Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) in Germany

On February 19, 2021February 19, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Germany6 Comments

There are many cathedrals in Europe that were built in the gothic architecture and the Cologne Cathedral in Germany is definitely one of the more stunning examples. To say that the cathedral dominates the skyline of Cologne would be an understatement as it is clearly the focal point from wherever you are standing. If you enter or pass through Cologne via the train, you certainly can’t miss the cathedral as it is literally a few hundred meters from the train station. It is the tallest twin-spire church in Europe and draws thousands of visitors from around the world on an annual basis.

The cathedral was undergoing renovations at the time of our visit as the stones of the church had turned black over time, but are now being renewed to their original luster. The details of façade are overwhelming as there are so many interesting features to see as you walk the grounds of the cathedral. Although the city has put height restrictions in place to ensure that the cathedral remains the highest structure in the area, the Museum Ludwig sits very near the cathedral. It is a strange juxtaposition between the historic cathedral and the modern buildings that house contemporary art.

Construction began on the cathedral in 1248, but was not fully completed until 1880. There was no work done on the cathedral between the late 15th century and the 19th century, but when construction resumed, it was completed based upon the original plans. It is currently a UNESCO World Heritage site and certainly one of the most magnificent cathedrals in all of Europe. During the evenings, the sides of church are lit up so that it virtually glows against the night sky.

There are many reasons to visit Cologne with its medieval old town, museums, and waterfront district, but the Cologne Cathedral or Kölner Dom is most certainly the highlight of any visit. Viewing the gothic architecture, the stained glass windows, and impressive buttresses is something that you will never forget. The Cologne Cathedral is certainly one of the finest examples of a medieval church to be found anywhere in the world.

German-Style Braised Red Cabbage with Apples

On January 27, 2021January 27, 2021 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Germany, Recipes5 Comments

One of the side dishes that we enjoyed quite often while in Germany was braised red cabbage with apples. It was slightly sweeter than the braised cabbage that we were used to having and found it to be quite refreshing. We had it served with schnitzel, pot roast, duck, and other meats as it is a perfect compliment to gamier entrees. The only other side dish that we had as often as red cabbage was spätzle, which was often served along with the red cabbage. We served it with our pan-seared duck with a cherry compote, which was a wonderful combination. We used a granny-smith apple, but it could be done with any other apple that holds up to cooking. It was definitely a meal that reminded us of our time in Europe.

INGREDIENTS

1 Medium Red Onion – thinly sliced
1 Head Red Cabbage – cored and sliced
1 Granny-Smith Apple – cored and cut into 1/2 inch slices
2 cups Chicken Broth – preferably homemade
1/2 cup Apple Juice
1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbsp Granulated Sugar
2 to 3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the onions and about a teaspoon of salt. Cook the onions until they are tender and translucent, about 7 to 8 minutes. Add the cabbage, apple, chicken broth, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper to the onions and stir to mix. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook until the cabbage for an hour.

What to See When Spending a Weekend in Nuremberg, Germany

On November 13, 2020November 13, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn GermanyLeave a comment

We took the train from Frankfurt to Nuremberg during the first week of January during our time in Germany. It was more or less a spur of the moment trip, so we hadn’t researched anything about Nuremberg before deciding to go there. We loved living in Germany as we would pull up the train app on a Thursday and book a trip for Friday and away we would go. It was a quick trip and very cold at the time, but we had a wonderful time there. As with any trip, just relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere of the city is the most important thing, but there are a few places that should not be missed when visiting Nuremberg.

Nuremberg Castle – The castle in Nuremberg is a must location to visit for a variety of reasons. First of all, since it sits above the city central, as many castles do, it provides wonderful views of the city. It is also part castle, part fortress, and part medieval village. Whether just walking along the fortress walls and enjoying the views or going through the castle rooms, you can easily spend a couple of hours touring the castle grounds.

The Most Stunning Feature Inside of the Church

Gothic Architecture of the St. Lorenz Church

Saint Lorenz Church – As with many cities in Europe, the main cathedral dominates the skyline and is worth taking time to visit. Although the church was originally a Catholic cathedral, it was converted to a Lutheran church after the reformation. With wonderful artwork and typical gothic architecture, it is certainly worth spending about an hour visiting the church.

The Nuremberg Trial Courthouse – You don’t need to be a history buff to visit the famous courthouse in Nuremberg where the trials of the leaders of the Nazi party were held following the end of WWII. It is a stark reminder of the horrors that people are capable of when their power is left unchecked. It was also probably the most notable use of international law to punish those who committed the atrocities of the Holocaust as well as other war crimes. The courthouse is a short distance from the old town area of Nuremberg, but it is worth taking the time to visit this famous location.

Old Town – We found a wonderful little boutique hotel in the Old Town area of Nuremberg called the Hotel Drei Raben (the three ravens). It was the perfect location to tour the medieval old town area of Nuremberg and simply walk the historic streets and walk along the Pegnitz, which is the river that runs through the city. There are many wonderful restaurants and pubs to enjoy as well, especially when needing to find some warmth on a cold winter day.

We truly enjoyed our time in Nuremberg, perhaps partially due to not having any preconceived expectations prior to our arrival. Our trip there was very short as we really only had one full day in Nuremberg, but we certainly made the most of it.