The good weather continues. We completed our first mini-tour of the spring season ten days ago and are now picking up where we left off, following the Main River and watching it expand from the original trickle to a river of respectable size. This section of the Main will take us from beer-brewing Franconia to wine-growing Franconia.
Traveling by train within Bavaria, we can use the Bayern-Ticket, 28€ valid one day for a group of up to five, regardless of the distance. A good deal. Often young people, usually students with limited funds, will ask if we have a Bayern-Ticket and if they can go along as part of our "group". We're happy to do them the favor. We change trains in Nürnberg, an exemplary train station with lifts to each and every platform, and are in Bamberg in the early afternoon. This leaves us plenty of time for the sights that we neglected last time.
We almost feel like commuters on the Munich-Nürenberg train
Beautiful white aparagus grown in Franconia, the fatter the better - and the more expensive. Green asparagus is usually imported from Greece and not as popular.
Bamberger Reiter: a life-size stone equestrian statue in the cathedral of Bamberg, considered the first monumental equestrian statue since classical antiquity.
Walking through "Die Schöne Pforte" or "Beautiful Gate" takes you to the inner courtyard of the Old Court. On either side of the Renaissance archway to the Old Court are reclining figures which represent the Main River and the Regnitz River.
20 - C - M - B - 10. In Southern Germany on Three Kings Day, January 6, the year and the initials C M B are written in chalk over doorways. Popular belief is that the letters stand for the Three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. They might also stand for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, Christ bless this house.
We get to see a little more of Bamberg, but actually we're looking for a nice place to eat. We end up at the traditional beer pub and restaurant Schlenkerla.
St. Florian, the patron saint against fire, is popular on house facades.
