Travel Notes: Heidelberg Castle, Germany (October 15, 2008)

. The famous Castle Ruins of Heidelberg, Germany (Source: http://www.wikipedia.org/)

Photo taken by Raffy Saldaña on October 15, 2008.

Photo taken by Raffy Saldaña on October 15, 2008.

View from the Heidelberg Castle, Germany. Photo taken on October 15, 2008. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldaña (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/)

Note: On October 15, 2008 I visited the famous Castle in Heidelberg, Germany.

Click on the following links to view photos and video clips taken during my visit to the Heidelberg Castle:

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/197/Heidelberg_Castle_Heidelberg_Germany_October_2008

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/video/item/46/Video_Part_1_Heidelberg_Castle_Germany_October_2008

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/video/item/47/Video_Part_2_Heidelberg_Castle_Germany_October_2008

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Excerpts from Wikipedia:

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


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  The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th & 18th centuries. It is located 80 m (262 ft) up the northern part of the Königstuhl hillside, and thereby dominates the view of the old downtown. It is served by an intermediate station on the Heidelberger Bergbahn funicular railway that runs from Heidelberg's Kornmarkt to the summit of the Königstuhl.


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  The earliest castle structure was built before AD 1214 and later expanded into 2 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 destroyed some rebuilt sections.
  

More information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidelberg_Castle

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Travel Notes: Koblenz, Germany (October 2008)

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Koblenz, Germany

Date Visited: October 20 -21, 2008
How I got there: From Heidelberg, I took a slow train to Binge via Worms (2 hours). From Binge, I took the slow train to Koblenz (1 hour) passing along the Rhine.

Interesting Sights Visited/Seen:

1. Deutsches Eck
2. Kaiser Wilhelm monument
3. St. Kastor Church
4. St. Florian’s Church
5. St. Mary’s Church
6. Ehrenbreiststein Fortress

Interesting Facts About Koblenz:

“Ad confluences” (at the flowing together) was what the Romans called the earth castel they built here on the Mosel ford of the Rhine road linking Mainz, Cologne and Xanten shortly after the birth of Christ. From the completion of the Lime Walls (from 82 A.D.), there was here a Mosel bridge and a Rhine bridege, over which ran right through the town, the important military road between Cologne and Mainz. Around 260 AD he Romans built a wall with 19 round towers, which remained the town fortification until into the Middle Ages. A royal palatinate was created in the age of the Franks. The town was “immediately under the empire” (not subject to any prince) until 1018, when it was donated by Empereor Henreich II to the elector of Trier. It did not undergo any particularly troubled times during the Reformation. However, it suffered all the more during the wars of Ludwig XI, being almost completely destroyed by a French bombardment.

Koblenz is still characterized by the baroque style that dominated its reconstruction. It served as capital of a modest French department from 1794 – 1814. From 1815 it became capital of the Prussian Rhine province and was expanded into the largest fortress and garrison town of the Reich (“Die Wacht am Rhein”). From 1947 – 50 it served as seat of the government of the feral state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

The Ehrensbreitstein Fortress, is the most recent and at the same time largest example of the classic fortress, which became useless after the invention of long-range artillery shells and explosive bombs. Ehrenbreitstein was built from 1815-33 according to plans drawn up Colonel von Aster, with support from Friedrich Schinkel. The entire complex consists of two actual fortresses Konstantin and Alexander, the rotunda on the Asterstein and the casemates. It offers a fantastic view over the Rhine-Mosel region.

Interesting Experience:

1. Climb up to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress amidst trees in autumn colors.
2. View from the Ehrenbreistrein Fortress
3. Walking along the Old Town of Koblenz

Website: http://www.koblenz.de/

Reference: The Rhine: A Guide From Mainz to Cologne, http://www.schoening-verlag.de/
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Travel Notes: Luxembourg (October 2008)

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Luxembourg City,Luxembourg

Dates Visited: October 20 – 21, 2008 (Monday and Tuesday)

How I got there: From Koblenz (Germany) I took an Intercity train (IC) to Luxembourg, about two and a half hour’s ride.

