Now you're talking! I love
Cities and this is one well worth visiting. Our daily programme said
our time of arrival was 10am but we were here by 7.30, up against another
boat so we couldn't keep our curtains open. there was some manouvering
to be done by several boats until we were finally in our berth but,
by the time we'd had breakfast, cleaned teeth etc. we were ready to
walk ashore. Along the promenade to Deutsches Eck (German Corner) where
the Moselle meets the Rhine. Past the Peter Altmeier Memorial (which,
to be honest, looked like a cross between a poor Stonehenge structure
and a sculpture of "giving the finger"!), remnants of the
Berlin Wall (interesting to see these even if they are more impressive
symbolically than structurally) to the stunning equestrian statue of
Emperor Wilhelm I. Erected in 1897, destroyed by American forces at
the end of WW2 and rebuilt, I'm pleased to say, in 1993. I'll say it
again, stunning!
The magnificent monument to Wilhelm I at German
Corner
On the opposite bank (of the Rhine) is the equally
impressive Fortress Ehrenbreitstein, although we didn't have time to
go there so didn't get a close look. To be honest the picture below
is taken from the ship as we left (through the cabin window) so is not
the greatest.
Fortress Ehrenbreitstein from the boat
Walked along the bank of
the Rhine past the cable car (which can be seen in the above picture)
station and down Rheinstrasse into the old town (stopping to buy a couple
of souvenirs in an excellent souvenir shop. If I were starting a collection
today I would consider beersteins - wonderful).
First to Josef Gorres Platz where there is (in both our opinions) a
wonderful fountain depicting (I think) the history of the city
Fountain in Gorres Square
Into Jesuits Square, very
impressive. The Church of the Jesuits (built in the early 17th. Century
and destroyed by the allies in 1944 except for the Western Portal with
it's huge rose window) is particularly impressive (to my eyes).
Statue of Johannes Muller in Jesuits Square
Jesuit Church in Jesuits Square
Under an arch from Jesuits
Square and we find the Schangel Fountain. The "Naughty Boy"
fountain. He spits every 2 minutes, it was nice to see that some people
didn't know (or didn't care) and got wet.
Naughty Boy Statue after and during
By this time we were flagging
(we're both 70+ after all) and went back to the boat for lunch. Fortified
we ventured out again but only to a Church close to the boat (Florinskirche
- Protestant), very attractive.
Outside the Florinskirche, what's it all about?
 
Inside the Florinskirche
Sailed away and couldn't
help taking another photo of the Kaiser Wilhelm monument from the cabin.
Not wonderful but it is through the glass!
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