With trusty list of places to see in hand, we (Jeanne, Jennifer and I) set off on our one day adventure. Unfortunately, we didn't get to everything on my list (but as I said, I will go back). Speyer was founded by the Romans and is one of Germany's oldest cities. It all began with a Roman camp along the Rhine River in 10 BC.
First stop, after the tourist center, that is (always good to stop in there to get a good map etc) is the Kaiserdom (the Cathedral of Speyer). Construction on the Cathedral started in 1030 by emperor Conrad II. Thirty years later the Cathedral was consecrated. The clan of Salians chose the cathedral as their burial site. Today, it is the final resting place for eight Salian, Staufer and Habsburg emperors and kings, four queens and a series of bishops. The crypt which was dedicated in 1041, is the oldest component of the cathedral. The grave sites, which originally lay in the nave, were relocated to the crypt in the course of renovation measures undertaken between 1900 and 1906. After the destruction in 1689 during the Palatine war of succession and the cathedral’s reconstruction in the 18th century, the Bavarian King Ludwig I allowed the interior to be painted in the late Nazarene style. In the 1950s, restorers removed the painting of the 19th century with the exception of the Maria cycle by Johann Schraudolph.
In 1981, UNESCO accepted the cathedral as the second German landmark in its list of “World Heritage Sites”. The Imperial Cathedral (St. Maria and St. Stephan) is the cathedral of the bishopric of Speyer.
Next we attempted the visit the Historisches Museum der Pfalz (Historic Museum of the Palatinate). This museum has collection and artifacts from the Stone Age to present (including the Cathedral jewels). Unfortunately, it also has an exhibit of the 40 years of Play Mobile being presented at the moment. We also ended up leaving early because I got what the lady working there said a bit wrong...oops. But we did see a little before leaving (this will be something to go back to on a different occasion).
One thing is for sure about Speyer, there is no shortage of churches so we set out for the next one to see, but on the way, we passed by the Old City Gate. The old city gate was Speyer's western city gate and part of the fortification that consisted of 68 wall and gate towers. The construction of the gate started in 1230. Three hundred years later, the topmost floor of the tower was added. The steep roof was added in 1708. The gate is 188 feet tall and is one of the highest and most significant city gates in Germany.
St. Joseph's Church is one of the newer churches that we visited today. It was built between 1912 and 1914. According to Jeanne (and thanks to her Catholic upbringing) since there is a red candle burning on the alter, it meant that Jesus was in the church...don't know so much about that, but it seems a viable option for a Christian church.
The last place we visited today (well besides the cafe for some hot coffee/tea) was the Trinity church. This Lutheran church was constructed between 1701 to 1717. The church design was fashioned after St. Katherine's church in Frankfurt. It has a wooden vaulted ceiling that is painted and has wood carvings on the pulpit, altar and galleries.
While the day was short, (only about 4 hours) it was a great glimpse at this lovely city, and I am sure to go back again...I think this is a must see for people coming to visit (and it is great that it is so close to my house...only about an hour).
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