So Tuesday morning I hopped a boat and sailed off to Constance!
Au revoir, Meersburg! You are a true gem!
On the boat, there is Konstanz in the distance. Konstanz IS the border with Switzerland and was one of the few big cities that wasn't bombed during WWII (they kept their lights on to fool Allied planes into thinking it was part of Switzerland).
Close-up of Konstanz harbor...
Lake-side garden. The statue in the background is for Count Zeppelin - he was actually born in Konstanz.
Nice old buildings....
The Cathedral....this is where Jan Hus, Czech reformer, was condemned to burn at the stake in 1415.
I SO respect that guy....
Stained-glass window....
Looking down the old main street of Konstanz...
Some of the buildings have beautiful paintings on the outside....
Here is a close-up of another building....
A memorial obelisk to the Jewish residents of Konstanz who were sent to concentration camps.
This is the 'Council' building and is what Konstanz was really famous for. The Christian church was in a shambles in the early 1400's. There was a Pope in Rome; a Pope in France; and even another third Pope they had voted in, but that hadn't stopped the schism. So the 'Council of Constance' took place, especially in this building (renovated many times since) to 'take care of business between 1414 and 1418. This meant electing a new Pope that everyone could agree on, Martin V and burning the martyr and reformer, Jan Hus of Prague at the stake. (Before they burned Jan Hus he apparently prayed out loud for God to forgive them all for killing him :***(
Well, so on that happy thought, we leave Konstanz and head through the Black Forest!
I didn't even know....I had just scheduled to take a train north to Heidelberg where I used to live (2003) and the train just happened to be the 'Black Forest Train'. I was so grateful!
Look at the view!
One of the towns nestled in amongst the Black Forest....
Once I saw the open plains again I started getting excited again....I knew I was on my way....
'...take me home....country train....to the place....I belong....Heidelberg! my German momma....take me home, country train...' ;)
