Würzburg and Fulda, Germany

This past weekend I was left to my own devices (while my friends went to Roma! Oh the jealousy I feel!!). Of course, when left alone for too long, I devise long and complicated journies across Germany to see lots of obscure old stuff. This weekend took me to western Germany, where I visited the towns of Würzburg, Fulda, Frankfort (accidentally), Köln and Aachen (yes, my feet are killing me).

The town of Würzburg is the start of the celebrated "Romantic Road" through the beautiful towns of southen Germany. It has lots of Baroque stuff ... not really my thing, but very shiny none the less.

Here's a view of the city from the fortress hill

Here's the (non-Baroque) castle at the top of Würzburg's hill

This was superceeded by a Baroque monstrosity ... uh, Shloß ... in the center of town

And then I went north to Fulda, which is also known for it's Baroque architecture, but I went there for the nifty Carolingian stuff.

Here's the huge Baroque Dom

This is the increadibly amazing St. Michaelskirche, dating from 822

it's got a Romanesque facade, but a complete Carolingian choir and crypt inside

(these are technical terms generally meaning "cool")

I also got to see some great Romanesque frescoes in the crypt of a tiny church

just outside the town

(btw: I am now a criminal ... I had to sneak into the crypt whose barred door was left unlocked, then I dragged in some lighting fixtures that were sitting around in the Church ... then I took lots of illicit pictures. I'm pretty sure this means eternal damnation)

More to follow on Köln and Aachen as soon as I can get the pictures to upload ...