In order to understand the town of Bismark (Altmark) in Saxony-Anhalt, I think its best to understand the Altmark region.

It’s not just some geographical location on a map. It’s more than just within Germany’s borders. It’s a whole package of culture and food, that’s seen some of the biggest names in history passing through like the Saxons, Lombards, Prussians.

That’s what makes Bismark special, even if it doesn’t have all that many “historical” sites. Besides, isn’t it befitting that Bismark made a commitment to green tourism?

First off, because Bismark lies within the Altmark, it’s going to be home to a number of regional specialties. So, between visiting Bismark’s churches (which I’ll get to in a minute), how about trying a locally made Altmark cake? I know for a fact it’ll taste better than the Tongue Stew.

Sorry stew-makers, while your cooking is delicious, cake tastes better. ;-)

Enough of food & the Altmark, it’s time to get down to the business of Bismark, and its churches. The village of Käthen had a Romanesque one, but it had to be rebuilt two centuries ago.

Kläden too has a Romanesque Church; and it’s also got a pretty manorhouse, and a memorial to those who died passing through on a Death March.

Badingen is another one of Bismark’s villages with its own village church (this one from the 13th century). And it also has a 19th century castle with an attached park for a leisurely stroll.

But none are the landmark of Bismark (Altmark). That honor is reserved for the Wallfahrtskirche Goldene Laus (We Germans love long names, don’t we), built in the 12th century.

In Dobberkau there are a couple of those awesome looking stone churches, and if you get hot just head over to the Waldschwimmbad outdoor pool to cool off a bit.

Of course, if you get hungry enough a bowl of Tongue Stew might be pretty tasty. Nahh, bring me the cake. ;-)

Just so you know, there’s crazy. And then there’s crazy. I ain’t judgin’, by no stretch of the imagination — but the people who can jump into frozen water, like they do in the town of Barby, are plain old nuts. ;-)

Actually, they’re not crazy — I’m only playing around. Anyone willing to take a Polar Bear Swim gets my respect.

If you’re willing to do it, it takes place in January at the Seepark Barby. The rest of the winter this warterpark is closed, but during the summer it’s jam packed with people looking to take a (warmer) plunge or get in on a game of beach volleyball.

Water seems to be a recurring theme here in Barby. The Blaues Band (Blue Ribbon) that Barby is proud member of in Saxony-Anhalt was designed to promote Water Tourism (do you believe these dollar-fifty words?) on the Elbe and Saale rivers (and tributaries).

Whatever you wanna call it, it doesn’t change the fact that you can rent a boat, all in the name of enjoying the Saale, the Elbe, or Taube Rivers.

Well, sort of the Saale, since Barby is where it empties into the Elbe.

Don’t want to captain your own vessel? No worries, there are two ferry sightseeing boats that’ll take you around.

That’s not even mentioning the two scenic routes that run along the way, like the Elberadweg and the Saale Cycle Route.

Barby also lies within the UNESCO Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve, filled with all sorts of local wildlife — including birds of prey in a picturesque river landscape.

Barby is more than just its natural landscape. It has a historical side, too. By visiting the St. John’s Church (a former Franciscan Monastery Church from the 1260s), the Chapel of St. Georgii, or the 14th century St. Mary’s Church (it’s Gothic, BTW) can attest to that.

Who knew what was to become of Otto I’s town of Barby that he created in 961 A.D.? I don’t really think he gave a thought to swimming with the icicles — but I’d like to think he’d give it a shot. Even if the idea is crazy. ;-)

Well, Petersberg (Saale) in Saxony-Anhalt, politically grown over time, it looks like you’re in some pretty good company. Your next door neighbors are Halle, Landsberg, and Wettin-Löbejün — but I think you’re good enough to hold your own against these big dogs.

