Czech citizens drink far and away more beer than residents of any other countries, nearly 143 liters per person annually. The United States ranks 17th internationally, with ~76 liters.
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Intersection of the rivers Elbe (Czech: Labe) and Ohře (German: Eger)
The combination of the two rivers increases the volume of water carried by the Elbe significantly as it flows northward into Saxony.
Disembarking passengers, Elbe River cruise boat
Litoměřice lies relatively close to the Czech-German border, near a section of the Elbe marked by numerous locks. River passengers heading to Prague often disembark here, since road travel is much faster than via the river.
Approaching entrance, St. Stephen Cathedral
The imposing tower of St. Stephen's dominates the small city of Litoměřice, which lies at the junction of the rivers Elbe (Czech: Labe) and Ohře (German: Eger) in the north part of the Czech Republic, about 40 miles from Prague.
A bow line secures this Elbe River cruise boat near Königstein, where passengers disembark to see the Kőnigstein fortress barracks
Embarking passenger and sailors, Elbe River cruise boat.
Deckhands prepare to lift the gangplank as the last passenger embarks on this Elbe River cruise boat.
Church tower and railroad embankment beside Elbe River
Since the Elbe River is shallow in its upper reaches near the German-Czech border, a significant amount of passenger and freight traffic goes via rail. Train embankments exist on both sides of the river.
Because of its shallowness, upper reaches of the Elbe can't be navigated by propeller-drive boats. Limited draft boats and barges must be used, driven by paddle wheels.
The Kőnigstein fortress is one of the largest, oldest hilltop fortresses in Europe. It contains more than 50 buildings. Saxon royalty occasionally used it as a place of refuge.
Old doorway, Kőnigstein fortress barracks
Given its commanding position more than 750 feet above the Elbe River, the Königstein Fortress served as a major defense for Saxon rulers since the mid-13th century.
To enhance safety and provide better views, German park authorities constructed tourist walkways between rock columns, Sächsische Schweiz
Early morning sunlight picks out the Königstein fortress, close to the German-Czech border in "Saxon Switzerland."
View from Elbe River boat to village, southern Saxony-Anhalt
Despite its breadth, the Elbe River is only a few feet deep at this point. Excursion boats are paddle-wheelers, rather than propeller-driven.
Deutschebahn freight train beside Elbe River, Sächsische Schweiz
This busy rail line runs along Elbe, passing through important cities such as Hamburg, Magdeburg, Dresden and Prague. Like most major trains in Europe, it is powered by electric locomotives.
Rain, snow and other factors have eroded these rock columns over millennia
Entrance sign, 'Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz', or, Saxon Switzerland National Park
An inventive entrance sign for Sächsische Schweiz, an area preserved as a German national park
Looking down on the Elbe River from Königstein
A mountain view of the Elbe, seen from 'Camel Mountain,' part of the 'Sächsische Schweiz' range of hills.
A mountain view of the Elbe, seen from 'Camel Mountain,' part of the 'Sächsische Schweiz' range of hills. This is a favorite tourist site.
The Elbe cuts through mostly flat country in eastern Germany until it reaches the 'Sächsische Schweiz,' a mountain range whose highest point is 2113'. Small towns dot the river.
Germans lay great store by physical fitness. These joggers are out in the early morning.
Contemporary anti-war carving, Magdeburg Cathedral
The carver intended to convey an anti-war feeling through the sorrowful faces
Memorial to Otto the Great, King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor
Otto the Great ruled as King of Germany and from 936 and Holy Roman Emperor from 962 until his death in 973. He stands as one of Germany's most significant historical figures.
Large candle and altar, Magdeburg Cathedral
The helmets worn by some figures in the sculpture stress that prayers should be offered for peace.
Tourists inside cloister, Magdeburg Cathedral
The cloister provided persons attached to the cathedral a pleasant, quiet retreat.
Construction of the cathedral took about 300 years, starting in 1209, early in the period of Gothic architecture
Cathedral spires from cloister, Magdeburg Cathedral
Each spire stands about 100 meters high (almost 330 feet), among the highest in eastern Germany.
The large marble baptismal font has been placed in a prominent place, readily visible from all parts of the cathedral.
Magdeburg cathedral altar and bays by apse
Magdeburg Cathedral, officially called the Cathedral of Saints Catherine and Maurice, is the oldest Gothic cathedral in Germany.
Seal of the Law faculty, University of Wittenberg
The law school of the University of Halle-Wittenberg was established in 1817. The scales of justice dominate the seal.
