Our ship docks along the Blue Danube River in Regensburg, where my Dad was born in June of 1929. It's got quite a long history, first occupied by the Romans, who built the ancient Stone Bridge (Steine Brücke) and other structures that are still visible in the city. You can read more about this amazing city
that goes back over 2,000 years!!
The City of Regensburg
History to Modern-Day Regensburg
History of Regensburg
LOVE all the cobblestone roads and streets!!
Site of the ancient chapel of St. George and
St. Afra, built around the year 800
The twin spires of the Cathedral are visible as we approach the center of the city.
This wall is another remnant of the Roman occupation. It's said to have been built around 179 A.D.
History of the fort wall
The "onion-domed" church spires are evidence of Turkish occupation and influence under the Ottoman Empire.
(You'll see that in Austria, too.)
Our tour guide in Regensburg...her last name is the same as my cousin's, but the tour guide is not a relative...or, at least, she's not sure! :-)
Hey, I didn't know my nephew, Josef, had a shoe store in Regensburg!! :-)
("Beppo" is a version of the nickname, "Beppy", which Opa used to call Joey...."Bepp", or "Sepp" are nicknames for Joe!)
My two uncles, Karl and Gerhard, used to work at this hotel restaurant in the late 1940's to early 1950's before they left for Chicago.
So many of the buildings were painted with such beautiful colors...the surfaces were stucco.
The historic "Sausage Kitchen" on the banks of the Blue Danube River....they still serve brats and other German sausages...the aroma of the meats being grilled was amazing!! It is believed to have been run by the same family for about 500 years and goes back to the time when the Romans built the Stone Bridge across the Danube in the mid-1100's. Workers would visit this little place to eat while they were on breaks!
For more on this unique eatery, see:
See the Sausage Kitchen!
The Stone Bridge (Steine Brücke) across the Blue Danube River, built by the Romans around 1134.
To the left of this group is the Sausage Kitchen.
A group of students on a field trip to Regensburg
Our tour guide explaining the model of the Medieval city of Regensburg, which was first settled by the Celts, then the Romans.
The German writer, Goethe, lived for a time in Regensburg.
A marker showing the height of the Blue Danube flood in 1893
Many residents of the city use bikes to get around, thus, the sign showing the direction to Passau and Ulm.
Dad always talked about the narrow streets or lanes...they really are!
Germans are still fascinated with so many of the American film stars!
Was surprised to see the collection of Willow Tree figurines, which are so popular in the U.S.
We saw many buildings that had amazing murals on them.
This one is of David and Goliath, which was originally painted to depict the battle between the small merchants not being intimidated by the larger merchants in the city!
This is the street that is the Stone Bridge, hence the name "Brückestrasse", meaning Bridge Street.
Our tour guide told us that apartments and condos are at a real premium in Regensburg, as they are in most cities in Germany. There are many old buildings that have also been converted into apartments rented by students attending the University of Regensburg. (My father's family home is one such building now!)
The sign reads, "Fire Department Zone".
An art store: "Künstler" is an artist, right Josef?
More bikes....VORSICHT! (Look out!)
City Hall
Book Store....love the flowers in almost every window!
One of many cafés...sign advertises the variety of cakes they have....raspberry, chocolate, etc.
The first Café in Germany was opened in Regensburg in 1686,
so my Dad's (and mine!) love of coffee goes WAY back!!
This building was, at one time, a section of the watch tower for the city.
With gas (petrol) prices as high as they are in Europe, you do see lots of small cars!
The museum's centerpiece is the Imperial Hall, a Gothic banqueting hall which, from 1663, was the permanent seat of the imperial diet (congress) of the Holy Roman Empire. This was Germany's first parliament building and is now a museum and monument. The museum examines the history of the imperial diets and the place where they met, and looks at the town's legal system.
Sorry, I don't remember what this means...part of the Reichstagsmuseum...I'll have to ask my cousin, Hans, to translate it for me!
The twin spires of the Cathedral...St. Peter's. My Dad grew up only a couple of blocks away from the church.
Another group of school kids on a field trip....
not too different than American kids in dress and
hair styles!
DHL "goes green"
The center of the city
Music Store--"Klaviere" are pianos.
We saw many buildings being renovated or painted throughout the city.
This is a courthouse for Bavaria.
T-shirt says, "I am Drug Free!"
Graffiti ala Regensburg
Yes, "WC" stands for "water closet", aka
restroom! If not labeled that, you'll see signs telling you where "Toiletten" are!
Museum Store of Minerals and Fossils
Cartoon art outside of a trendy restaurant, "Bodega"
As you could already see, Regensburg was home to many artists, or "Künstlers".
 |
| Saw lots of these around town!! |
Interesting cigarette machines....you have to insert your drivers license to prove your age!
Have to be at least 18 to purchase cigs.
1 pack = 5 Euros or about $6.90!!!
