the oldest market in France!

We visited three areas with markets:  

Christkindelsmarik (Place Boglie):  The oldest and most traditional market dating back to 1570

Place Kleber:  Home to the giant 30-meter-tall Christmas tree, one of the city's central attractions

Strasbourg Cathedral Market (Place de la Cathedrale):  Features traditional chalets with gifts of food, surrounded by charming streets.

                                                                       Place Kleber

                                                       I loved the roof tops of these houses below

 Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, or Cathédrale de Strasbourg)

 

 Standing in the center of the Place de la Cathédrale, at 142 meters (466 feet), Strasbourg Cathedral was the worlds tallest building from 1647 to 1874 (227 years), when it was surpassed by St. Nikolai's Church, Hamburg. Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the tallest extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages   

                                              The following are pictures inside the Cathedral 

A Renaissance masterpiece, the Astronomical Clock is a result of the combined work of artists, mathematicians and technicians. Swiss clock makers, sculptors, painters and automaton designers all worked together to produce this superb attraction. The current mechanism dates from 1842.

The main attraction of the clock is its animated figures which come out to delight the public every day at half past noon. During this performance, visitors are treated to views of the different ages of life, personified by a child, a teenager, an adult and an old man, who all parade past Death. Higher up, the apostles have their own parade before Christ. Their journey is accompanied by the beating of wings and the sound of a large cock crowing. In front of the Clock visitors can admire the huge Pillar of Angels which offers a highly original representation of the Last Judgment.  Unfortunately I was not in the cathedral to see this.

          The narthex of the cathedral and massive pillars supporting the tower, seen from the central nave
 

 

                        Interesting architecture around the Christmas Markets and along the River Rhine:

The decorations on the buildings all around the Christmas Markets were the best we saw on our trip.  Most of the shops really had amazing decorations on their buildings.

 

This was the biggest and most crowded place we visited.  There was a heavy police presence all around these markets,  but it felt very safe to me.

                                         

                                             Good Bye Strasbourg, France - another amazing day!

                                                                 December 12, 2025

                                                                Heidelberg, Germany

Heidelberg is a beautiful city that lies on the canalized Neckar River where it emerges from the forested hills of Oldenwald into the Rhine plain.   It was first mentioned in 1196 and was the capital of the Rhenish Palatinate (Pfalz) and the residence of the electoral counts palatine until 1720. It was devastated in 1622 during the Thirty Years War and almost completely destroyed by the French in 1689 and 1693, so most of its important buildings are in the Baroque architectural style (which prevailed until the late 18th century) rather than Gothic mediveal.   It passed to Baden in 1802 and experienced considerable growth in the 20th century.

The University of Heidelberg, (Ruprecht-Karl-Universität), the oldest higher educational institution in Germany, was founded by Rupert I and chartered by Pope Urban VI in 1386.  Its Geological-Paleontological Institute houses the Heidelberg Jaw, a fossil jawbone, probably 500,000 years old, that was found in the vicinity in 1907.

 
 
 Heidelberg Castle (German: Heidelberger Schloss) is a ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. 

 The earliest castle structure was built before 1214 and later expanded into two castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning bolt caused a fire which destroyed some rebuilt sections. 

                                               Views of Heidelberg from the castle were amazing!

Jill, Tom, Mike, Jenny and Kurt at the castle.  Poor Sara was sorely missed as she was not feeling well this day

 

 

                                                                       In the courtyard        

                                                    

                         Very interesting Sundial on top of one of the buildings of the Heidelberg Castle.

 In a cellar under the Heidelberg Castle sits a gigantic wooden keg. It’s the world’s largest wine barrel with an astounding capacity of 219,000 liters—although back in the 18th century, when it was built, the Heidelberg Tun was slightly larger. Sitting empty all these centuries, the oak had dried and shrank reducing the barrel’s capacity by some 2,700 liters. 

 

 

The Karl Theodor Bridge (German: Karl-Theodor-Brücke), commonly known as the Old Bridge (Alte Brücke), is an arch bridge in Heidelberg that crosses the Neckar river. It connects the Old City with the eastern part of the Neuenheim district of the city on the opposite bank. 

The Church of the Holy Spirit -Heiliggeistkirche is the largest church in Heidelberg, Germany. The church, located in the marketplace in the old town center, was constructed between 1398 and 1515
in the Romanesque and Gothic styles. It receives 1–3 million guests annually, making it among the most visited churches in Germany.  The church was planned as the burial place of the Electors of the Palatinate and as a representative church of the Palatinate royal seat. The church was also the location of the founding of the Heidelberg University.  The congregation was originally Roman  Catholic, but the church has changed denominations more than ten times through its history. Intermittently, over a 
300-year period, the nave and the choir of the church were separated by a wall, allowing both Catholics and Protestants to practice in the church at the same time.

 

                                         I had to send this picture to my dear friend, Mark Stubbe!!!

                                                          PROST to another incredible day!!

                                                                December 13, 2025 

We left Bobligen for the drive back to the Munich area to stay in an airport hotel in Freising to prepare for our trip home the next day.  We walked around Freising, a cute little town with a small local Christmas Market.

Freising is the oldest town in Upper Bavaria.  It is north of Munich and near the Munich International Airport.  The city is built on and around two prominent hills: the Cathedral Hill (Domberg) with the former Bishop's Residence and Freising Cathedral and Weihenstephan Hill (Weihenstephaner Berg) with the former Weihenstephan Abbey containing the oldest working brewery in the world. It was also the location of the first recorded tornado in Europe. The city is 448 meters above sea level.  

                                                          December 14, 2025

                                                                 Flight Home! 

                        A HUGE Thank You to Sara and Mike Streff for such an amazing trip!!