Since this is Germany, chances are you’re going to have 21 churches — one for each of Petersberg’s villages. I won’t drag you to each & every one, just a couple. ;-)

There’s a bunch more to see here (and we’ll get to it), but I was so excited to tell you about the Romanesque churches in the villages of Wallwitz and Gutenberg. Or the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Petersberg.

Ostrava’s church isn’t medieval, it’s Baroque. It is also part school and apartment complex — but still holding services. And it is the venue for the annual Castle & Park Celebration.

The village of Krosigk has not only a fortified church (one used for defense against invaders), but the remains of what was 9th century castle. It’s still got its Keep (with a Gothic door after all these years), and its dungeon’s been around since the 12th century.

Huhhhhhhhhh, I’m shuddering… wouldn’t want to have been there back then.

In 1644 the Swedes destroyed it, and one owner back in 1701 decided to rebuild. It didn’t last too long, the castle’s a ruin; but does host the Dorffest (Village Festival) on the second weekend of June.

The Heimatstube in Krosigk has a great historical overview of who did what, and how. But, I wouldn’t leave out a visit to the town’s 18th century windmill or its 16th century watermill.

Industry is nothing new to Petersberg, albeit it’s a different kind in the 21st century. Look up on the hillside, you’ll see the Television and Communications towers overlooking historical monuments like the Bismarck Tower.

Petersberg has one other place to visit before you manage to find some other town to sink your claws into — and rightly said since you’re going to Petersberg’s zoo.

I might’ve shuddered at being in Petersberg’s 12th century dungeon, but no way that’s gonna happen now in the 21st.

There’s only one place in the world where you’re going to find the Saale River. That’s right, Sweetheart, only in Germany. And not all of Germany, either. “Just” Bavaria, Thuringia, and Saxony-Anhalt.

What, that’s not enough? Sure it is. There’s plenty of wine packed along parts of the 413 kilometers (257 miles) that has some 25 tributaries like the Weiße Elster, the Ilm, the Bode, and the Unstrut, before it eventually feeds the Elbe.

Before we can get to the Saale-Unstrut Wine Route in Saxony-Anhalt, we gotta go to where the Saale River starts. Which is going to be in the Fichtelgebirge at a mountain called Großer Waldstein, near the village of Zell im Fichtelgebirge (enjoy the Naturpark, the Farm Museum, the Autumn Fair, and Christmas Market there).

It’s not a quick how-do-you-do at the Großer Waldstein in Upper Franconia. You got a “red” castle ruin to see. The Rotes Schloss was built in the 14th century, and it’s got chapel ruins too. Experts think the chapel was destroyed in 1430, yet no one’s too sure.

What kind of expert doesn’t know? Hmm, must be the wine talking — let’s move on before I get myself into trouble… ;-)

An expert isn’t needed to know that Oberkotzau is great too, not only because it’s part of the Franconian Forest, but because it’s so peaceful and serene along the Saale banks after a good snow.

All right, you can come when it’s warmer to see Castle Oberkotzau and the Gothic St. James Church. I’ll wait for winter again.

You mustn’t leave Bavaria before you’ve seen Hof. You’ll know you’re here when you start seeing all sorts of street signs from around the world at the Fernwehpark (Wanderlust Park). A walk around the pedestrian zone is nice, as is going to see the 13th century Lorenzkirche, the medieval watchtower, the Bismarck Tower, and the Hof Sauna for a swim and a spritz.

Leaving Hof, the Saale was once the border to East Germany. Great, now everyone can travel freely. Sweet Saale, that’s great!

From here the Saale sweeps along toward the Slate Mountains of Thuringia. In Drognitz, a village of less than 700 people, there’s a Mineral Museum — a good idea for an old mining town.

Compared to Dognitz, Rudolstadt is a downright metropolis with its 24,000 or so residents. These lucky people can see its Heidecksburg Castle and City Church anytime they want. However, they gotta wait for the annual Folk & World Music Festival (on the last weekend of July) like the rest of us.

