Strasbourg

We left Munich at 6 am on what would be 10-hour train journey to Strasbourg, France (normally 6 hrs). This was due to two very important stops to see two very important churches. Monica and Ryan are troopers to accommodate my obsession with stained glass.

The first stop was at Augsburg, Germany to visit Augsburg Dom where we saw the world’s oldest stained glass windows still in their original installation. Dating to 1065, these five windows depict the prophets Daniel, Isaiah, David, Moses and Jonah. It has long been my highest dream to see these windows and I am so grateful it came true.

The next stop was at Ulm, Germany to see the world’s tallest church, Ulmer Munster. At 530 feet, it is an imposing Gothic masterpiece in the middle of town. The glass inside is relatively modern and astonishingly beautiful. Again, I am one lucky guy to see these two churches in the same day. Eventually, when Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is completed, it will become the tallest. Until then, Ulm Munster has held this honor for 500 years. My blog will show only a very few window shots. For all photos, please visit the Image Gallery under World Windows.

Finally we reached Strasbourg and enjoyed an evening stroll around our neighborhood to oggle at the beautiful architecture and find some Mexican takeout for supper. Our apartment is on the top floor of a 16th century building with internal spiral staircase. Good exercise for sure.

The next day, we fully explored the Grande Isle de Strasbourg (city core) on foot. Easily walked, the island is a labyrinth of cobble stoned streets crisscrossing the canals of the Rhine River with absolutely breathtaking vista’s at every corner and bridge. It certainly rivals Amsterdam for beauty. We visited three more churches, shopped for souvenirs, ate an excellent Oktoberfest lunch, people watched and enjoyed live street music. After an afternoon rest, supper was at a fantastic steakhouse just a block from our apartment. So good! Strasbourg is right up there with my favorite stops on this journey.

Here are the photo highlights of our time in Strasbourg.