Heiko Wagner - To the top of the Muenster

To the top of the Muenster

Sunday, April 29, 2007 9:24:58 PM

Some days ago I was in the city center together with my family. Well I had a little bit time so I considered what to do there. Maybe shopping? Do I need something? Hmmm not really. So I thought why not to go to the top of the famous Muenster cathedrale.
I was only one times in my life on the top and there I was 10 years old.

(I'm not sure with the age).
Well I guess that's embarrassing for someone who lives near Ulm so I decided to do it.

The Muenster cathedrale is very famous because it's the tallest church in the world. The ecclesiastical architecture is in Gothic style.
It's steeple measuring 161.53 m high and containing 768 steps.

The entrance costs are about 4 Euro for adults.
Well - so I started to climb up to the steeple. The strenuous way to the top costs some time.
You have to go through old stone passageways which are very closely.

The final stairell to the top is a spiraling staircase which is very tall. There is only enough space for one person. So it's always a funny situation when you climb up and someone other comes back down from the top.
So maybe a little bit difficult for people who suffer claustrophobia.
I needed about 12 minutes from the first step on the floor to the last one on the top. I only stopped 4-5 times for some seconds to took some photos. (BTW: The rest of my photos I took on the top and on the way back).
Well after 768 steps I really felt a little bit tired.

It seems I'm not fit.

On the top of the steeple there is a fantastic panoramic view where you can see the whole scenery around.

And of course you can see all parts of Ulm (which is located in German state of Baden-Württemberg) and Neu-Ulm (which is located in Bavaria).
Ulm and Neu-Ulm (means New Ulm) are "twin-cities". The river Donau (Danube) is the border between both German states there. Ooops... back to the topic now.

When there are good weather conditions (foehn) you can even see a vista of the Alpine range. Really a beautiful view.

On the way back I walked more slowly because there were more other persons who climbed up. And I also took more photos there.

Well this was my second time on the top. Hmmm let's see how much time I need to visit it again.

I added more photos in my album about Ulm. It starts on the second page there. Hope you like it.

Best wishes,
Heiko

Knut, the little polar bearI'm back

Comments

白苹小江vrihi # Monday, April 30, 2007 11:59:56 PM

汉克很厉害嘛，爬了那么长时间，拍下了这么漂亮的照片，我所在城市的教堂都不高，数量也不多。

Chu Yuhozariski # Tuesday, May 1, 2007 2:40:48 AM

Good place with great scenery.
I wish I could go there

Aprilsnow 四月雪Aprilsnow # Tuesday, May 1, 2007 6:54:17 AM

It's a beautiful post, more interesting than reading a tourist book.

Now I know the highest Cathedral is in Ulm, Germany rather than in France! And its name is Muenster Cathedrale! Haha, I also learned the word ecclesiastical.

Gothic architecture is fascinating. I once read somewhere that during the mid and late medieval period, European churches competed with each other to build the highest cathedrals in belief that the higher they built the closer they were to God.

As a result, cathedrals erupted like forests throughout Europe. And it had a strong and lasting impact on European architecture!

Climbing a 161.53 m high 768 step steeple in 12 minutes?

I am not claustrophobic, but I might get dizzy and fall after many turns!

The panoramic view of Ulm is really beautiful. I like the red roofs, they make the city so alive and colorful.

It's a long comment already, I could say more

because it's very interesting... but I will stop here for now, save the rest for next time.

Thank you very much Heiko for sharing with us.

祝你好心情!
Aprilsnow

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:00:44 AM

你好 XiaoPan,
thank you very much you like my pictures.

I hope it was an interesting topic for my blog. That was also a reason why I climbed up to the top.

Best wishes. 祝你好运!
Heiko 汉克

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:04:04 AM

Hello 유호,
thanks a lot!

I like the scenery there, too.
I hope you can visit Ulm and Germany somewhere in future!

Best wishes,
Heiko

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Tuesday, May 1, 2007 11:27:53 AM

你好 Aprilsnow,
thank you very much for your long comment!

I'm very glad it's interesting for you and you like it!

I like the panoramic view, too. Red house roofs are very very common here in Germany.

Hehe for the word "ecclesiastical" I also used a dictionary. I didn't know before as well.

I also read about that reason why much churches became so high in Europe. I think so, too.
The work/construction of the Muenster began in 1377. But there was a very long period with no further building activity. Finally completed it was in 1890.

Well it's really a strenuous way to the top.

But I was only one times in my life on the top and I also hoped it's an interesting blog topic.

Best wishes. 祝你好运!
Heiko 汉克

Aprilsnow 四月雪Aprilsnow # Wednesday, May 2, 2007 4:43:34 AM

Really?

Why did it take so long to complete the construction? There were 513 years in between! Unbelievable! There must be a story.

I think even though it was a strenuous climb, it was worth it, see, you have brought us an interesting post!

