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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Apr 23, 2013 19:29:34 GMT
The city of Mainz is close to my heart as I was born there and worked there for many years. As a little girl it was always special going into the "big city" shopping etc. as this didn't really happen that often. Growing up in the smallest of towns outside of Mainz I was a true country girl and loved it - go figure I'd end up in one of the largest cities in the US (area wise) ha ha. Mainz is the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. It was the capital of the Electorate of Mainz at the time of the Holy Roman Empire. In antiquity Mainz was a Roman fort city which commanded the west bank of the Rhine and formed part of the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire; it was founded as a military post by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. The city is located on the river Rhine at its confluence with the Main opposite Wiesbaden, in the western part of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main; in the modern age, Frankfurt shares much of its regional importance. The city is famous as the home of the invention of the movable-type printing press, as the first books printed using movable type were manufactured in Mainz by Gutenberg in the early 1450s. Until the twentieth century, Mainz was usually referred to in English as Mayence. (that's what it's still called in France) One of my favorite things in Mainz is the Farmers Market at the Domplatz right in front of one of the oldest Roman Cathedrals in Germany. (more on that later) I miss those markets and wish we had something even remotely close here in the Valley of the Sun:  The rooster is always at the market and the sign reads "no need to be afraid of Salmonella" - I guess just saying farm fresh eggs is not flashy enough ha ha     end of part one (inspired by Kerouac's format  ) |
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Post by bixaorellana on Apr 24, 2013 4:13:26 GMT
First of all I have to say how much I love your photos. The first one is a particular favorite so far.
What amazing bounty at the farmers' market. What's with the chicken? I can figure out the words salmonella and angst (which I assume means "angst"), & can see the egg cartons. Is it to reassure the public that those particular eggs are safe?
The produce & flowers for sale make me think the pictures were taken in late spring/early summer. Is that correct? Also, how much of the stuff for sale is produced locally?
Can't wait to see more.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2013 11:24:21 GMT
Excellent photos! It is always a bit of surprise to see how different certain items can be in neighbouring countries -- for example, we don't generally see that type of radish in France, and to buy kohlrabi, I have to go to my Chinese supermarket!
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Apr 24, 2013 13:16:33 GMT
Thank you both - yes the french radishes are more elongated right? and here in the US I can't find Kohlrabi either in a normal market and also have to go to the Asian one.
Bixa - I took these photos in August 2011 and I believe that most of the items are local, although I am sure the lemons/limes came from neighboring southern countries. And yes - the rooster symbolized that "you don't have to be afraid of Salmonella" :-)
Will try to post some more soon!
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Apr 24, 2013 13:34:03 GMT
Continuing with a little more Dom Platz/Farmers Market and a few other spots to finish this section: In the war year 1916, this wooden pillar was laced with nails as war donations. Encircling the nail column three other pillars are grouped showing the allegorical figures of unity, strength and mercy.       I love honey and thankfully we have great local honey here in Arizona - but I still wanted to buy half of the tent... darn those luggage weight restrictions LOL. This little fountain just outside the Domplatz has been entertainment for little kids in the summer for ages... I used to play in it when it was hot and my parents shopped :-) (yes back then they just left us for 15 min to play)   Opera Building with modern addition  Altstadt (Old Town) Pedestrian area with lots of shops, restaurants, bars etc. Very happening area  I love old (or old looking) lanterns - My camera and I fall pray to them in Paris as well  The earlier mentioned Augustiner Kirche in Old Town Mainz - great showcase of the Baroque style   Fastnachtsbrunnen (Carnival fountain) The "Fastnachtsbrunnen" stands as a synonyme for the carnival season in Germany (between 11. November and Eastern). Unveiling was at 1/14/1967. Building took 3 years. The fountain shows many elements of the carnival in Mainz. Such as Till Eulenspiegel, the harlekin or the tomfool. Also regional references are shown, e.g. the father Rhine or grape-vines. |
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Post by tod2 on Apr 24, 2013 14:16:50 GMT
What a wonderful report fgrs1970! My very first trip to Europe was in 1980 and my husband and 2yr old son spent 6 weeks in various parts. I know we went to Mainz because we drove down the Rhine, Cris-crossing it at various bridges and towns.
One place I loved was Rhudesheim. I don't remember too much else except driving up to the gates of Schloss Johannisberger.
I am looking forward to more lovely photos! The market square, the quirky buildings are marvelous to see. That church interior is incredible and that magnificent organ must sound fantastic.
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Apr 24, 2013 15:10:57 GMT
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Post by mich64 on Apr 24, 2013 15:29:34 GMT
Fgrsk8r1970, your reports is full of so many things I enjoy seeing and reading about, history, home town knowledge, markets, churches, architecture and food!
Looking forward to your view of Heidelberg.
