Danube River Tour
Greeter at Authentic Bavarian Village
One of our off-ship excursions while on the Danube was to an open-air museum called Museumsdorf Bayerische Wald. There were fundamental changes in the social and economic structure of the people living in the Bavarian forest in the 1970's. Every structure on exhibit was an original and was brought here to enable later generations to remember how their ancestors had lived.
Washroom in the Bavarian Forest
Notice the stove supplying the hot water for laundry.
Typical Bavarian Forest Chapel
This was one of several chapel's on display at the museum.
Bavarian Log Mill
This 500-year-old mill was restored and was the foundation of the museum.
Bavarian Bowling
Hand-carved bowling pins sat at the end of a wooden alley
Homes on the Banks of the Danube
Behind these two homes you can see an example of the vineyards that are on the Danube. This year the river's water level was particularly low as seen by the water line on the shoreline. There were several places on the Danube which proved to be challenging for our vessel to navigate.
Danube River Lock
I took this photo to illustrate the locks on the Danube. We were pulling into the lock beside a cargo vessel on the left. There were only several feet separating the two ships in the lock. We probably rose 50 feet before proceeding upstream towards Nuremberg.
Wachau Valley Church
This church was apparently built on the foundation of a castle. I was amazed at how well people maintained their homes, schools, and churches. Once again you can see more vineyards in the background.
Danube River Castle
This castle was supposed to have housed Richard the Lionheart during the crusades.
Mural in Melk Abbey
Melk Abbey is part of UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage and is one of the biggest and most beautiful European Baroque cathedrals. Benedictine monks have been living and working at the Melk Abbey since 1089. The current structure was built between 1702 and 1736. This beautiful ceiling mural was in the entry to the Abbey.
Reusable Coffin at the Melk Abbey
This coffin was an attempt by one of the frugal monks to recycle coffins after burial. The dead were lowered into the ground and then dropped out of the bottom. The coffin was then retrieved and used again for another burial. This was not too popular and only lasted for about six months.
John the Baptist Altar - Melk Abbey
This was one of many altars inside of the Melk Abbey Church. The painting by Johann Michael Rottmayr in 1727 is of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist. On the altar table is a glass sarcophagus with the skeleton of a catacomb saint. This was given to the monastery in 1762 by Maria Theresia as a gift. This unknown saint received the name Friedrich.
Town of Melk
The Melk Abbey is in the background. Kind of wish Jenny and I were there right now having lunch at one of the outdoor cafes.
Viking Skirnir Bell
Arriving in Passau Germany
Passau is known as the "City of Three Rivers". It lies at the confluence of the Inn, the Danube and the Ilz Rivers. During the Renaissance, Passau became famous for making high-quality knife and sword blades. A Passau wolf was stamped on their blades. Superstitious warriors believed that the wolf granted them invulnerablity.
Hotel Passauer Wolf
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Passau
St. Stephen's Cathedral is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. It has 17,974 organ pipes, 233 stops and four carillons. All five parts of the organ can be played from the main keyboard. Jenny and I were lucky enough to listen to a half-hour concert.
David and Goliath Mural
This mural was on a building in Regensburg, Germany. Regensburg is the oldest city on the Danube. It escaped damage from WWII and is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns.
Regensburg Tour Guide
Roman Arch in Regensburg
This arch was built by the Romans in 179 AD. It was built without mortar due to Roman ingenuity and discovering the "key stone" inserted into an arch.
Regensburg Sausage Kitchen
This is the oldest continuously open public restaurant in the world. It first opened in 1146 AD as a cookshop specializing in boiled meat. In 1806 when the family who currently owns it took over, charcoal-grilled sausages were introduced as the main dish. They serve 6,000 sausages per day. By the way, the beer was also very good.
Monastry at Neuhaus
Our next stop was in Scharding, Austria. Here we were able to get an overview of the Inn River with the Monastery at Neuhaus in the background. About an hour later we took a leisurely boat ride on the river in the vessel pictured on the right.
Christopheros Fountain
Statue depicting baby Jesus being carried across the river by Saint Christopher.
An Austrian Child
I took this candid shot of this precious child after a wedding ceremony on the Inn River.
Reflection of the Riverfront of the Inn River
Exiting the River Boat Excursion
St. Johannes Baptist Church - Vilshofen, Germany
Lunch at a Biergarten
Well-fed clients exiting the Biergarten
Local Youths Having Fun
Canoeing on the Danube
Statue of a Bishop, Danube Gorge
World War II Tribute
This obelisk was built by the Bavarian people to honor the US Army Garrison that saved their country.
