7 October 2004
Bamberg
I must have skipped class the day they handed out touring partners. For the umpteenth week in a row, the people who said they would go touring with me never showed. So, alone and late, I set off for Bamberg.
On arrival in Bamberg, I followed my signs for the Altstadt Parkhaus. Almost immediately next to the garage was the famous “Altes Rathaus” (Old Town Hall) built in the middle of the river — perhaps the most famous sight in Bamberg. It is built with a yellow-on-white fachwerk on the upstream portion, supported by wooden trusses above the ship-like stone “bow.” The walls are painted in a baroque style, with a unique touch: some figures in the painting actually are sculptures jutting out from the wall.
I climbed the hillside to the Domplatz, finding it a very striking scene. The Dom is a very imposing, 4-spired Cathedral, oriented East/West. The ancient cobblestone of the plaza seemed to be made of the same stone as everything facing the square — leading to an almost monochromatic starkness. Unfortunately, I had arrived just in time for the Dom to close for a wedding, so I didn't get a chance to see the inside.
Atop the neighboring hill is the Michaelsberg Abbey, with a dramatic view of the city below. I also stopped at the river front across from “Little Venice” — a portion of town built right on the riverside in a manner reminiscent of Venice, Italy.
In Coburg I was searching for only one thing: A Coburger Bratwurst — a foot-long bratwurst grilled over pine cones, giving them a unique and special flavor. I had to criss-cross the downtown area several times before I picked up the trail. Following my nose, I found the familiar sight of the buildings on the main square, and smoke rising from a street-vendor hut. For the first time in over 15 years, I had myself a Coburger Bratwurst.
In the morning, I'm departing for a 4-day weekend in Austria and Switzerland. I also plan to make stops in Liechtenstein and Italy. My camera should get a really good workout over these next few days.
Charles.