Regensburg

 Prior to our arrival in Regensburg, we extended our cruise with a trip through the gorgeous Danube Gorge.   This is the last natural stretch of the river. The autumn colored trees alternate with vertical limestone cliffs in the narrowest and deepest passage along the river.  Formations have such names as Napoleon’s Suitcase.  Across from a cave monastery hides a pirates lair.

 
Our floating on the river ended at the Weltensburg Abbey where the altar is filled with a metal sculpture of St. George slaying the dragon.  The ceiling is an optical illusion, appearing like a dome yet actually flat.  Plump cherubim hang from cotton puff clouds.

The monastery is known for its delicious beer served with a giant pretzel.

On the walk back to the bus we saw a stone monument erected by the small town in memorial to three U.S soldiers killed while on a training exercise on the river.


Our last stop was the neo-classical pantheon Liberation Hall celebrating the German victory over Napoleon in 1563.  Statues and columns in multiples of eighteen honor the provinces of Germany.
                 

             
Back in Regensburg, we wandered the town visiting the cathedral and its crypt with bones from 1272.

On the sidewalk of a narrow side street were five small bronze plaques with the names of five Jews and their deportation date.  On Rita and Steve’s tour they saw a similar plaque in honor of Oscar Schindler.

The ship gave us vouchers for a notable little establishment, a sausage shop where Jerry relished the small hot dogs mit beer.

 Our last stop was a visit to a cuckoo clock shop for an explanation of the many parts that make these so delightful.  There are three different mechanisms for the cuckoo, music and clock.  These clocks are handmade and rather pricey so we are not bringing one home.