I hope you like college towns, because that’s what you’re going to find in Jena. Not only is it a place for brilliant minds to think of the future, but it embraces its past. Luther was a frequent visitor, has a Goethe Memorial, a number of bridges to cross the Saale, and has a thriving cultural scene (check out the museums and theaters and you’ll see what I’m talking about).

Dornburg-Camburg is the next town that deserves a stop. Its neighborhood of Dornburg is quite small, not even 900 people, but Goethe saw something in that place. I’m thinking it could be triple castles that are part of a “complex” of sorts.

The Renaissance castle as an English Renaissance Garden, while the Rococo castle has a Baroque/Rococo Garden — go figure. And I think you’ll love the medieval castle, even if there isn’t a medieval garden.

Ohh, I found me a spa town: welcome to Bad Kösen (who is part of Naumburg nowadays; go figure why they did that, anyway…)! The end of April kicks the spa season into high gear, and the wine only enhances it. You’d be surprised how many people show up here in September for the Park & Light Festival that makes the Gradierwerk all aglow.

Hello Uta. I forgot you were here, a mere lapse in memory — it’s not proper to forget a lady.

Uta, BTW, is a statue at the Naumburg Cathedral alongside her husband — a proper tribute to two of the church’s biggest patrons. If you see nothing else in Naumburg, make sure the cathedral is it.

The Saale is unique here in Naumburg, because the river doesn’t run right through the middle of this famous town in Saxony-Anhalt — it circles around its city center. And it’s time to follow this winding river to somewhere else.

That someplace else is not the Saale-Unstrut Wine Route, which Naumburg is part of, but Merseburg, and its legend of the Raven. A long ago duke lost a ring, accusing his best friend of the theft. Turns out, the ring was found in a raven’s nest. Let that be a lesson in acting in anger — the duke has his poor friend executed for a “crime” he didn’t commit.

Merseburg is another cathedral town, and its Orgeltage (Organ Days) in September are really popular. The cathedral has pretty gardens and a Palace Festival in June, if you’re interested.

No jokes right now because Halle (Saale) is jam packed with stuff to do. No wonder a quarter of a million people live here — they’re trying to see it all. Yup, the city’s got castles, a 19th century synagogue, a cathedral, other churches, and a planetarium to mention just a few. The bestest, bestest, bestest part of the city is the Handel Festival every June.

Bernburg is unique — it’s where you’ll find what’s called the Alte Bibel or Old Bible Cemetery, where the gravestones all have Bible verses carved on. There’s a Jewish cemetery too — but if the whole graveyard thing is a bit morbid, then a visit to Bernburg Castle is a good idea (it overlooks the Saale), and the 12th century St. Stephani Church (the reason Bernburg falls on the Romanesque Route).

Nienburg (Saale) is also on a scenic route — a couple of them really. And don’t say I didn’t warn you that the Saale Cycle Route or the R1 European Cycle Path aren’t one of the easiest routes to take.

Too strenuous? Maybe the Romanesque Route is a better option to see the 11th century Monastic Church of Sts. Mary & Cyprian. Or, maybe you’ll just want to stroll along the German Avenues Route until you get to the Jewish cemetery.

Whatever scenic route you’ve chosen, they all managed to lead you to the banks of the sensational Saale.

The last town along the Saale before it flows into the Elbe is Barby, found in the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve. Hiking along the mining lakes is great, while strolling along the historic Stadtmauer and visiting the old churches (like the 14th century St. Mary’s) is a real treat.

All of the Saale River has been a treat. Let’s go back and start all over, just in case we missed something. ;-)

The Inn River might be the fourth-largest river in Germany, but it starts in the Swiss Alps not all that far from ultra posh St. Moritz; making its way northeastwards towards Austria.

The 517km Inn doesn’t meet up with Germany until the Austrian town of Kufstein and the romantic German town of Kiefersfelden. It then runs a bit along the Bavarian border, meeting up with the famous town of Rosenheim, which is probably the most famous German town on the river.

