Tips 1 - 4 of 4 Speyer General Tips
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General Tips: Very much fascinating guided tours
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Favorite Thing: Speyer’s people are proud of their city and so are the tour guides. Together with tourist office, a lot of very exciting and interesting tours are offered. Besides the regular tours (like Speyer in general, the Cathedral or the Historical Museum) more than 20 different special tours are offered for groups, and of course in several languages (yes, Speyer’s people are well aware that not every foreign traveller understands German).
So far, I didn’t participate in any of them, but plan to do so, as I have a high confidence in the tour guides’ competence and I love this city. Of course I will report afterwards.
Tour through 2000 year old Speyer
The most common one will bring you into the Cathedral, the Trinity Chruch, Altpörtl, Mikwe and through some backstreets.
(each Sat and Sun, starts at 11 a.m. at tourist office; 3,50 €)
Anno Domini (1106, 1462, 1559) - Tours in historical costumes
This must be a very fascinating tour, where guides are dressed in historical costumes and tell about Heinrich IV, riots in town or the days during reformation.
(each 1st Friday of the month, starts at 7 p.m. at tourist office; 5 €)
Night-watcher tour at full moon
According to very old traditions, a night-watcher will lead through town, mostly during full moon days.
(each last Friday of the month, starts at 7 p.m. at tourist office; 5 €)
Fondest Memory: Medieval Crime
A dead body is found in medieval Speyer and the group has to solve the crime and find the murderer by finding traces and inquiring with witnesses.
Wine and Crime
Here, the murderer hunt is combined with wine tasting afterwards (*hicks*)
(each 2nd Friday of the month, starts at 7 p.m. at the selected restaurant; 17,50 €)
Brewery visit
If you have already read which restaurants I recommend, you have surely found Domhof . You will be guided guide through the brewery’s holy heart and can sample some of the famous golden liquid (haha, yes, I am well aware that this is a typical “for Richie” tip).
Speyer by Bike
This must also be an exciting tour, as it leads through Speyer’s backstreets and the lesser known or famous areas. But gorgeous views of the city and of course the Cathedral are guaranteed. Either you bring your own bike or you can rent one.
The prices (per person) for these tours vary. 3,50 € (2 hrs) for the common tour through town, 5 € (2 hrs) for the more special ones like the night-watchman’s tour, tours at full moon, medieval crime, historical costumes and around 20 – 30 € for the ones which include dinner or wine tasting.
For the tours, check here:
Speyer calendar or contact tourist office: +49 - 6232 – 14 23 92
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 Visiting Speyer? Read reviews about Speyer Hotels Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
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General Tips: Our guide yourself through Speyer
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Favorite Thing: If you don’t have the time or just are not the person to take a guided tour, it is very easy to guide yourself through Speyer’s fascinating old town. Tourist office has done everything to make this easy for you.
First of all, you should go to the tourist office and get yourself the map “Treffpunkt Speyer” (photo 4, left one). Haha, you maybe did already realize that I am quite enthusiastic about Speyer and the way, the people care about the visitors – but this map is something extra special. It lists the sights to see, the hotels with prices and rooms, the restaurants, cafes and wine pubs with seating, opening hours and prices (and of course shows their location on the map), the guided tours, the “park and ride” system and stations, the yearly festivities and so on. The map concept is fantastic, one of the best I ever saw for any town. And it is free, of course ! (This is Speyer, remember ?).
Fondest Memory: Well, you have your map now, and can start to walk around or maybe have a cup of coffee first and decide what you want to see and where to walk.
Once you are on your way, you will see countless signs in the city, which guide you. First, the ones as in photo 1 are located at all of the major “crossroads” and points. They have a map, showing you where you are (with a little red dot) and how far it is to your next point of interest, which are also marked on the map.
Then, at every house, church, museum etc of interest, little tags tell about the history of the place or its importance, who has lived here, when it was built, etc. They are pale blue with white writing and can’t be missed, as seen in photos 2 and 3.
In between, you have again countless places to stop for a while, for a nice cup of coffee or tea or for a sip of wine or beer.
Update April 5, 2007:
I just found out that Speyer's website offers some brochures for download, including a city map. So you can even better prepare your visit from home. This includes a 32 pages brochure "Treffpunkt Speyer" (meeting point Speyer), a more extended version of the one I showed you here on photo 4.
Speyer - downloads
(new URL as of Jan 08).
So – what are you waiting for ? Speyer is prepared to greet you, to meet you and to show you its magic.
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General Tips: Speyer, you and your camera
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Favorite Thing: As Speyer is a very much picturesque town, you surely won’t leave without tons of photos.
