Worms

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Worms was founded by the Burgundians in 413, but they were driven out by Attila the Hun in 436. At the turn of the 7th century, two Visigoth princesses who were sisters married kings from different parts of the Merovingian empire. Apparently they vied for power and the subsequent war killed all four of the two couples. These two events were combined in the Nibelungenlied, Germany’s national epic which is also the basis for Wagner’s Ring Cycle opera. The ancient town is also famous for the Diet (Imperial Parliament), which declared Martin Luther an outlaw in 1521. Much of the old city was destroyed in wars with the French, but there are still many relics to be found.


Red Snapper approaches the drive through Tortum (city gate).


The front of the cathedral.


I’m lichen these mossy steps.


James at the cathedral entrance.


A model of the cathedral with the Bishop’s residence, which was destroyed in wars with the French.


A cryptic kiss.


This reliquary allegedly holds the femur of a saint. Whatever it is, they sure must not want it to get out!


The adjacent Heylofgarten, the Imperial palace that once stood here was the scene of the Diet at which Luther refused to renounce his views and was forced into exile.


A mural depicting the trial of Luther.


A surviving piece of the palace.


James and Kat at the waterfall (temporarily closed for winter).


The Lutherdenkmal, where Luther is flanked by Frederick the Wise of Saxony and Philip the Magnanimous of Hesse, whose support of Luther made the reformation a practical reality.


Part of the old city wall.


I think this is a monument to the person who invented the pretzel.


Worms has the oldest Jewish cemetery in Germany, one tombstone dates back to 1076.


Happy trails until the next adventure!

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