The Romans called it Noricum, one of the places that Nero Drusus was trying to get to when he created the Via Claudia Augusta. He might be gone, but you’re not — so come see the Simssee (a recreational lake), the 14th century Mittertor, and the 15th century Church of St. Nicholas. Do it on the last Sunday of August, this way you can enjoy the Autumn Festival too.

One of the most picturesque towns along the river is Wasserburg am Inn. The Inn curves along the medieval Old Town, offering a number of bridges to get in there. Yes, there’s a castle, but the Beer Cellar Museum (taken by guided tour only) is just as good of a choice as any.

The Heritage Museum is informative, and on top of it, the Pulverturm (Powder Tower) and Church of St. Michael just add to all its charm, especially when it’s all snow covered.

Didn’t think about snow? You should, almost two-thirds of the Inn lies along the Alps. Alps equals snow, making many towns along the way true winter sports havens. ;-)

Where to go next? Oh, I know! How ’bout Mühldorf? Any place with a 10-day festival is just swell in my books. ;-)

Not only will you party for 10 straight days at the Mühldorfer Volksfest (it kicks off on the last Saturday in August), but there’s also an Old Town Festival, nature areas for quiet activities, medieval & Baroque churches, with a District Museum to boot.

Neuötting, our next stop, is where you can see the 78-meter high tower of the St. Nicholas Church (the church was built in 1410). At the Hospital Church, the Rococo altar is what you want; and then add a stop over at the early 16th century St. Anne Church.

After leaving Neuötting it would be super to stop in Marktl am Inn. You might have heard this town mentioned quite a bit in the news. It was where Joseph Ratzinger was born.

Excuse me, he’s got a new name now: Pope Benedict XVI.

In its Local History Museum (conveniently located at the Town Hall) there’s a gold chalice given to the city from the Pope himself, plus a whole bunch of other exhibits about this quaint Bavarian town. The St. Oswald Church was also special to Benedict, so you should see that (and the Benedict Column) too.

The Inn now gets much bigger, because the Alz (before) and the Salzach (after) make it that way.

Not to rush you in Marktl, but wait until you’ve gotten a gander at Simbach am Inn. See that big fish with Aenus atop it? That bridge leads to Braunau in Austria, but stop — you want to see the Church of the Assumption, the Art Nouveau Rathaus, and visit the Heritage Museum, don’t you?

The Inn River ends in Passau, but it’s not a sorrowful ending. The Inn turns into the truly romantic Danube (going towards Italy); the second portion of this City of Three Rivers. Passau is truly spectacular, a city of culture and history.

And a city of beer. ;-)

Really, I’m not kidding about any of this. A number of breweries are located in Passau (Löwenbraueri is one of ’em), and you’ll find a Museum of Modern Art, a Glass Museum, a gorgeous Opera House, and the St. Stephen Cathedral where a church has stood since 450 A.D.

I covered them all, right? Beer, history, culture. Yup, I did. Oh, and I covered the Inn. Maybe the Alpine air is agreeing with me.

If I threw the word Fulda out there, I’d bet dollars to donuts that the 8th century Fulda Monastery would be the first thing coming to your mind — not the river with the same name (right?).

For about 221km, the Fulda River makes an impact on the many towns along its banks; and runs along the Kaufungen Forest and the Reinhardswald.

It has two sources, but the main one associated with the Fulda River is about a kilometer and a half north of Gersfeld on a plateau called the Wasserkuppe, the highest peak in the Rhön Mountains.

The Wasserkuppe is also famous for its role in aviation history. Gliders were developed here, and it’s partially where the Luftwaffe got its start.

Traveling downstream for about 50km, the Fulda River picks up its first tributary. One of like 25, although the biggest contributor to the Fulda is the Eder — which we’ll get to in a minute.