After having visited this lovely place now already several times, here my recommendations to get the best shots:
Cathedral and western portal:
On a sunny day, you should not miss the marvellous sunset and the golden colour, the western façade is painted with (see photo 1). Do this while sampling local wine or coffee in one of the countless street cafes on Maximilianstrasse (I can recommend Café Schlosser, as this is the closest to the Cathedral, and your view won’t be blocked by other street café’s chairs.
Cathedral in general:
Morning or afternoon are best, midday might lead to too pale photos.
Cathedral inside:
Anything between early morning and noon, as the sun will then lighten up the interior through the windows in the central nave. Afternoon is not a good idea, as the Cathedral does not have any windows in the west.
For the crypt it is pretty much the same, there are tiny windows, but they let in light only on real sunny days. For the tombs you’ll need a flash anyhow.
Fondest Memory: Altpörtel:
Best in the morning or late afternoon, the sun in your back.
If you climb on top of Altpörtel, you should do this during noon, as no sun is blocking your 360 degree view.
Memorial Church:
This church is oriented north-south, so for viewing the glass stained windows, afternoon would be best. Take in account that it closes during midday (from noon to 2 p.m.), so something around 2-4 p.m. would be best.
Backstreets:
As some of the real cosy backstreets are quite narrow (means really narrow), late morning or early afternoon is the best. Then you’ll get some light from the sun, but not the gleaming one during midday. Not too late (around 1 hour before sunset), it will be too darkish in the streets.
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General Tips: Make sure you don't miss the festivals !
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Favorite Thing: Maybe I gave you reasons enough to visit this fascinating town, but there are even more to come ! If you like typical festivals, and if you are flexible in your time, you should try and come during one of these wonderful festivals, Speyer is helding throughout the year.
(I have not seen any, as I only re-discovered the town in September 2006, but 2007 will see me on almost every of these :-))
Frühjahrsmesse (spring fair), 2nd and 3rd weekend of April (April 9-19, 2009):
This is a mixture between fun fair (with several rides for kids) and exhibition of local products.
Frühlingsfest (spring fair), May 2 - 3, 2009:
Shops are open on Sunday, delicious food is served on streets and in restaurants.
Brezelfest (pretzel festival), July 10 - 14, 2009:
This one is.. what else… dedicated to the famous pretzel. It is also a mixture of fun fair and pretzel sampling, together with all the delicious food, Speyer provides.
Siedlerfest (settlers' festival), July 31 - August 2, 2009:
Festival at Heinrich-Lang Platz.
Kaisertafel (Emperor’s Table), August 7 - 9, 2009:
This is a festival, held by Speyer’s restaurants and hotels community. A long table is set on Maximilianstraße, yes, from the Cathedral down to the Altpörtel and you can sample all the delicious food served by the various restaurants.
Spectaculum (Medieval festival), August 29 - 30, 2009:
This is one of the many Medieval festivals, held throughout Germany since some time.
Altstadtfest (old town festival), September 11-12, 2009:
This is a mixture of sampling delicious food and walking through Speyer’s old districts (north of Maximilianstraße). All the atmosphere has a historical touch to it, and it is said to be the best festival, Speyer offers.
Fondest Memory: Bauernmarkt (farmers’ market), September 19 - 20, 2009:
Well, this should also be one of Speyer’s best – a market where local farmers offer their goods. Believe me, I grew up in the region, and potatos, berries, apples and other fruit and vegetables is the best !! I've been there with my colleague from India in 2007 and he couldn't stop buying goods - me neither. The photos show some impressions of this market, and on my Rheinland-Pfalzpage, I have written about all the shops I loved at this market.
Christmas Market, November 23, 2009 – Januar 6, 2010:
Well, more than a typical Christmas Market, as it also has all kinds of local traditional artwork, a lot of attractions for kids (including kids’ Christmas baking).
Speyer's website lists all upcoming festivals and markets, but in German only:
Speyer festivals 2009
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 Comments for Trekki about Speyer | | | | |
evaanna Fri Apr 3, 2009 13:01 UTC
Fascinating page on this gorgous city. Loved it all - so ornate and lovely. The museum hides real treasures, but this Roman wine is just too much - what a waste!:) Interesting story of the statues of the Salian kings. A great page! | scottishvisitor Wed Jan 21, 2009 20:51 UTC
So many new things to see and do :) Your pictures with the summer blooms around the buildings are lovely :( What a pity I can't get to a Christmas Market for a few years yet! | tiabunna Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:02 UTC
You have added considerably to this page since my previous visit - and I don't have time to finish now. But this is a page to savour, not to rush: excellent photos and dense with information. | Zvrlj Sat Jan 10, 2009 16:52 UTC
Beautiful city. Reminded me a bit on Gdansk. Funny but we have never heard about Anselm Feuerbach, until now. And, it is so very obvious that you love Speyer :-) |
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