Imperial Cathedral Speyer and other Speyer, Germany Things to Do Tips

Kaiserdom

Konrad ll commissioned the building of Kaiserdom in 1030., known also as the Imperial Cathedral it was not until 1061 the Basillica was consecrated and dedicated to St. Mary. For nine hundred years of its history, the Cathedral was the last resting place of German Emperors. The Cathedral is a joy to behold with its Romanesque style of red sandstone which really sparkles and shines when the sun hits it, built in the shape of a Latin Cross. A unique feature of the Cathedral is the colonnade gallery near the top which allows visitors to walk around the entire Church with great views of the city but only on one day of the year. The day we visited was a very special one with crowds of pilgrims, clergy and tourists joined together for a Beatification in and around the Cathedral. The Carillons sang out into a clear blue sky - they say 'When a Church bell rings an Angel receives their wings' - there must have been a lot of Angles flying around on a special day in Speyer.

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Phone: 6232 102 397
Address: Dom plaz
Directions: You can't miss it - the Cathedral really does dominate here in Speyer
Website: www.dom-speyer.de

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Things To Do: Altportel

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Nov 27, 2006

The two clocks

The Altportel is said to be one of the most important and tallest town gates standing at a height of fifty five metres in Germany. The lower part of the gate was built between 1230 - 1250. The upper part with its late Gothic Balustrade was built between the years 1512 - 1514. The gate has two clocks on the tower which faces the Cathedral the bigger one shows the hour and the smaller one quarter hour or minutes, the reason for the two clocks was to alert the travelling pilgrims that the hour grows late. The Altportel is one of the few buildings in Speyer to have survived intact after the War of the Great Aliance in 1689.
The old gate is constructed in Germany sand stone and has beautiful hues of white, pink and grey I could only marvel at its age and great beauty it provides as an entry point to the town of Speyer.

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Address: Maximilian Strab
Directions: West side of the town
Website: www.speyer.de

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Things To Do: Memorial Church

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Nov 29, 2006

The Steeple

The Gedachtniskirche or Memorial Church of the Protestation was built in memory of the potests which took place in Speyer in 1529. Plans were made to renovate the still exsisting Trinity Church but it was decided to build a new Church that could rival Speyer Cathedral. The architects choosen from a long list of tenderers were Julius Flugge and Carl Nordmann from Essen. After eleven years of construction the Church was finally consecrated on the 31st. August 1904. The Church is built in Neo Gothic style so has plenty of details, the stone work, a white - grey sandstone is from Vogesen and was choosen because it would darken slower than red sandstone. It really is a lovely Church to spend time looking around, the roof is particularly interesting with its diamond patterned green and red glazed tiles. Just inside the Memorial Hall you will see a bronze statue honouring one of the World's great reformers - Martin Luther.

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Phone: 62 32 75042
Address: Bartholomaus Weltz Plaz
Directions: From the Town Gate head south look out for the great Steeple
Website: www.speyer.de

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Things To Do: Church of the Holy Trinity

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Nov 28, 2006

Dreifaltigkeitskirche or Church of the Holy Trinity, a Lutheran Church, was constructed in 1701 - 1717., designed by the architect of the Court of the Palatinate Johan Peter Grabner. The Baroque exterior is stunning and is the only surviving Church of this style in the Rhine - Main - Necker Region. Usually you can only see the Churches magnificent interior by taking a City Guided Tour, but luck was with us on that special day in Speyer, whether it was because of the celebrations at Speyer Cathedral or maybe a Church Service had recently finished I don't know. We tried a side door and yes the Church was open. What a wonderous sight awaited us. The Holy Trinity Church with its rich wooden gallery and highly decorated Chancel really did open my eyes to all the Church's splendour.