Altar and stained glass windows, All Saint's Church
The church served as the main place of worship for students at the University of Wittenberg. It isn't dedicated to any single saint, and is often called the 'Castle Church' (Schlosskirche).
Well-worn wooden table and table, Luther's study
The deep grooves in the floor and table testify to centuries of usage. Luther wrote many of his key works in this study, built in 1504 as part of the University of Wittenberg, where he was a professor of theology.
City and Parish Church of St.Mary in Wittenberg
Luther posted his famed 95 Theses on the door of this church ini 1517. The first church on this site was started ~1340. The existing building was constructed between 1490 and 1511.
Scrawled remnant of World War II inside Luther Museum
Soviet troops defeated the Germans on the Eastern Front, advancing well into Germany.
Painted crucifix, Luther Museum, Wittenberg
The relatively simple style of the painting conveyed Christ's human nature and suffering.
Martin Luther's study, former Augustinian monastery
Luther gathered a growing number of followers, housing them and his growing family in a former Augustinian monastery. This is his study, where he wrote many of his noted works.
Wittenberg's most famous son is honored by this statue, in the middle of Wittenberg's main square.
Dating from 1530, the "Luther Rose" serves as a symbol of Lutheranism in general.
Poster, Luther in German Democratic Republic (East Germany/ DDR)
The Communist government of East Germany (DDR) honored Luther as a national hero, but downplayed his religious significance. Wittenberg fell within the Soviet zone of occupation, which became the DDR/German Democratic Republic.
This portrait of Martin Luther was painted in 1546, almost immediately after his death.
In an obvious play on words, this bottle advertises "Herb Theses," a distillation of herbs with alcohol added, 42% in this case, which is popular in Germany as a tonic.
Pope Leo X (served as Pope 1513-1521) expanded the use of indulgences, to help finance rebulding St. Peter's in Rome. He and Martin Luther were strong opponents.
The Ten Commandments by Lucas Cranach the Elder
Painted panels depicting the Ten Commandments housed in Lutherhaus
Von Bora [1499-1552], wife of Martin Luther and former nun, became an important Reformation figure in her own right, in particular managing the increasingly large Luther household and properties.
Cover of Reformation magazine featuring Katharina von Bora
The 500th anniversary of the Reformation - traditionally dated as Octobr 31, 1517 - led to an explosion of publications. Martin Luther's wife, Katharina von Bora, appears on this poster advertising Reformation magazine.
Interior, All Saints' Church, Wittenberg
Luther's 95 Theses were posted 10/31/1517 on a door of this church. Following the founding in 1502 by the University of Wittenberg, All Saints' served as a chapel to the university and it evolved into an important academic and worship center.
Mirrored globe honoring the 500th anniversary of the Reformation
While the mirrors on the globe reflect Wittenberg's central square, the town's location and Martin Luther are specially marked.
Poster, spring flower festival, Luther's home town
After winter's chill and gray, the advertised spring flower festival seems designed to bolster citizens' spirits.
Flatbed printing press, similar to those used in Luther's time
Luther's 95 Theses and voluminous writings could be circulated widely and quickly as a result of printing, rather than copying by hand. This is a replica of a press used in Luther's time (1483-1546).
Original melody text, 'A Mighty Fortress is our God'
Martin Luther became renown as a hymnodist. He linked his detailed knowledge of the Bible, high art and folk music into some of the most notable hymns of the Protestant tradition.
For much of his life, Martini Luther lived in the 'Black Cloister,' a large former Augustinian monastery able to house Luther's own family, numerous students and foster children.
Luther's face became familiar through Germany because of portraits by Lucas Cranach (father and son), 15th and 16th c. painters. Their descendents still live in Wittenberg.
The late morning sun highlights the separation between the choir stalls and the altar area.
Polychrome stone virgin and adjoining wood panels, Magdeburg Cathedral
Late morning sun picks out the Virgin in the choir, Magdeburg Cathedral
Although the Magdeburg cathedral was the first Gothic cathedral in Germany, the interior looks Romanesque in design. The nave is 120 meters long, the ceiling height 32 meters.
Sandstone altarpiece (retable): Christmas vision of Bridget of Sweden, circa 1400, in the Magdeburg Cathedral. The altarpiece was created at the initiative of a Magdeburg canon who simultaneously received a stipend (prebend/benefice) serving as a canon in Lund, Sweden. On the right, at the top, there is an addition that does not derive from Bridget’s vision: an oval figure (mandorla) with Christ and the Church pictured together as a crowned couple. On the right, at the bottom, the canon donor is pictured, to the left next to him Bridget seated at a teacher’s podium (cathedra), holding the book of her visions in her hands, then Bridget in her youth (or childhood) praying to the newborn Christ child. (from https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/Literatur/Birgitta-Weihnachtsvision.html, translated by Michael Kicey)
Bronze doors in St. John's Church with reliefs and two sculptures of female figures 'War' and 'Peace' flanking the entrance.
