Munich, Germany. For all the many reasons to come to this town (I arrived two days after the end of the Oktoberfest) one of the highlights is seeing the Rathaus-Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz.
The building itself is certainly not like town halls in the USA. At least not like the ones I worked in. This is day 18.
There they wait. Folks standing around waiting for the 'top of the hour'.
The city and town square are quite impressive, as seems to be the norm in this country. This statue of the virgin Mary, the Mariensaule (1638) was the first column to be erected north of the Alps. The statue itself dates to 1590 and used to be in the Frauenkirche. You can see the two domes of the church on the left.
It is not like I have not seen an animated clock before. Yet, there I was along with the rest of the crowds, craning my neck to watch the jousting and dancing. And I do mean crowds. I busied myself by drinking coffee and eating a German pastry while waiting.
I did take a video of the clock, but this one on YouTube is much better than mine. The picture of the bird at the end is mine.
On my Bucket List: Guatemala
The Germans are so finicky about perfection. No wonder all their cities are so clean. That is the first thing I notice in your photos.
ReplyDeleteIn three weeks of traveling last year I never saw trash anyplace. I see more garbage blowing down my street at home in one week.
DeleteI do remember the glockenspiel! Traveled to Munich many years ago just before I headed home to the US after a year in Switzerland. The rest of Munich is a blur, but these photos are wonderful, Denise.
ReplyDeleteYou have some gorgeous photos...I envy your time to travel.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the #AtoZChallenge
Get old and retire. You will have plenty of time. Money becomes the issue.
Deletedenise, if you haven't already--you should write a travel book!
ReplyDeleteLike you I have the time, not the money any more. I love those pictures but have to say we have a Glockenspiel in Kitchener which hosts the biggest Oktoberfest outside Munich. I have never been to any of the festivities, we avoid it as much as possible. I did work for the company that made it though at the time they were actually doing so.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSuch an impressive building.
ReplyDeleteI was in Munich during Oktoberfest and did not plan for that-It was a little crazy. I also got so sick-I had such bad laryngitis that I could not speak, my throat hurt so much and I was the one who spoke German (not fluent). I love the Glockenspiel and I remember reading that after WW2 it was severely damaged but an American GI who had some money, loved what he saw and felt for the people so he gave the money to restore this. The Knight who knocks the other off his horse is supposed to be that GI
ReplyDeleteI had not heard that story of the knight. Interesting. I planned my trip so that I would miss the Oktoberfest and the auto show, but had no idea about re-unification day. Ended up in Berlin for that which is why I missed so many things. The crowds were incredible. It was a four-day week-end for them.
DeleteI have to dig into my books and stuff to find this story but I know it to be true
DeleteAmazing What a beautiful building in Munich. I was amazed to see it, besides that your experience was also extraordinary. Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge about holidays. Latalianavillas.com
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