Next Day

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We started the day at Kelheim where high on a hill we visited the impressive Bavarian Friendship Hall, The memorial commemorating the victorious battles against Napoleon in the Wars of Liberation in 1813 -1815 was commissioned by King Ludwig I and begun by Friedrich Gärtner, who modelled it on centrally planned buildings from ancient Rome and the Italian Middle Ages. It was completed from modified plans in 1863 by Leo von Klenze. The supporting buttresses of the façade are crowned by 18 monumental statues designed by Johann Halbig, allegories of the German tribes. 

In the interior stands a circle of 34 goddesses of victory in white Carrara marble, the work of Ludwig Schwanthaler. The figures support 17 gilt shields, cast in bronze from captured gun-metal.

Next, passing an early canal entrance we took a boat trip through the Danube Gorge to the Benedictine abbey of Weltenburg. It is the oldest monastery in Bavaria and was founded around 600 AD by the monks of St. Columbanus. After visiting the Abbey we enjoyed some of the beer the monks have been brewing for centuries. After another fun morning, it was back to the ship.

After lunch we disembarked for a guided stroll around historic Regensburg, widely regarded as the medieval wonder of Germany — a living witness to two thousand years of rich and colorful history. Fortunately, the city survived World War II mostly intact due to the extensive air defenses built around the city. The Old Stone Bridge, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture was built between 1135 and 1146. There are numerous churches and towers belonging to the great noble families of the 13th & 14th century, Today, St. Peters Cathedral is famous for its Boys Choir, the Domspatzen (Cathedral Sparrows).

After exploring on our own it was back to the ship, where, in the evening we were entertained by a Bavarian band.

Great group — you gotta hear them.

Next Day

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