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Phone: 62 32 14 23
Address: Grobe Himmlesgasse
Directions: turn left at Dom Plaz
Website: www.speyer.de

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Things To Do: Rathaus - City Hall

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Nov 28, 2006

Beautiful in Pink

by scottishvisitor , 3 more photos

The City Hall was built between 1712 - 1726 on the site of the original fifteenth century Chancellery or Chancery which was destroyed in the War of the Great Alliance in 1689. This lovely pink architecture was designed in the late Barque style. The City Hall is now used for Wedding Ceremonies and chamber concerts. There is a exquisite decorative white shell above the main entrance which was a symbol for the Jakob Pilgrims who travelled through Germany and Europe.

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Phone: 62 32 14 23 92
Address: Maimilian Strb 12
Directions: In the Market Square
Website: www.speyer.de

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Things To Do: Alte Munze

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Nov 28, 2006

Sandstone Details

by scottishvisitor , 2 more photos

Alte Munze or Old Mint was built in 1748 and replaced the medievil Minters House which was destroyed in the Great War of the Alliance in 1689. The present building was used as a trading centre for the Market Place where trade and commerce took place well into the nineteenth century. Today the Old Mint's lower rooms are used as a warehouse while the upper part is the residence of the Municipal Authorities. I loved this building with its interesting red sandstone details which captured my eye set against the bright white facade and the very ornate top with its beautiful clock.

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Phone: 62 32 14 23 92
Address: Maximilian Stb 99
Directions: In the Market Square - still insight of the Cathedral
Website: www.speyer.de

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Things To Do: Saint George & the Dragon

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Nov 28, 2006

Saint George & a very fishy dragon

This rather modern statue of Saint George slaying a dragon tastfully done in colours of black and gold can be found in the Market Place. I was surprised to see Saint George in Speyer with his rather fishy looking dragon but I found a connection = there used to be a Church in Speyer dedicated to Saint George but now only the tower remains. Very near Saint George and the dragon you will also find the memorial fountain buiilt as a tribute to the fallen armed forces from World War l. On a lighter note the Market Square is a very pretty part of town where you can relax with a coffee or soft drink and watch the world go by as well as admiring some of the great buildings which surround this place which add their own atmosphere

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Address: Maximilian strab
Directions: The Hub of Speyer where many the restaurant are
Website: www.speyer.de

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Things To Do: Historical Museum of the Palatinate

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Nov 29, 2006

Museum der Plaz Speyer

This museum really is packed full of history and has a lot to offer visitors. When you first enter you have to leave all bags etc. in a locker room. Don't leave your camera because most of the pieces on display can be photographed. We visited the special exhibition to see the great painting and the crowns of the Kings and Queens from Speyer Cathedral, this was very well done with billowing white curtains in a darkened room with blue lighting, no photography is allowed in this part. The museum takes a bit of time as it covers lots of history
The Roman Wine is a must see dating back to the third century AD the original liquid is stored in a glass flask preserved between a layer of olive oil it is housed in the painted tower room and is thought to be the oldest wine in the world.
Opening times Tuesday - Sunday 10.00 - 18.00
Permanent Exhibitions 4 euros
Special exhibition 8 euros

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Phone: 6232 6202 22
Address: Dom plaz
Directions: Not far from the Cathedral
Website: www.museum.speyer.de

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Things To Do: The City from on high

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Nov 29, 2006

We visited inside the Altportel which has an exhibition on the town of Speyer from its important days with its historical ties to the Holy Roman Empire. If you feel energetic climb the many stairs, the tower is fifty five metres tall so there are many, but to my surprise. the stairs are modern with quite easy flghts with something different to see on all floors. When you finally reach the top there is a narrow gallery to walk around, be prepared to let other tourist squeeze past and it is a tight squeeze! The views of Speyers roof tops are simply amazing from here. You can spend some time wondering and planning where to go next or admire what you have already seen from on high.
Opening times are Monday - Friday 10.00 - 12.00 then 14.00 - 16.00
Saturday - Sunday 10.00 - 17.00 Ticket Price one euro

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Phone: 62 32 142392
Address: Maximilian Strb
Directions: You really can't miss the Town Gate if you see the Cathedral look down the street it is at the opposite end.
Website: www.speyer.de

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Things To Do: Medieval JewishCourt

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Dec 3, 2006

Stairs