But, I’m going to Eichenzell, a town situated around the Vogelsberg Mountains that’s got a Renaissance Castle, a Heritage Museum, and an Old Cemetery where you can sit for a spell.

Please, it’s not a morbid thing to do in Germany — cemeteries are like parks, just with more quiet activities.

OK, so no cemetery for you — we’ll go to Fulda instead. Yes, the town this time — with its monastery that was founded in 744 by St. Sturm; and where Charlemagne was a visitor.

Fulda was more than just a kloster town, it was once along the Inner German Border, Napoleon’s Army tramped through, and it’s got a bunch of other sightseeing — like the St. Michael Church (my favorite) and the Old Town Hall.

Speaking of monasteries, Bad Hersfeld‘s got one too. So what if it’s in ruins, the Hersfeld Abbey (built 769) hosts an annual festival that attracts thousands of partygoers. Festival or not, the abbey is one of the best pieces of Romanesque architecture you’ll see anywhere. It helps that two saints were buried here, and Martin Luther even visited.

What else does Bad Hersfeld have? How about an Opera Festival, Bach Days (great, classical music), a Town Museum, and a half-timbered house built in 1452 (but isn’t the only framework house).

In our next town of Bebra, the Fulda River picks up five more of her tributaries. It’s easy to get caught up in Bebra’s festive spirit. It seems like there’s always a festival of some sort going on — like the Dragon Festivals, the Fisherman’s Festival (like a river town’s not gonna have one), the Easter Market, and the obligatory Christmas Market.

In Rotenburg an der Fulda, the Fulda River picks up one of its sluices; and its bridge links the Altstadt (Old Town) with the New Town.

The old part of Rotenburg is where you’ll find half-timbers facing the river, a Puppet & Toy Museum, a Town Hall built in the 1590s, and an old Jewish ritual bath called a mikvah.

Before you leave here, go see the Sts. Elisabeth & Marien Monastic Church, and the Jakobikirche. Trust me.

Would you believe there’s yet another Monastery on the Fulda River? This one being the 13th century Kloster Haydau, that’s now a venue for all sorts of professional and cultural activities.

Don’t get lazy, on it goes…

From the looks of it you might not guess that almost 100% of Guxhagen was destroyed by World War II bombings. It’s location along the Habichtswald, is so peaceful & serene (and where the Fulda River picks up its biggest tributary, the Eder). A good place to eat some Ahle Wurst, a local delicious sausage.

No time for food for me, I’m off to Kassel, a town named after a Germanic Tribe. This is also where the Weser River gets part of its start; and the Brothers Grimm got their own museum, in addition to the Natural History Museum.

The journey of the Fulda River ends in the Three-River City of Hannoversch Münden, or Hann. Münden for short. The length of its name is nothing compared to its history. It’s where the Fulda and Werra pour into the Weser. That would explain all the Weser Renaissance architecture, wouldn’t it? ;-)

The 12th century Stadtmauer, however, is of a medieval design.

The architecture of the Fulda River is more than just a monastery that bears its name. It’s also more than just the towns you’ll find along the way. This is the heart of Hesse. At least I think so anyway.

Anyone old enough to remember the television program from the 1960s called the Munsters? OK, maybe you’ve only seen reruns — but you know it wasn’t about Germany’s Münsters. Right?

A Münster in Germany isn’t a Frankenstein dad and his family, it’s a church of great importance; and you might know it by its English name, a Minster.

I have an amazing list of grand Minsters in Germany for you, starting at the Heilig-Kreuz-Münster in Schwäbisch Gmünd. The detail put into its Gothic vault ceiling is extraordinary, but the stained glass in the Sebalduskapelle is what really grabbed my attention.

The glass window in the choir section of the Münster Zur Schönen Unserer Lieben Frau (the Beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady) in Ingolstadt is also worth seeing. But don’t leave before seeing its 16th century painting of Jesus & Mary.

