Speyer, Germany – 12 FEB 2011

The last stop, on my student's recommendations, was Speyer, also known for its’ cathedral which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Founded by Conrad II in 1030 and remodeled at the end of the 11th century. Their website says: “Speyer Cathedral is one of the most important Romanesque monuments from the time of the Holy Roman Empire and the imposing triple-aisled vaulted basilica is the culmination of a design that was to be very influential in the subsequent development of Romanesque architecture during the 11th and 12th centuries.”
Located in front of the Cathedral:
Detail on the back pillar: Mold on the brick wall:

It didn’t look open, plus I had read that you need to purchase a tour in order to see the inside.

I found other interesting sights to photography.

Two days to Valentine’s Day:

One-man-band singing Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan & Janis Joplin…with a German accent:

Part of a fountain that is a memorial to the fallen of WWI.

Great device…kids sit on them and spin.

Dreifaltigkeitskirchengemeinde (Trinity Parish), is a Protestant church built between 1701 and 1717.

This church is considered an "outstanding achievement of Protestant architecture and as a jewel of the baroque."   

While leaving town I found this wonderful sculpture in the center of a traffic circle; the feathers rotate in the wind, like a pinwheel:

Heidelberg Altstadt (Old Town), Germany – 6 FEB 2011

On the way to the Alstadt, I passed this building with a plaque which stated: Bergheimerstrasse 20, Dr. Jose Rizal (1861-1896), Philippine national hero practiced his Rizal eye medicine here, from February to August 1886 under Professor Dr. Otto Becker director of the University Eye-clinic. This was one of the panels on a door, it was about 5"x5":

Then I reached the Alstadt...about 10 blocks from my hotel, it is the oldest section of town that is now a shopping/walking/eating area.

The door below, struck me like the Bierstadt painting in the National Gallery (MvAdler.com 1/8/2011 ) a place I could sit for hours and record people interacting.

Fresh roasted chestnuts vendor:

Translated: The central gate stood here from the early Middle Ages to 1827.
I always thought some people were religious about their Starbucks…now I have proof.

By the time I reached the end I was so exhausted, I had to take a cab back to the hotel…it cost $14.00.