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Apr 24, 2013 15:55:54 GMT
Thanks Mich64 :-) I have been spending way too much time on this board - it's kinda addicting ha ha. And eventually I think I'll have to post on the "food" part of it as well as this is another one of my passions. Cooking and food photography (I am not a professional photographer... just to clarify, but I dabble in my hobby photography and pretend I am one LOL). The close-up's I have of Laduree Macarons.... but that's for another board   Heidelberg coming soon!!! |
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Post by tod2 on Apr 24, 2013 17:08:50 GMT
WHAT DO YOU MEAN......."The close-ups I have of Laduree Macaroons are for another board"! Don't you know my tongue is hanging out just so I can lick the screen?  ;D We love food here too! |
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Apr 24, 2013 17:13:00 GMT
LOL... I meant another spot on this board!!! OK OK... I'll post in my "Christmas in Paris" thread Oh the pressure ;-) |
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Apr 25, 2013 15:43:48 GMT
So moving on to Heidelberg - I had not been there in 15 years and this was the first time for my husband and we mostly concentrated on getting to the Castle :-) however walking through the pedestrian zone I couldn't pass by this church and as you can see I also was able to sneak a lantern into the photo :-)    Then we found the funicular which was the better way for my hubby to get up to the Castle - kinda cool to ride since it goes through this mini tunnel)   The view from the Castle is spectacular    Heidelberg Castle is a famous ruin in Germany and landmark of Heidelberg. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is located 80 metres (260 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. 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. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2013 12:26:00 GMT
Not only is the view spectacular, so was the weather!
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Apr 26, 2013 16:39:00 GMT
Thanks Kerouac  |
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Post by lagatta on Apr 26, 2013 23:28:43 GMT
Oh, such a lovely thread. The Rhine valley vinyards are planted so methodically, in Germany and in Alsace. I've also been to the area near Dijon and it is just a bit less "groomed" but both are lovely. You might be pleased to know that there are farmers at the market near me (Marché Jean-Talon) who do grow lovely kohlrabi and several kinds of radishes.
Was much of Mainz rebuilt after the War?
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Post by nycgirl on Apr 27, 2013 2:25:48 GMT
Lovely produce and flowers at the market. And that spaghetti ice cream looks delicious. That castle is gorgeous, and the view is just as pretty. I also like the shot you took zipping through the tunnel. |
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Post by mich64 on Apr 27, 2013 17:16:48 GMT
Enjoying your photos and commentary. We too enjoyed the Castle and funicular in Heidelberg. The Castle had some interesting exhibits especially the pharmacy/medical equipment. Of course the giant wine barrel was a sight to see. Unfortunately there were many closed areas when we visited as they were making repairs. I would love to go back some day.  |
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Apr 29, 2013 17:41:48 GMT
Thank you all - We are hoping to visit again next late spring depending on my Cowboy's health/mobility. He has never been to Bavaria so I am hoping to show him the lesser known beautiful spots in the countryside. But my heart will always be in the Rhine Valley and surrounding areas !!!
I have a photo of the big barrel, but it's not great ... will try to pull it out ;-)
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Post by nautiker on Apr 30, 2013 9:27:15 GMT
thanks for this report from me, too - Mainz certainly is one of the very pleasant places in Germany... surprised you didn't add a pic of the cathedral, though, since it's a most outstanding building! as regards lagatta's remark in #14: Mainz was destroyed to roughly 80% (some places it still shows, e.g. this church was left in its state as a memorial: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Christoph,_Mainz) - since Mainz belonged to the French occupied area, the architect Marcel Lods designed a completely new-built city according to Le Corbusier's Athens Charter with loads of high-rises - however this plan was (obviously) never put into practice... |
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Apr 30, 2013 13:54:40 GMT
Ha Nautiker - I could have sworn I posted a photo of the Dom.... oops!! Also I wish we could have walked to the church where the famous Chagall windows are in (the name escapes me right now, it's too early in the morning) but that would have been too much walking for my Cowboy. Next time :-) So here you go - the Roman Style back side of the Dom. It was partially destroyed as well and when rebuilt they added on more Gothic style portions:  They were cleaning/repairing parts of it  |
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Post by tod2 on Apr 30, 2013 14:37:32 GMT
Enjoying this wonderful report! The Dom is spectacular, the vineyards just like I remember them, and the wine - a good ice cold Rhine Riesling is hard to beat!
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on May 13, 2013 13:35:42 GMT
Thanks so much Tod - somehow I missed your comment until today |
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Post by lagatta on May 27, 2013 10:26:08 GMT
It is only 6:30 am, so I have much more craving for more coffee than some Riesling from the banks of the Rhine, but I can taste that mineral wine just reading this. I suppose it is still Spargelzeit there...
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2013 17:07:43 GMT
Looking at the Dom again, I find it looks very much like a Protestant church in Metz built using the same sort of stone -- and also built under Wilhelm II's reign during the period when Metz was considered to be part of Germany.  |
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on May 27, 2013 17:12:54 GMT
That's an interesting piece of information Kerouac - thanks for sharing, I had no idea. I have been to Metz a couple of times, but it's been too long ago for me to have been interested in these details |
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Post by lagatta on May 27, 2013 18:03:16 GMT
fgrsk, Kerouac has some long, photo-heavy threads on Metz (under France), if you are interested in there. Yes, I remember that similar church. Though I find the architecture in Munich quite different from Metz, and the other German cities I've seen. Perhaps a little more like Austria, or the Austrian-influenced parts of Northern Italy? Just an impression.
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;D
