Pinot, Bretzels, and Cathedrals

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There is one thing I have noticed about putting photos’ up on Facebook. The photos of my children or us as a family are often more noticed than the photo collections I put up of our sightseeing. It made me think- I too am less inclined to trawl through dozens of scenic pics than a few selected photos of smiling faces.
At the same time I realized that isolated photos of buildings or landscapes need more than a mere mention- they require a careful collection, a collaboration that is more than just a random photo of a building set amidst hundreds of other buildings, or a terminally grey skyline.
But Europe is full of beautiful history and classic architecture that it seems pointless to leave a stash of photos lying in a corner of memory. Besides, maybe you’d like to see a part of my world now, that doesn’t have brown, yellow and green savanna, eternal blue skies, and deep African savagery.

We’ve had a really wet rain drenched week, so while I let the girls climb with abandon on my Ikea coffee tables (sssh, don’t tell Dad…), I sat down and played around with my Picasa collage program and compiled a handful to showcase our city for you on this medium.

Last night as I finished up with them, I had to Google the names of some of the Churches so that I don’t give you false information ;-), and I realized I would have to do more than just thrown some photos on a web-page for you to see.

France has a long history of war and conflict, and Strasbourg even more so with its’ proximity to Germany. The majority of the street names are signed in French AND German. One of my favourite buildings that is about 800m from our apartment is the Palais du Rhin. It sits on one side of Place de la Republique, and is quite majestic in its’ appearance. If I didn’t have Google and Wikipedia at my fingertips, I would say that Hitler himself had it commissioned.
While Hitler didn’t have it commissioned, it was built just after the Franco-Prussian war for the Prussian Emperor. Work started in 1884, and was inaugurated in 1889. (I read last year that Prussia was where modern day Germany originated from.).
Sadly, I have not had the opportunity to visit inside the building, but what I love about the Palais du Rhin is the second floor windows that are so tall, and the arched dome in the centre. A few weeks ago, on a sultry late Saturday evening, I was able to watch the sun disappear behind the dome, and imagine standing under the golden evening light sipping a glass of Champagne. Alas, one loud little 3 year old woke from my reverie.

The Palais du Rhin has an unimpeded view of the Strasbourg National Theatre and the National Library. Down Avenue de la Liberte, which runs between these 2 buildings, you can see the main university building. In the center of these is Place de la Republique, a open area filled with lush grass, seasonal flower beds, benches, grassy banks, ancient magnolia trees and a memorial to the souls who have died for Germany and France. I have seen many a military assembly set up to commemorate something or other.
It is not a park per se, but it is often filled with students and adults alike who take their lunch there if the weather is good enough.

The city is full of statues, carvings, etchings and various other forms, and I have hundreds of photos from various buildings. The detail is simply amazing, most of it old, but some is new and modern- a delightful mix of talent across centuries.

When it is not high season- Christmas or sultry summer, I love being able to visit these places below to soak up European lifestyle. The Cathedral is central to Strasbourg, and for the most part, the most visited sight in town. It has a long history and various influences surrounding it, which I won’t get into here. You can walk up to a viewing deck, 66 meters up, and overlook the city, or you can enter this beautiful church and observe the many interesting pieces to it- the Astronomical Clock, or the Rose window whose photo I have managed to include. (The Astronomical Clock is deep inside the church, and out of respect I have not photographed the interior).

Opposite the square outside the Cathedral is a Musee Historique de Strasbourg (Historical Museum). I have not had the opportunity to go in yet, but I love the stark design on the outside, probably because it is just as old as other buildings in the area, but it lacks the intricate designs on its exterior. Perhaps the trees that have been arranged in front of it make it look more interesting.
Place Broglie hosts the National Opera House on one end, and another war memorial in front of the Opera House. When France remembers WWI and WWII, the French flags colour this square in red, blue and white, and charming soldiers decked in uniforms strut around as if its 1938 in Berlin. In Summer, the trees provide cool shade, and in Winter, the trees are naked in their barrenness. Any excess branches are trimmed off, and they provide a stark backdrop to le tri-coleur. Place Broglie is also the place to be at Christmas, as it is the biggest sight for the Christmas market. this is where I can pop to for an evening cup of gluwein.
I have always loved the river- be it the paltry Jukskei outside JHB, The Thames in London, or just the canal of the Ill River here in Strasbourg. We cross it every time we walk to the city, and each time I stop to watch. Sometimes I would love to be able to afford an apartment here!

These are just a handful of the Churches in town, each of them unique in some way. While looking up their names last night, I realized just how much interesting they all are, and that I am in fact missing at least 3 that I can think of off hand.
And since I might have just bored you to sleep already, lets rather leave the bit about the churches for another time.

Let me know if you want to know anything in particular, and I do apologise if the photo’s take a while to open up. They are the biggest size possible, mostly for maximum effect- there is just some things you need in the biggest detail possible.