Our first destination today (driving back through Wintertür) was a town called Stein am Rhein (stone on the Rhine), about an hour from Baden. John remembered hearing it was a nice place to visit and we LOVED it. We got there at about 11:00.
It’s an old town, with lots of murals on the buildings and lots of charm, right on the river. Today was a misty rain day with hardly anyone out and about. Not many shops were open. We found an excellent bakery with fresh plum Kuchen and a raisin bun, and we wandered here for about an hour.
There was a beautiful old church and St George’s Abbey with a museum (closed). Things are closed this time of year. It’s like time off for the shopkeepers until March or April. No tourists come in the cold after the Christmas months. I think this town is a big tourist destination in the summer time. It was beautiful. The buildings were beautiful. The murals and half-timber homes/shops were beautiful. It’s almost too much to take in. My words can’t capture it.
There are so many old things here. I love the doors and the hardware. I love the windows and shutters. I love the flower boxes, now beginning to come alive with Primroses and Pansies. I love it all so much. I do not tire of these interesting old towns.
As you will see below, I’m starting to panic about leaving Germany. That means I want to capture it ALL. I took so many photos here so I can come back with these memories any time I want to. I hope you enjoy them.
This city church was built as a monastery church in the 12th century. It was converted into a Protestant city church in 1583/1584. The walls and columns date from this period. The wall paintings in the choir and in both chapels date from the 13th to the 15th centuries. The southern corner tower was destroyed by lightening and rebuilt from 1596-1560. The last renovation was in 1989-92.
Behind the church is Saint George’s Abbey Museum (closed right now). I wish we could have seen inside.
Old roof tiles:
The Abbey courtyard:
Now back into the Old Town:
The muraled buildings are spectacular!
The City Hall:
Our tradition of a pastry in every town continues!
Many of the homes have histories displayed, like this one built in 1398. Each new owner or renovation is listed.
This the witch’s tower, which was used (since the 14th century) as a prison for both men and women.
There is a castle/fortress up on the hill overlooking the town.
Beautifully old!
This are insect hotels, for sale in the shops. I love this idea and wish I had one.
First signs of spring:
School’s out!
A boot scraper:
Images of St. George, the knight are found all around the town, and on the manhole covers in the pavements. He is conquering the dragon.
LOVED visiting here. It would be fun to come back in the summer, but it was nice today, to have the town to ourselves.
Our Frankfurt Germany Mission 