Magdeburg
Anja started the day after breakfast with a presentation about Magdeburg. The town was destroyed multiple times and is now in the process of a grand rebuilding for the past 20 years. The thrill of the morning was the trip up, up, up through a huge lock, sailing across the aquaduct that crosses the Elbe, then down, down, down through another huge lock. Click here to read about the aquaduct and see the photos.
Lunch was wonderful. We were able to start with choices from the seafood buffet: Hot fish and chips, sautéed and boiled mussels, whole backed halibut and Paella. Cold stuffed eggs, smoked salmon, smoked trout and eel, stuffed tomato with crab, and a selection of herring. Seafood salad. Shrimp salad. Tuna salad. European cheese selection, local flavors, green salad and fresh fruits.
After we sat down, we were served Foamy Red Beat Soup served with walnuts and creams. The entrée was Creamy Chicken served in a sauce of wine, tomatoes and cream and served on a bed of rice. Dessert was Chocolate Roulade served with a Cherry ragout. The food has been excellent.
We docked in Magdeburg about noon and the group disembarked for the tour bus. As we drove through town, our tour guide pointed out the variations in the architecture and the multiple styles represented. (If you are an architect and can add more info to my description, please write in the comments!) The city was 85% destroyed with the WW II bombing, so the vast majority of the buildings are new. I’ve included a few shots from the bus window. There is a major shopping area (why do the tour guides always point this out to Americans?) as well as many outdoor cafes.
Our major tour of the day was “Die Dom zu Magdeburg” (the Magdeburg Church). Steve Stehli was the tour guide and he is extremely knowledgable, fluent in English, and willing to give you a complete tour of the building, and the city. (Phone number: 0049-1520-159-3168) The church is under renovation, but the main area that we toured has been completed. The part that I found intriguing is that the white stone walls are all cleaned. I included a photo with the original painted color of the walls and it reminded me immediately of St Germain des Pres in Paris. (link to that blog post) I now think that it is very valuable to have the original painting preserved for originality.
The Protestant Cathedral of Saints Catherine and Maurice
Click here for Wikipedia info on the Cathedral - This is great information about the history, architecture, and art of this building.
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| The interior of the building has been cleaned and the paint on the walls removed. This gives a much different and lighter look. Also, more light enters through the windows without the stained glass. |
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| The new organ was completed in 2004. The funding drive was started in 1997. I didn't get to hear it. |
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| Note that there are no stained glass window. The WW II bombings completely destroyed all of the glass. |
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| Look up at the high vaulted ceilings. I learned that Solar panels were installed on the roof in 1990 and that it was the first church in (former) East Germany to have solar power. |
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| The floor was made of large blocks. |
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| Tour Guide Steve Stehli |
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| Magdeburger Ehrenmal by Barlach |
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| The walls were originally painted in most cathedrals. This gives you a good idea of how the stone looked with coats of paint. |
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| A new door handle was designed and installed in the recent renovations. |
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| This is the statue of St. Maurice. This is considered to be the first realistic depiction of an ethnic African in Europe. |
TOUR GUIDE in MAGDEBURG
Steve Stehli was the tour guide and he is extremely knowledgable, fluent in English, and willing to give you a complete tour of the building, and the city. (Phone number: 0049-1520-159-3168)
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1 comment:
Interesting to see how the painted parts look. It certainly is bright with clear windows, but I do love the stained glass. Perhaps one day they'll replace them!
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