Wheels Around Europe . . . . . . . : Ulm and Rain

Part of me wanted to write the title Rained off in Rain, but I`m pleased to say that wasn`t the case !
It rained most of the evening yesterday so we barely left the dry and comfort of Ed, just a quick once round the block at half time to give Louis a change to do what must be done.

I think most of the night was without rain, I didn`t hear the patter of rain on the roof anyway.

This morning was grey, but thankfully dry so straight after breakfast we headed off to get the tram into Ulm. This was achieved with little fuss, even the automated ticket machine had an English option so was easily mastered. Normally foreign automated ticket machines and me don`t get along too well, not knowing where I am, nor where I`m going, but this one was very simple, even for me

The Ulm Minster is very impressive, it`s huge steeple can be seen from almost every point in the city, except that is where we got off the tram, a 1960`s tower block obscured it from view at first !

The Gothic Ulm Minster, it has never been a Cathedral, has the tallest steeple in the world at 161.53 metres or 529.95 feet, that is until the eventual completion of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, that will top it by several metres.

The stone work is incredible, the detail of the carvings and the man hours that must have gone into creating it is extraordinary. And the motivation to create such a statement building is remarkable for the time.
The stone work is like a lattice with amazing detailing

It`s also very very Gothic with lots of gargoyles carved into the stone.

Ulm received the attentions of Bomber Comand on 17th December 1944, which destroyed virtually the entire town west of the church to the railway station and north of the church up to the outskirts.
The church itself was barely damaged. However, almost all the other buildings of the town square (Münsterplatz) were severely hit and some 80% of the medieval centre of Ulm was destroyed.

Having Louis prevented us going inside but a quick peak through the doors revealed a huge pillared main gallery with arched ceilings.

A wander round revealed a museum dedicated to giving information on the construction of the Minster and the ongoing restoration work to the stonework. There is a lot of scaffolding up at the moment and I suspect it will be there a while as there is clearly a lot of work to be done.

In Ulm the sparrow is an iconic bird which takes it’s status from the legend that half-baked builders tried to shove wooden beams for the minster sideways through the city gates, their endeavours were fruitless until they were enlightened by a sparrow flying past with straw for it’s nest. The builders immediately changed how they carried the beams holding them lengthways to traverse the gate, and therefore completing the job! The sparrow has been honoured by the city ever since….

Later we wandered down to the Danube and crossed the river on a modern bridge. We went looking for a dog groomer to give Louis a freshen up but unfortunately the only one in walking distance was shut when we got there and no indication of opening hours, so Louis remains in need of a good wash.

One of the other most impressive buildings in the town is the Old Rathaus (Town Hall), with it`s guilded clockface and highly detailed painting. The New Rathaus is also nearby but a much more modern building. It still makes me chuckle that the Town Hall is called the Rathaus. Apologies to all Town Hall staff.

Next was a walk around the old town through some attractive painted buildings containing all kinds of shops, cafés and bars and restaurants.

There is also a lot of modern art in the city, probably influenced by the large student population attending the University. Some of it I quite liked, other not so much.

After lunch the sun shone brightly and we set off for the small town of Rain. It is on the tourist Romantic Route and whilst it`s a pleaant little town with some traditional painted buildings and spotlessly clean everywhere, I think it`s a bit of a “filler” on the route.

You can just imagine the conversation between the German Tourist Board and the Rathaus in Rain who, keen not to miss out on the tourist euro (or Deutsche Mark as it would have been) insisting that they had to be included as a recommended spot for spending some money in the town..

Tonight we are at a small campsite with it`s own beautiful lake that is good for swimming apparently, a few miles outside Rain, called Donau Lech Camping (GPS 48.6757 10.84092)

So tomorrow we will hopefully find some of the more worthwhile historic and scenic towns to visit, Donauwörth and Harburg are the next two in our sights heading north from here.

The weather by the way has turned really warm and sunny and the forecast for the weekend is for more of the same.

Enjoy your weekend folks, I gather your in for a scorcher too, get the BBQ`s lit.