Interesting Sights Visited/Seen:

1. The Bock, a Unesco World Heritage Site
2. Monument du Souvenir
3. Pont Adolphe (Adolphe Bridge)
4. Petrusse fortifications
5. Cathedral
6. Hotel de Ville (Town Hall)
7. Place Guillaume (Statue of William II)
8. Grand Ducal palace
9. Place Clairefontaine (statue of Grand Duchess Charlotte)
10. Eglise Saint-Jean Baptiste
11. Church of St. Michael
12. Old Town Center

Interesting Facts About Luxembourg:

Luxembourg is the capital city of one of the smallest countries in Europe.
In 963 Count Sigerfroi built a stronghold on the rocky outcop known as the “Bock” that sits beside the old Roman road from Reims to Treves that runs along the Alette Valley.
In 1443 the Dukes of Burgundy managed to capture the city. For the four centuries that followed the city was dominated by foreign princes: from Burgundy, Spain, France, Austria, and the German Confederacy.

The Grand Duchy was born in 1839 through the efforts of William II, King of Holland and himself Grand Duke of Luxembourg. The city of Luxembourg has been the official residence of the Grand Dukes ever since and the number of residential areas has grown under their reigns.

Interesting Experience:

1. Visiting the the Bock and Casemates

Website:

Reference: A Walk Through Luxembourg, Editions THILL S.A., http://www.thill-nels.com/
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Travel Notes: 'Manneken Pis' of Brussels (Belgium) And Other Sights

Photo caption: Photos of the famous 'Manneken Pis' taken by my cellphone camera (N6500) during a visit in Brussels, Belgium on October 5, 2008. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldana (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com)

Note: Before I arrived in Brussels, Belgium last October 4, 2008 I have never heard of 'Manneken Pis.' During my visit in the Grand Place of Brussels I learned that 'Mannekin Pis' is a very famous tourist attraction in Brussels.

Below are some facts about this famous Brussels symbol:

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis

Excerpts:

• Manneken Pis (Dutch for little man pee), also known in French as the petit Julien, is a very famous Brussels landmark. It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin.
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  On many occasions, the statue is dressed in a costume. His wardrobe now consists of several hundred different costumes. The costumes are changed according to a schedule managed by the non-profit association The Friends of Manneken-Pis, in ceremonies that are often accompanied by brass band music.
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  On occasion, the statue is hooked up to a keg of beer. Cups will be filled up with the beer flowing from the statue and given out to people passing by.
  
  
• There are several legends behind this statue, but the most famous is the one about Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. In 1142, the troops of this two-year-old lord were battling against the troops of the Berthouts, the lords of Grimbergen, in Ransbeke (now Neder-over-Heembeek). The troops put the infant lord in a basket and hung it in a tree, to encourage them. From there, he urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle.
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  Another legend goes like this: In the 14th century, Brussels was under siege by a foreign power. The city had held their ground for quite some time. The attackers had thought of a plan to place explosive charges at the city walls. A little boy named Juliaanske from Brussels happened to be spying on them as they were preparing. He urinated on the burning fuse and thus saved the city.
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  There was already a similar statue made of stone in the middle of the 15th century, perhaps as early as 1388. The statue was stolen several times. In 1619 it was replaced by a bronze statue, created by Franco-Flemish Baroque sculptor Jerome Duquesnoy, father of the more famous François.
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  Another story (told often to tourists) tells of a wealthy merchant who, during a visit to the city with his family, had his beloved young son go missing. The merchant hastily started searching with others all corners of the city, until one member of the search party found the boy happily urinating in a small garden. The merchant, as a gift of gratitude to the locals who helped out during the search, had the fountain built.
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  Another legend was that a small boy went missing from his mother when shopping in the center of the city. The woman, panic-stricken by the loss of her child, called upon everyone she came across, including the mayor of the city. A city-wide search began to find this small child and when at last he was found, he was peeing on the corner of a small street.
  
• The story had passed down over time and the statue erected as tribute to the well known fable.