祝你好心情!

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Wednesday, May 2, 2007 8:56:34 PM

你好 Aprilsnow,
There happened different reasons.

The first phase of construction was 1377-1543. 1530/1531 Ulm citizens decided with a large majority to convert from Catholic to Protestantism.
1543 there also happened some domestically frictions. Because of this frictions, the reformation (Catholic --> Protestantism) and also because of not enough money (I read because of the Schmalkaldian war) the construction stopped for nearly 300 years.
In this time the "main steeple" was 100m high.

The second phase of construction was in 1844-1890. 31. May 1890 it was completely finished.
Maybe an other interesting information I read in the past. During world 2 in Ulm was much destroyed. But not the Muenster cathedrale. I read there was a reason. In Ulm it's very often foggy in spring, autumn and winter. Because of this fog and the height of the cathedrale it was an important point of reference for pilots. Therefore the Muenster was too important and they didn't destroy the cathedrale.

Oh by the way when I mention "fog" and "Ulm". A funny insider name of Ulm is "capital of the fog".

I'm glad it's an interesting post for you.

祝你好运!
Heiko 汉克

Aprilsnow 四月雪Aprilsnow # Thursday, May 3, 2007 6:44:07 AM

How interesting?! Muenster Cathedrale was saved because of fog! your explanation makes perfect sense. Maybe some believers would say it was God who saved the church?

I didn't know Ulm was much destroyed in WW II, war is terrible. I am going to find a map to see where Ulm is located. I have always been curious about to what extent Germany was destroyed in WW II.

Aha, another interesting point you brought up is REFORMATION, from Catholic to Protestantism. As you may know Christianity is foreign to Chinese culture, its history is so complicated, full of struggles... but at least I know now Ulm is an ancient city!

Thank you very much Heiko for bringing up many interesting points, it makes learning more intuitive.

祝你好心情！
Aprilsnow

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Thursday, May 3, 2007 7:55:36 PM

你好 Aprilsnow,
I'm very glad it's so an interesting topic for you.

It seems it was a good decision to write a blog posting about the Muenster.

Ulm is located in the south between Muenchen (Munich) and Stuttgart. It's almost in the middle.

Well Ulm was much destroyed after WW II. (Similar like other cities in Germany). I don't remember where, but I saw some photos about Ulm after WW II. Much parts were bombed. Even around the Muenster I heard.
I agree, war is always terrible. I hope such terrible will never happen again in all countries.

You are right, Ulm is a very ancient and traditional city. My most favorite place is the old part called "Fischerviertel" (Fishermans quarter).
Ulm is full of old cultures and customs. I will write more posts about in future.

祝你好运!
Heiko 汉克

Aprilsnow 四月雪Aprilsnow # Friday, May 4, 2007 4:49:40 AM

It's great that you will write more about ancient cultures and customs in the future, I like both!

Yap, I found where Ulm is on this map too, it's in south of Germany! and quite close to Switzerland. But I can't find Alps on the map, is it close?

I read a little about Reformation also. Haha, Martin Luther was a German! He was a monk, priest, professor, theologian, and of curse a church reformer, and he got married! I think one of the difference between Catholic fathers and protestant priests is that the fathers can't get married but the priests can. Am I right?

It's fun learning! Danke schön! Heiko.

祝你好心情！

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Saturday, May 5, 2007 11:11:12 PM

你好四月雪
不客气.

I'm glad you found Ulm on the map.

Well the alps are not very close. You can see a alpine range only when we have very very good weather conditions here. But then you can see sometimes a small silhouette of the alps.

Yeah, you are right with both. Martin Luther was a German and catholic priests are not allowed to marry. Everything you wrote here is correct!

祝你好运!
Heiko 汉克

malonrose # Sunday, May 6, 2007 7:23:37 AM

hi,heiko,
what a wonderful your illusrtation is!the photos bring me a kind of fresh feeling. i have learnt more about the Ulm in this blog.i think the Muensterit like a sea is a good place to release one from his nervous work .

galadriel # Sunday, May 6, 2007 10:24:59 AM

G'Day Heiko!

Wow, the church looks so beautiful! I really want to go to Germany again!!!!! First, I need a job!

Thanks for sharing your photos with us

Unregistered user # Sunday, May 6, 2007 10:55:42 AM

Numi writes: Ooooooh, das ist wirklich schoen!!!Auch das Wetter war schoen, nicht wahr?Als ich in Ulm war, das Wetter leider nicht so schoen war...;_;Es war wilklich schade...ABER!!!Jetzt kann ich Ulm im guten Wetter von deiner Fotos erfahrt.Ich bin zufrieden.Irgendwann moechte ich noch mal Ulm besuchen!!!Ich bin sicher, dass ich nicht zur Turm gehen will...,weil es sehr hoch ist^^;

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Sunday, May 6, 2007 1:06:44 PM

你好 xioagu
谢谢! Thanks a lot!