The ensemble refers to the destruction of Magdeburg in the Thirty Year's War in 1631 and in the Second World War in 1945. (http://statues.vanderkrogt.net/object.php?record=desa023&webpage=ST)
This moving statue cuts across time, credo and culture, showing the desire of one person to care for another.
Otto von Guericke (1602-1686) was a German scientist. His major contributions came in the physics of vacuums, the discovery of an experimental method for clearly demonstrating electrostatic repulsion, and his advocacy of the reality of "action at a distance" and of "absolute space". A university named after him exists in Magdeburg.
The Magdeburg Roland is a Roland figure in front of the town hall on the Old Market in Magdeburg. The tradition of Roland figures dates back to the Middle Ages . The figures symbolized the urban liberties and the independence of each city. (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdeburger_Roland)
Statue, Otto the Great, Magdeburg market square
Otto I, "The Great," was the first Holy Roman Emperor. He is buried in the city's cathedral. Magdeburg is the capital of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The city is also well known for the 1631 Sack of Magdeburg, which sparked outrage across the Protestant world and became the worst massacre of the Thirty Years' War. Prior to it, Magdeburg was one of the largest and most prosperous German cities, and a notable member of the Hanseatic League.
Exposed organ pipes, Magdeburg cathedral
The organ contains 92 ranks of pipes, spread over four manual keyboards plus pedals.
Carved nativity misericord inside Magdeburg Cathedral
A high quality carving of the Virgin and child, date and artist unknown. A misericord is designed to give support to someone standing, e.g. a monk chanting mass.
When the main square is not being used for an open-air market, a series of small fountains play in the middle.
The multi-colored columns and lack of straight lines stand out as distinctive marks of Hundertwasser's architectural style.
Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser [professional name] was an Austrian-born New Zealand architect, many of whose major buildings were constructed in Magdeburg. Although Jewish, he survived World War II in Vienna.
"Five foolish virgins" on cathedral facade
Drawn from a parable about five wise and five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), these figures stand in the traditional position to the right of the main entrance to the cathedral.
Polychrome crucifix inside Magdeburg Cathedral
Although the cathedral is Protestant, the city of Magdeburg joined the Reformation soon after Luther posted the 95 Theses. The cathedral escaped significant damange when Magdeburg was sacked in 1631, but was heavily damaged in World War II. It was restored by 1955.
Inside the cloister, Magdeburg Cathedral
The quiet of the cloister contrasts with the larger crowds inside the cathedral.
Elaborate stone wall carving inside Magdeburg Cathedral
Georg Philipp Telemann detail, door of Magdeburg Town Hall
Telemann, a noted Baroque composer [1681-1767], is Magdeburg's most famous native son. He stood at the forefront of new musical tendencies. His music is an important link between the late Baroque and early Classical styles.
Sculpture of "Peace" outside St. John's Church in Magdeburg
Bronze doors with reliefs and two sculptures of female figures 'War' and 'Peace' flanking the entrance. The ensemble refers to the destruction of Magdeburg in the Thirty Year's War in 1631 and in the Second World War in 1945. (from: http://vanderkrogt.net/statues/object.php?webpage=ST&record=desa023)
Close-up of statue of Saint Maurice in the Magdeburg Cathedral
Saint Maurice (also Moritz, Morris, or Mauritius
Coptic: Ⲁⲃⲃⲁ Ⲙⲱⲣⲓⲥ) was the leader of the legendary Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century, and one of the favorite and most widely venerated saints of that group. He was the patron saint of several professions, locales, and kingdoms. He is also a highly revered saint in the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and other churches of Oriental Orthodoxy. (from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Maurice)
Statue of Saint Maurice in the Magdeburg Cathedral
Substantially restored since reunification, the Sanssouci Palace was constructed in Rococo style. More than two million people visit the palace and its extensive grounds annually. The arcade near the Palace contains fine metalwork.
Shoppers throng this street, closed to all traffic except for bicycles.
Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Berlin, Germany.
A statue of Friedrich Wilhelm I graces the courtyard of Charlottenburg Palace
The sign indicates that Potsdam is also capital of one of Germany's states.