Dual Travelers : Rhine River Cruise Day 4

We arrived in Speyer around 5 am on Tuesday morning. After breakfast we had a walking tour at 8:45 into the small town.

We visited the Cathedral of Speyer it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built between 1030 and 1061 by emperors Konrad II, Henry III, and Henry IV, it was meant to impress not only in size but it’s pomp and majesty as well. Henry IV replaced its flat ceiling with groin vaults in the late 11th century, an innovative feat in its day. A restoration program in the 1050’s returned the building almost exactly its original condition.

Below is a statue representing Jesus praying with the disciples the night before His crucifixion in the Garden of Gethsemane.

On the plaza in front of the main entrance to the Cathedral stands the cathedral bowl. Originally, it marked the border between the sovereign territories of the bishop and the city. (Pictures below)

Since its construction in the 14th century, it played a significant role in the execution of a prison sentence: whoever had broken a state law and fled to the cathedral bowl was protected from prosecution.

It has been a long time since the cathedral bowl fulfilled these historical functions. But a beloved Middle Age custom continues to be observed in modern times. On special religious occasions, the cathedral bowl is filled with wine. With a capacity of over 1500 liters, many citizens and guests are thereby able to enjoy a taste of the juice of the grape. This occurred most recently at the 950-year anniversary of the dedication of the Cathedral of Speyer on October 2, 2011.

Front of the Cathedral

Door at the at the cathedral

Inside the Cathedral

Below are some photos from our tour of the Trinity Church After the great city fire of 1689, the Trinity Church was built between 1701 and 1717. It is the oldest of the five Protestant churches in Speyer.

We continue on our walking tour and our guide took us down this alley and I thought these windows decorated for Easter were noteworthy.

A few more pictures of our walk around town

The Old Gate | Stadt Speyer

The old city gate was Speyer's western city gate and part of the Middle Ages fortification that consisted of 68 wall and gate towers. Facing the cathedral it defines the end of Maximilian Street.