Photo Links:

Click on the following links to view photos taken during my visit in Brussels, Belgium:

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/172/A_Rainy_Sunday_in_Brussels_Belgium_Autumn_in_Europe_Part_2
http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/191/Manneken_Pis_in_Brussels_Belgium_and_Other_Sights_

Suggestion: Choose the 'Slideshow' option.

Cheers,

Raffy

Travel Notes: The Windmill of Leiden, Netherlands (October 22, 2008)

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Photo caption: Photos of the windmill in Leiden, Netherlands which was converted into a museum. Taken using my cellphone camera (N6500) on October 22, 2008. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldana (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com)

Note: I visited Leiden, Netherlands on October 22, 2008. One of the interesting sights I saw in Leiden is the windmill which was converted into a museum.

Facts about Leiden:

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiden

Excerpts:

• Leiden (in English and archaic Dutch also Leyden) is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands and has 118,000 inhabitants.

• It forms a single urban area with Oegstgeest, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten, Valkenburg, Rijnsburg and Katwijk, with 254,000 inhabitants.

• It is located on the Old Rhine, close to the cities of The Hague and Haarlem.
  
• The recreational area of the Kaag Lakes (Kagerplassen) lies just to the northeast of Leiden.
  
• A university town since 1575, Leiden houses:
  Leiden University;
  Leiden University Medical Centre.
  
• Leiden is twinned with Oxford, the location of England's oldest university.
  
• The windmill shown in the photo was built in 1743. This windmill is one of the city's original 19 mills that still exist. It is/was a corn-grinding windmill and is now home to a museum.
  

Cheers,

Raffy

Travel Notes: Strasbourg Cathedral, France (October 18, 2008)

Note: I visited the City of Strasbourg, France on October 18, 2008. One of the most beautiful sights I've seen in Strasbourg is the Cathedral of Our Lady (Notre Dame).

Some Facts About the Strasbourg Cathedral:

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasbourg_Cathedral

Excerpts:

• Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg, German: Liebfrauenmünster zu Straßburg) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Strasbourg, France.

• Although considerable parts of it are still in Romanesque architecture, it is widely considered to be among the finest examples of high, or late, Gothic architecture.

• Erwin von Steinbach is credited for major contributions from 1277 to his death in 1318.
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  At 142 metres, it was the world's tallest building from 1647 to 1874. It remained the tallest church in the world until 1880, when it was surpassed firstly by Cologne Cathedral and then the 161 metre Ulm Münster. Today it is the fourth-tallest church in the world.
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  Described by Victor Hugo as a "gigantic and delicate marvel",the cathedral is visible far across the plains of Alsace and can be seen from as far off as the Vosges mountains or the Black Forest on the other side of the Rhine.
  

Cheers,

Raffy

Travel Notes: The Bock Cliff in Luxembourg

. Photo caption: Photo taken using my cellphone camera (N6500) during my visit at the historical Bock Cliff in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg last October 21, 2008. From the photo collection of Raffy Saldana (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/). All rights reserved.

Note: I visited Luxembourg City on October 20-21, 2008. One of the historic sites I've seen in Luxembourg is the 'Bock Cliff' which is very close to the Old City Center.

To view more photos taken during my visit to the Bock Cliff, please click on the following link:

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/188/The_Bock_Cliff_in_Luxembourg_October_21_2008

Bock Cliff Description

Source: http://www.planetware.com/luxembourg/bock-cliff-l-l-lluxbc.htm

Excerpt:

• Luxembourg's Bock cliff, with its cannon-loopholes, is joined to the city by the Castle Bridge (1735) in which is the entrance to the famous Casemates.
  

• On the Bock plateau are the remains of the old castle, discovered in 1963, now the Memorial of the Millennial Existence of the City.
  

• There are beautiful views of the suburb of Grund and of the Rham Plateau, also of the barracks built by Vauban (1865), the big towers and remains of the Wenceslas wall (1390).

• In the distance is the powder-magazine of Fort Rubamprèz (1847), the redoubt of Fort Rumigny (Vauban, 1688).
  
  
• Further on can be seen the National Institute of Sports and, higher up, the remains of Fort Dumoulin.

Cheers,

Raffy