The next several photos are of various shops along the narrow, cobblestone streets....so neat!!
Graphic Arts
 | |
| This was along the wall in the narrow passageway between the blocks of shops. |
For my niece, Sarah, the French teacher! :-)
This French restaurant, "Orphée", was started by
a gypsy baron in the early 1900's after it was opened as a brewery in 1896.
YES! Apple is in Germany! Although, I should say "Apfel ist in Deutschland!"
Yet another art gallery....many in Regensburg!
A boutique that is located inside of what used to be part of a chapel...notice the arched ceiling!
 |
| Uh, would you want your hair "killed"?? |
Lots of construction and renovation going on!
This interesting building was once a tower in the fort that was built along the Blue Danube...the fort became Regensburg! This tower now holds student dorms for those attending the University of Regensburg.
So many handmade dolls! You'll also see many items with the blue and white colors and symbols of the Bavarian flag.
For my sisters: This shoe store is called,
"Sister Love" :-)
Interesting puppets or marionettes
The famous beer steins...I have my grandfather's stein....my Dad's father, Michael Schels.
 | ||
| Antiques...I found the name to be familiar...I've taught quite a few | Baumanns at St. John's!! :-) |
Keys and cutlery (Schlüssel=key, Löffel=spoon)
The Hatmaker on the Dome (Cathedral) Plaza
Street Sign for the Dome Plaza
(Plaza of the Cathedral Dome/St. Peter's)
There are many shops and restaurants located around the Cathedral and its plaza.
Read about this beautiful church at:
History and facts about the Cathedral of St. Peter
This most famous landmark in Regensburg has been at this site since the 700's, first as the bishop's seat and later, the church was expanded around 1000. My dad grew up only blocks away from this cathedral and was an altar server and choir boy here! And the director of the famous choir later was Georg Ratzinger, the older brother of our current Pope Benedict! My dad would deliver mail to the Cathedral residence and would often see him.
Joseph Ratzinger was a professor of theology at the University of Regensburg in the 1960's, and he became Pope in 2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II.
The Cathedral is currently undergoing renovation and restoration.
Symbol for the establishment of the Diocese of Regensburg
A sign to indicate that this is the Bishop's Residence near the Cathedral
The Bishop's Residence near the Cathedral
The courtyard of the Bishop's Residence....LOVE the expression on the Bishop's face!!
This sign on the corner building marks the narrow street (Gasse) on where my father's house is located! I had originally walked right past it on our way to the Cathedral, thinking, "that must be it!", but not sure. We returned with my cousin later, and YES, it was my dad's place on Hackengasse (Hacken Lane)!!
My youngest sister, Monica, at the entrance to the narrow lane on which we'd find my dad's place of birth. Let's go!!
As you look toward the end of the lane, you can see the bank of the Blue Danube River, not far from the Stone Bridge. Being so close to the river, Dad told us that he and his siblings often battled respiratory illnesses with the damp conditions near the river. In fact, he had pneumonia more than once as a young boy!
Here it is....the 3-flat Schels Home! It is now an apartment building with student dorms.
My cousin, Hans, pointed to the window to the left, telling me that it was in that room that he rocked me in his arms when I was a baby! Hans was about 12 years old when I was born, and whenever my mom and dad brought me to visit the family home, he'd be sure to see me!
My dear cousin, Hans-Werner, LOVES the Chicago Bears cap! He and his wife, Erika, had visited us in Chicago about 20 years ago and had fond memories of their trip to the U.S. to see family. He is my Dad's nephew, son of his older sister, Margarete, whom I am named after. Hans, like my Dad, lost his mother when he was young,
and he looked upon my father as an older brother. They were very close. And Monica and I found his mannerisms and sense of humor to be SO like our Dad's...it was as though he was with us there in Regensburg! Will NEVER forget it!
The Schels Family Address
Notice the stucco exterior of the building, quite common in Regensburg and throughout Germany and Austria. I imagine it's a remnant of the Italian influence once the Romans occupied and built up the city!
The courtyard of my dad's home...there used to be balconies where the windows are.
Main entrance in the back...dare we go in?
OF COURSE! My cousin, Hans, led the way into what was now an apartment building rented mainly by students at the university.
Monica is standing in front of one of the doorways into what once was the Schels family living room, but is now a single apartment. Notice how low the doorways are!
Monica and my cousin's wife, Erika, having just listened to a description of what had become of the family home....transformed into apartments.
Inside of the oldest chapel in Regensburg:
Saying "Auf Wiedersehen" to Regensburg
 |
| Another view of the Steine Brücke, "Stone Bridge" |
There's our ship, the Amadolce!
One of the crew members on our ship had an amazing talent of creating a different animal or flower out of towels each day!
We returned to the ship to enjoy the local entertainment from Regensburg...these Bavarian musicians performed for us on "Bavaria Day" on the Amadolce! We found out later that they've even performed in Chicago!
No comments:
Post a Comment