One of Germany’s most incredible Minsters is in Ulm. It can boast it’s the tallest church tower in the world (161.53 meters), so you know the view from the top is enough to render you speechless.

You’ll have to see the tower at Freiburger Münster (in Freiburg) from the bottom, making its 116-meter height seem even higher. Firmly on the ground at this church are 10 chapels to see.

Bonn made it on my list of the greatest German Minsters, built over a site holy to the Romans (and thought to be a necropolis — a Roman cemetery). Today it’s the city’s landmark — and has Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture.

It’s Gothic architecture and art the Minster in Heilbronn. You might know it as a former Abbey, but this 12th century Minster is most known as the final resting place of some Hohenzollerns.

Konstanzer Münster is quite old (the first church appeared around 600 A.D.), and one of the largest Romanesque churches in this part of Germany — built in 1089.

Landshut‘s got a title too. The tower of its Münster St. Martin is the highest made of brick on the planet at 130.6 meters. I like how its high altar is framed by huge arched windows.

Oh, we got another title going on! The choir stalls at the Münsterkirche St. Alexandri in Einbeck are the oldest in Germany, dating to 1288. Look up to see its brass Gothic chandelier.

The first church of Münster Unserer Lieben Frau, or Cathedral of Our Lady, appeared around 810 in Lindau (Bodensee); and now it sports an Baroque appearance after a fire ripped through it in 1728. Wait until you see its frescoes and Rococo stucco artwork…

The oldest part of the Sts. Cosmas & Damien Münster is its Catholic Cross Pillar — but I know everyone comes to see its Golden Madonna, which thankfully survived an aerial assault in March 1943.

You’re going to have to take a guided tour to see the restored cloister at the Münster St. Zeno in Bad Reichenhall. You’ll learn all about its 9th century beginnings, its marble 16th century pulpit, and its fantastic looking Tympanum.

Over at the Salemer Münster (in Salem), that used to be an Imperial Abbey, has a combination of Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, and Classicism architecture. What do you expect, it’s been here since 1137.

It wouldn’t be fair to leave the Altmünster in Mainz off my list of outstanding Minsters in Germany. It started as a Benedictine Abbey, then a Cistercian one, and eventually becoming a pilgrimage church.

If you’ve got time to only see one more Minster, make it the Herforder Münster in Herford. Outside you’ll see not only its stained glass windows, but 7 gold-plated suns. On the inside, you’ll get another look at its gorgeous glass windows, but it’s 18th century Swallows Nest organ.

The correct definition of Germany’s Minsters (or Münster) might be churches of great importance, but who knew they would be so stunningly fantastic — and not TV Munster in site. ;-)

Writing this page on German churches was a lot harder than I originally thought. Yeah, sure, there’s only like a gazillion here — from the biggest of cities to the smallest of villages has at least 1.

So, how do you even begin to write a page about them? See, not so easy. ;-)

My heart belongs to the Frauenkirche in Dresden, and I can’t decide to start or end with her bittersweet story.

It’s going at the end. It’s tale worth waiting for.

Because I’d just seen the Pilgrimage Church of Wies in Steingaden (near Füssen), I’m all gung-ho on telling you all about it — not only is it a UNESCO site, it’s a Baroque church you won’t soon forget after seeing the frescoes that adorn the ceiling.

I wouldn’t dream of leaving out the Basilica of St. Castor in Koblenz, one of the oldest churches in the region. It has a War Memorial in its St. Michael Chapel, and its St. Brigid Madonna is spectacular piece of art.

From spectacular art to spectacular music, the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig was where Johann Sebastian Bach worked until his death (he’s buried here), Mozart played here in 1789, and its where Wagner baptized.

Nördlingen has two churches you should see. The St. Salvator Church was originally a Monastic Church when it was built in 1422 (a City Church from 1562); and you can climb the Daniel Tower at the Gothic St. Georg Church that was built in 1427.

