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| A German Parthenon |
We spent the Labor Day weekend with a large group of senior couples in Regensburg. It is in the far southeastern corner of our mission. President and Sister Stoddard were able to join us for a rare down day and enjoy a river cruise on the Danube from Regensburg to Walhalla. This huge classic temple was inspired by a desire to restore some sense of pride and dignity to the German people after suffering humiliating defeat at the hands of Napoleon and the French. Napolean dismantled the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nations which had been in place for centuries, drew a firm line between church and state, and controlled portions of Germany for a time. It was conceived in 1807 by Crown Prince Ludwig in order to support the then-gathering momentum for the unification of the many German states. Following his accession to the throne of Bavaria, construction took place between 1830 and 1842. It was supposed to support gathering momentum for the unification of the many German states, which finally occurred in the 1870s. It's impressive, but a little weird to our sense.
Regensburg is a lovely medieval city on the upper reaches of the Danube and has been a major port for centuries. Unlike many German cities, it was spare much of the devastation of war.
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| Jeff was probably laughing at something Elder Jarrard said |
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| Elder Jarrard - we miss his sense of humor |
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| Elder Snapp - we are in a train station. He loves anything mechanical. |
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| Sister Jarrard -- we miss this sunny smile, too |
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| Elder and Sister Newman - our constant companions for a year |
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| More beautiful every day |
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| Elder and Sister Markle - replacing the Newmans. We're happy to have them here. |
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| These pigeons found a bucket of water in the train station. They were not on the roof, family. |
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| Rathaus clock tower - couldn't get back far enough to get it in. |
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| Beautiful doors |
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| A little more of the old Rathaus (City Hall) |
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| Medieval tower house built on Roman foundations |
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| Cathedral towers. The neo-Gothic towers were a 19th century addition |
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| Protestant church near our hotel |
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| Beautiful courtyard of a hotel - not ours |
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| A piece of the 12th century city wall which forms the back of the Historic Sausage Kitchen - we all agree, they have the best mustard on the planet |
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| The Danube in the heart of the city |
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| Front of the cathedral. We happened in when a small service of nuns was taking place. The singing was lovely. |
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| Janet is enamored with doors |
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| The chalk markings are on lots of doors and are associated with a Catholic celebration related to the wisemen and the Feast of the Epiphany. They can stand for the wise men of tradition (Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar) or the Latin Christus Mansionem Benedicat which mean May Christ bless this home. |
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| The stone work flanking the door is exquisite |
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| Jeff likes the stained glass |
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| This was an especially beautiful window in the late afternoon sun |
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| The high altar is an incredible work of medieval artisanship |
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| Our good friends the Mumms and Newman on the boat |
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| Climbing the glass stairs |
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| The Snapps and Jarrards. Elder and Sister Ricks were along, too. He is standing in the green shirt. |
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| Fantastic weather this day |
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| Walhalla as we approached the landing |
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| Yes, we walked up the hill and then hundreds of steps |
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| People are sitting at the top because they are worn out |
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| What you find inside is rather surprising |
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| Great views from the steps - the scenery, too |
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| Small private gardens line the near river bank |
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| Hills on the north side and rolling farmland on the south |
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| Busts of famous German leaders, artists, thinkers, etc. |
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| There are about 65 busts in the interior |
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| Interior roof a little gaudy |
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| Completed 18 October 1842 |
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| Martin Luther |
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| Ludwig 1, King of Bavaria from a thankful people. They felt compelled to make him look like a Roman emperor. |
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| Ludwig Von Beethoven |
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| Begun 18 October 1830 |
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| Dedicated to those who stood up to Nazi tyranny |
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| Re-approaching Regensburg |
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| The steamer on the river front is actually a museum |
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| A depiction of the states making up the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nations |
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| Tower at the foot of the medieval bridge that was part of a warehouse for salt that was being moved up the river |
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| David and Goliath wall mural |
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| Salt warehouse on the right |
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| Inside the clock tower shown above |
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| Elder Markle just polished of an ice cream cone |
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| This bridge has been resurfaced, but it is hundreds of years old |
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| Looking down the Danube from the clock tower |
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| Side view of the historic sausage kitchen. It's a busy place for tourists and locals |
