Black Forest and Breisach, Germany

After docking in Breisach we boarded buses for a tour of the Black Forest.  We drove through some very beautiful landscape to the small village of  Breitnau.


It was a very picturesque little village with a larger than life size cuckoo clock.  We watched on demonstration of how cuckoo clocks are made and how they have evolved over the years.  No, we didn't buy one because we already own two.


Irv and I chose to take a stroll in the countryside to the small village chapel.  Here I am trying to capture photos that may eventually become paintings.


The fall colors were breathtaking!


Is anything more picturesque than this view?


It's called St. Oswald's Chapel.


We walked around the outside first.


Inside was the St. Oswald's Altar which dates back to 1515.  It depicts St. Matthias, St. Oswald and St. Michael.  St. Sebastian is on top and the 12 apostles are depicted below.


After looking around Irv went in search of a geocache and I headed to the cafe for a demonstration of how to make a Black Forest Cake.  The secret is definitely the amount cherry schnapps or cherry water as they call it.  I bought a piece for Irv and I to share later in the day.


Here's the recipe if you ever want to give it a try.


Couldn't help but to take photo of this cutie.


After getting back to Breisach Irv and I decided to head off on our own to get a closer look at the magnificent St. Stephen's Cathedral on the hill.



Up, up, up we went.  Here's one of the gates that used to protect the fortress.  The original fortress will built on top of this volcanic rock by the Romans in 260 AD.


The cathedral was built in the 12th-15th centuries in the Romanesque and Gothic styles.


It was mostly destroyed during WWII.  Rebuilding began in 1956.



Another fabulous door.


An amazing wood carved altar was crafted between 1523-1526.  The coronation of Mary is depicted in the middle.


An interesting statue in the cathedral courtyard.


We took a different route back down the hill.  This structure is imposing from every direction.


Another gate.


The view from the city center.  We enjoyed walking through the town even though the shops were closed because it was All Saints Day.  This part of Germany is predominantly Catholic so they strictly observe these holidays.


Before getting back on the boat Irv found a geocache in this picturesque location.


I couldn't believe they still had blooming flowers.  Is this some sort of hibiscus?

Next stop Kehl and Strasbourg, France.

 

Comments

Yogi♪♪♪ said…
You really got some great shots of the countryside and I love the photos of the stream going through the woods with the fall colors.
December 1, 2023 at 8:24 AM
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