Two churches await you in Cologne. And I’m not talking about the Cologne Cathedral either. A number of Romanesque Churches can be found here, but we’ll go from the youngest of them — the Basilica of St. Kunibert (1247), to the oldest — St. Pantaleon (10th century).

Over in Trier you must see the Constantine Basilica, which is also called the Aula Palatina. It was originally built in the 4th century, and was restored after it was damaged during an air raid — which is why you can see the outside bricks on the inside. An interesting history, no doubt.

Überlingen might be on the posh Swabian Spa Route, but I’d make sure to visit the Pre-Romanesque Sylvesterkapelle before getting too wrapped up in spa services and playing on Lake Constance.

My poor pal Ludwig II. His heart (literally, his heart) lies at the Stiftskirche in Altötting. It’s been tradition to bury the heart of Bavarian kings here, which is why Ludwig’s dad & grandpappy’s heart is also interred at this pilgrimage church.

Another pilgrimage church is the Basilica of Holy Blood, built in 1698 in Walldürn — but it’s been a pilgrimage site more than three centuries before that. More than a hundred thousand pilgrims come here every year to see its Blood Altar.

Wismar is another town with more than one church to see. You can’t miss St. Mary’s Church with its 80-meter high tower; and its St. Georg Church is still undergoing reconstruction from when it was destroyed during World War II.

Which brings me to the story of the Frauenkirche in Dresden. During the last days of WWII Dresden was seriously bombed, destroying the Romanesque 11th century church.

At a cost of 180 Million Euro, the landmark of Dresden was finally finished its reconstruction in 2005 — sixty years after it was flatted.

Since the Frauenkirche reopened, more than 7 million people have come back to see the church where Bach played, and see its totally unique dome.

I told you her story was bittersweet — and worth the wait. Talk about the best of Germany’s churches, huh?

Not afraid of some hard work? Care to pray six or seven times a day? Such was the life of those in one of Germany’s many monasteries during the Middle Ages and beyond.

Some abbeys and monasteries have gone by the wayside, but many are still around. And you’re always welcome to join in for services at one of their churches.

There is one still being used by Benedictine nuns today who tend the vineyards at St. Hildegard in Eibingen im Rheingau (part of Rüdesheim), and have been since 1165.

The ladies will give you a tour in either French or English — and you’re welcome to join in for prayer services anytime between 5am and 8:15pm.

One of the wealthiest abbeys was the Fulda Abbey, of the Benedictine Order. Its St. Michael’s Chapel was built along its cemetery in 822.

Maria Laach is another famous Benedictine Abbey, built around the Laacher See in 1093. This is a true Romanesque delight — right down to its towers, arcaded gallery, and Paradise.

Wow, can’t believe it’s another Benedictine Abbey in Ettal. This was a place where you’d have found Teutonic Knights wandering around — as well as pilgrims since it had a pilgrimage church.

Ottobeuren Abbey had a saint for an Abbot, except he was just Ulrich back then. The gold & marbled Rococo Church is a wonderful venue for its weekly Saturday concerts. A wonderful way to see an 8th century abbey that became an Imperial one in 1299.

Prüm Abbey in Prüm was also begun in the 8th century, and then becoming an Imperial Abbey. It’s also said to house the sandals of Christ.

The 8th century was really popular for the creations of abbeys, as this is when the Benediktbeuren Abbey was built too — which you can’t tell from its Baroque church interior.

One of the most beautiful of all the abbeys is Reichenau Abbey, a UNESCO site where you’ll see Ottonian and Carolingian art from around 900 A.D.

St. Michael’s in Hildesheim is also a UNESCO site, and I’m sorry to say the bishop that commissioned this abbey church never saw it completed — dying 9 years before it was finished in 1031.

Around the same time the Michaelsberg Abbey was built in Bamberg (1015 A.D.), which was destroyed by an earthquake (don’t be frightened, this was in 1117). Another church was built in 1121, only to be destroyed by fire in 1610. When it was rebuilt, artists added the Garden of Heaven painting on its ceiling.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve come to join in for services or not, Germany’s Abbeys are terrific for looking into the country’s past — and those who lived here.

