The woods and forests between cultivated fields in Germany are open to everyone to walk and bicycle through and just enjoy. There are no fences, no billboards and very few above ground utilities. The effect is an incredible feeling of openness in an otherwise highly populated land. Here a member of my host family (Florian) and my daughter (Eliese) stroll through one of the many forest paths available to us on our daily walk.

Our daily walk leads us through a fair part of the countryside around the small town of Rosstal where my host family lives. Less than 5 minutes walk from the house, this scene is typical for late spring with the mustard in full blossom and threatening rain clouds on the horizon.

This former bishops residence is still owned by the original family and houses the largest private baroque art collection in Germany - over 600 paintings from masters such as Peter Paul Reuben and Albrecht Duerer - many of which can be seen only here and in picture books. This head of the slain Medusa is at the foot of a statue flanking the front steps into the mansion.

One of the most famous of all medieval carvings, this unknown horseman rides eternally, for unknown reasons on a column in the cathedral in Bamberg (north of Nuremberg). The statue dates from about a.d. 900 and its exact origin, meaning or reference remains an enigma to this day.

Built after the Greek style on the expansive grounds of the former National Socialist Party (Nazi) meeting grounds on the outskirts of Nuremberg, this stadium was never finished. Its immense size and expense made it impossible to continue, and it stands now as an ironic reminder, full of construction storage. Only the outer facade is complete, the inside is unfinished brick and mortar.

The roses are in full bloom in May and June and form a colorful foreground for the castle on the hilltop.

(see also nos. 9 & 19) The yellow twin spires of this gorgeous church (Catholic) are visible from most of the central part of Munich. The baroque interior decor is not to be believed without seeing, and the beauty of the exterior is a suitable clue.

Just a small piece of the back side of the castle, viewed from the guardhouse on the north wall. It was the lord of this castle who sheltered Martin Luther as he fled the wrath of the Catholic Church in the late 15th century. By marriage, this family was related to royal families all over Europe, including Queen Victoria of Great Britain.

Land is precious in Germany, especially in the middle of town. So when the builders ran out of real estate, they hung their building across the bridge and out over the river. This is one of the most frequented tourist sites in Germany, and well worth the visit. In the river below this structure contestants hold boat jousting games in the spring festival. Teams of two, one steering and the other standing on the gunwales of a rowboat, try to "unseat" one another. The last one standing is the winner. Yes... the water is very cold!

There may be more Americans than Germans in this picture, because people from all over the world flock to the Christmas market in the main square of the old medieval city of Nuremberg. The St. Lawrence Church in the background is the site of the opening pageant for the market, and houses a working medieval clockwork that rivals the better know one on the city hall in Munich (see no. 13).

The chiming of the clock on this tower features drumming drummers, dancing lords, jousting knights and more. The crowds during summer, when this picture was made, are huge, but the central part of Munich retains its charm despite the close quarters. This, by the way, is the "new" city hall, and at 400 years of age is younger by several centuries than its less picturesque predecessor.

Traditional dress is not unusual in Germany, especially at festive occasions. Here, in front of the original Hofbräu Haus in Munich, this band was playing in celebration of the 700 year old guild of Munich florists. Others were passing out free cut flower bouquets to every woman in the crowd.

In the middle ages Nuremberg was an artists city and a haven for intellectuals. One of the best known engravers and painters of the time, Albrecht Duerer, lived in the house in the background. The house is just a few yards from the castle of the walled city of Nuremberg. The Duerer house marks the cultural center of the picturesque and popular Altstadt (old city).

This site of the old hospital, now a church center, tourist attraction and restaurant, was extended over the river that ran through the center of the old city. The old city of Nuremberg was virtually destroyed by allied bombing at the end of the 2nd World War but this site was fortunately lightly damaged and quickly restored. The St. Lawrence church by contrast (see no. 12) was absolutely levelled!

This and no. 18 are taken from the tower of the Frauenkirch (Our Lady's Church) in Munich. Note especially the colored rooftops and narrow winding streets... virtually the same since medieval times.

(see also nos. 8 & 9) This well known landmark is so beautiful it deserves one more look... this time up close.

The university was founded in the 17th century by Hugenots who had fled to Germany from France in the wake of Catholic persecution of protestants. The university remains today a premier protestant theological center, and houses the only endowed chair of Reformed Theology (currently occupied by a British professor) at a German state university.

The church in Rosstal is over 700 years old. Originally Catholic, of course, the region in which Rosstal is located declared themselves in support of the Reformation very early, so this Lutheran church is quite "experienced." This is the same church tower visible from Arch's bedroom skylight window and seen in nos. 24 & 25. The tower visible here dates from the time of the discovery of the "new world." You can learn more about Rosstal on the web at http://www.rosstal.de and click on the "English" version button.

The Church Bells in Rosstal

The path to the train station parallels the tracks, and offers a wonderful morning view of the back of Rosstal. The church tower and houses are the view on the way to work at the university, about an hour from Rosstal by train.

The home of Arch's host family in Rosstal. Arch's skylight window is actually on the other side of the house, facing Rosstal itself. When weather permits, lunch and/or supper on the balcony is always a pleasant experience.

(See also no. 24) Rosstal is as far north as Montreal Canada, so the winter nights are long and the fall days qrow noticeably shorter. Note the difference in the position of the sun in relation to the church tower in this picture and number 24, both taken at the same time of day, about 6 months apart.

The wealth of the princes was immense as this castle on the outskirts of Munich attests. Queen Elizabeth recently paid a royal overnight visit here, but stayed in one of the "outbuildings" on the grounds - 27 rooms furnished in lavish baroque style - quite an "outbuilding." The gardens behind this building cover several square miles, completely landscaped and dotted with sculpture, reflection ponds and a private canal to the neighboring estates. It was good to be the prince!