Category: Germany

Part Batman, Part Bismarck

A large statue of Otto von Bismarck, the 19th-century leader who unified Germany as a nation, looks ever so slightly like the Batman. Hamburg, Germany. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

A Tell-All Statue in Hamburg Reveals Everything Now that Hamburg is more than a footnote in travel guidebooks, thanks to the recently completed wind-in-its-sails Elbphilharmonie building, Hamburg’s status as a green city, and the fact that it is easily navigated…

What’s Left of the Berlin Wall?

A portion of the Berlin Wall Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Seeing Where the World Really Changed It seems almost unimaginable now that for so many years, between 1961 and November 9, 1989, a wall divided East and West Berlin and tourists couldn’t cross easily beneath the Brandenburg Gate, and East…

Christ of Many Colors

Jesus at the Church of the Spilt Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

On this Palm Sunday, marvel at the varied images of Jesus depicted in churches and other places around the world. Sometimes he is a baby with the face of someone far more mature, sometimes he is an adult, sometimes with…

Taxis around the World: Germany

A colorful vehicle for hire in Hamburg, Germany. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

An unexpectedly bright vehicle for hire appears outside a restaurant in Hamburg, Germany. — Lori Tripoli Traveling to Hamburg? You might be interested in these posts: Reason to Visit Hamburg: WWII Bunker Transformed to Green Energy Plant Tracking the Beatles…

Street Art, Hamburg: Barbarossa

Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who was Holy Roman Emperor from 1155 to 1190, is credited with bringing peace to Germany and an open port in the city of Hamburg. —Lori Tripoli

There Really Is a Bürgermeister

Not speaking German, my only knowledge of the word bürgermeister stemmed from Christmas special from my childhood, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970). Thanks to a walking tour of Hamburg, I now understand that bürgermeister essentially means mayor. I…

Magical Art, Hamburg

Sometimes, there really are spirits living in trees. —Lori Tripoli Planning a visit to Hamburg, Germany? Consider these posts: Tracking the Beatles in Hamburg Reason to Visit Hamburg: WWII Bunker Transformed to Green Energy Plant Mississippi Queen in Hamburg

To Oktoberfest

Although Oktoberfest started in Munich in 1810 as a wedding celebration, beer festivals now seem to be universal. —Lori Tripoli Planning a trip to Germany? You might also be interested in these posts: Tracking the Beatles in Hamburg Reason to…