No matter where you are in the world — and Germany is no exception — know this: all cathedrals are churches, but not all churches are cathedrals.

Yeah, sounds cryptic — sure; but what’s the difference?

For starters, a cathedral is run by bishops; unlike an abbey that’s headed by an abbot (or abbess). Secondly, they’re usually found in larger cities — albeit not always the largest church in its district.

Whether they’re large or not, you know that Germany is bound to have some of the grandest cathedrals in the world.

All right, I know I’m jaded. But if you saw the Meißner Dom in the town of Meißen, built right next to Albrechts Castle, you’d understand why I said that. Not only does its tower soar 81-meters into the sky, but it’s been around since the mid-10th century — put here under the orders of Otto I.

You think that’s old? The Cathedral in Münster was originally built in 805 A.D. It’s most notably famous for its 15th century astronomical clock, and its not quite equal length towers. Yeah, they might look exact when viewing from the ground but, one is 57.7 meters, the other 55.5 meters. Go ahead, see if you can tell the difference. ;-)

A German cathedral’s spires might be impressive, like they are at Paderborn Cathedral (at 93 meters), however, it’s the Gothic high altar, the 16th century 3 Hares sculpture, and the relics of St. Liborius in its crypt that you’ll want to see here.

Another cathedral in Germany that housed relics of a saint (this time it’s of St. Gorgonius) is Minden Cathedral. It started simple enough (as a small Carolingian Church), going on to also house many art treasures. You can’t even tell it was destroyed by an air raid on March 28, 1945.

Air raid bombs hit another cathedral, this one possibly the most famous in the world — Cologne Cathedral. Yes, it’s towers are the 2nd largest in the world (157 meters), yet the most remarkable thing is that it took over 600 years to build AND the site has been a religious area from its days when it was a Roman Temple.

It’s not Romans that make an appearance at the next remarkable cathedral in Germany — it’s the Nibelungenlied; the basis of the Siegfried-Nibelung Route.

According to the story, Kriemhild (Siegfried the main character’s wife) and her sister-in-law Brünhilde argued over who had the higher rank — therefore entering the 2-domed, red sandstone, 11th century Worms Cathedral first.

The next four cathedrals worth mentioning have a bit of, um, how do I say it? OK, I’m not going to gloss it over… Madgeburg Cathedral, Erfurt Cathedral, Regensburg Cathedral, and Xanten Cathedral all have what’s known as a Judensau.

What it is, is an anti-Semetic ornamentation added to medieval churches. Seems out of place, considering you’ll find an amazing religious library at Xanten Cathedral, amazing art and the highest towers (104-meters) in eastern Germany at Madgeburg Cathedral, Regensburg Cathedral’s had a church here since 700 A.D. (and is most known for its Gothic artwork), and there are outstanding statues at Erfurt Cathedral — where Martin Luther was ordained back in the early 16th century.

Martin Luther wasn’t the only famous person to make a mark on one of Germany’s cathedrals. Henry the Lion is buried in Lübeck Cathedral, fitting since he put Lübeck on the map as the capital of the Hanseatic League. The cathedral doesn’t look too shabby considering it was partly destroyed during World War II — and it’s quite festive, often a venue for the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

If you like music go to Passau Cathedral, or Dom St. Stephen as it’s also called. The sounds of its massive organ are greatly enhanced by the ceiling frescoes, and the rest of the church’s gold and marble decoration.

Do you still think I’m jaded when I tell you Germany’s cathedrals are the most beautiful in the world? I know that after you’ve seen them, you’ll be saying the same thing.

More Cathedrals in Germany

• Speyer Cathedral — A grand example of Romanesque architecture; located in the Palatinate, honored by the UNESCO.