I'm very glad you got fresh feeling because of my posting!

On the top you can really enjoy. There is no much space but it's beautiful there. But the way to the top of the steeple is "a little bit" strenuous.

祝你好运!
Heiko 汉克

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Sunday, May 6, 2007 1:09:52 PM

Hi Galadriel,
thanks a lot!

I'm glad you like it. I really hope you get a job and enough money soon to come to Germany again!

I'll cross my fingers for you!

Best wishes,
Heiko

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Sunday, May 6, 2007 1:18:26 PM

Hallo Numi,
vielen Dank!

Es freut mich, dass dir meine Fotos gefallen!^^ Das Wetter war wirklich sehr schoen. Es war sehr sonnig und warm.

Es ist schade, dass das Wetter bei deinem letzten Besuch in Ulm sehr schlecht war. ;_; Dann war es wohl auch etwas neblig?

Ich hoffe, dass du Ulm noch einmal bei schoenem Wetter besuchen kannst!

Ich denke es lohnt sich immer wieder zu kommen, da es hier viel zu besichtigen gibt.

Aber nicht alle wollen auf den Turm gehen, da es auch sehr anstrengend ist.^^

Jaa, matane
ハイコ

欧阳珊珊 Koma WingKoma Wing # Sunday, May 6, 2007 2:09:55 PM

lala~~~~~~~~~~~lala~~~~~~~~~~~~~

l want stand in there with WD ~~~~

Bugler's Holiday !!

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Sunday, May 6, 2007 3:46:47 PM

你好 Koma,
sound like you have much fun at the moment.

I searched "Bugler's Holiday" in Youtube. Now I know what it is.

祝你好运!
Heiko 汉克

Aprilsnow 四月雪Aprilsnow # Wednesday, May 9, 2007 4:42:43 AM

Danke schön! Heiko. If you can see alpine range with bare eyes, that means it's not too far away! I can't see it even with a telescope.

Coming back to Schmalkaldian War, or Schmalkaldic War, it seems to be a religious war?! I read -- "protestant states of the Holy Roman Empire formed a Schmalkaldic League in 1531 in Germany to defend the newly formed Lutheran churches from attack by the Catholic emperor Charles V. Fearing that the league would ally itself with his enemy, Francis I of France, Charles gave it de facto recognition until 1544, when he made peace with Francis. Charles then moved against the league militarily and by 1547 had effectively destroyed it."

Is it true that most of the wars fought in Europe in medieval age were religious wars?

A lot to learn! Too many questions already, I will stop here.

祝你好心情！

四月雪

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Sunday, May 13, 2007 6:38:30 PM

你好 Aprilsnow,
hehe maybe it's not sooo far away.

But with normal weather conditions I can't see an alpine range here.

Well about Schmalkaldian war I don't know soooo much. But I researched a little bit in Wikipedia.

But you are right. Much wars in Europe in medieval age were with a religious background. I guess there were many wars because of religion. Very strange, ne? Because most religions impart peace and freedom.

Ohh you have too many question? Hehe feel free for new question.

祝你好运!
Heiko 汉克

PS. I'm very sorry for my late reply. There is a difficult situation with my grandpa at the moment...

欧阳珊珊 Koma WingKoma Wing # Thursday, May 17, 2007 11:06:17 AM

wo~~~~~~~something happend l felt very sad .

best wishes

Koma

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Thursday, May 17, 2007 3:26:16 PM

你好 Koma,
Oh I'm sorry to hear that... But I hope you feel happy now.

祝你好运!
Heiko 汉克

欧阳珊珊 Koma WingKoma Wing # Friday, May 18, 2007 12:48:56 PM

Thank you Heiko

Ulie_Juggins # Saturday, May 19, 2007 2:34:03 PM

Awesum place!!
Had fun?

Aprilsnow 四月雪Aprilsnow # Friday, May 25, 2007 3:54:53 AM

Hi Heiko,

I am very sorry to hear your grandpa's situation, hope everything will go well. Wish you and your family the best luck!

Thank you and no more questions for now.

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Thursday, November 1, 2007 9:44:24 PM

Hello Ulie,
I'm sorry for my late reply. Thanks a lot for your comment.

It's really an awesome place there. I remember I really had much fun there. I really recommend to you to visit Ulm and the Muenster cathedrale.

Best wishes,
Heiko

Heiko WagnerRyuu # Thursday, November 1, 2007 9:46:36 PM

你好 Aprilsnow,
I'm sorry for my late reply. Thank you very much for your warm words and wishes. Everything is ok. My family is ok now and this is so important for me.

祝你好运!

Heiko 汉克

Aprilsnow 四月雪Aprilsnow # Friday, November 2, 2007 6:50:35 AM

You are welcome, I am very glad 汉克 is back!

祝你和你的家人好运!