I made three trips to Germany during the years I lived in Naples, Italy. I also took a lot of 35mm photos during those trips, which are still waiting to be digitized. Meanwhile, in 2019 Winnie and I took a trip to Northern Germany together. On this trip we started in Wiesbaden, as my niece Tiara was living and working there.
This ended up being a two-country trip as we made a three-night side trip down to Rome as well. Over six days we toured Frankfurt and surrounding communities, then rented a car and drove up into The Netherlands and back down to Berlin. With lots of sightseeing stops along the way.
Photo Gallery
Towns and cities featured: Wiesbaden, Mainz, Idstein
The Witch Tower of Idstein
The Hexenturm (Witch Tower), a medi structure located in the old center of Idstein. Originally built around 1170 as a watchtower, it was later used during witch trials in the late 1600s, where 43 people were executed. It was renovated to its present appearance around 1810. The structure includes walls over two meters thick.
A Clock Tower in Idstein
This tower is part of a church, situated near other landmarks like the Hexenturm (Witches' Tower).
The "Gasthof zur Peif" in Old Town of Idstein
The "Gasthof zur Peif" in the historic Old Town of Idstein, another classic example of German half-timbered (Fachwerkhaus) architecture
A Street Scene in Idstein
Looking down a cobblestone street lined with 16th-centurt half-timbered buildings
Tight Parking Under An Old Wall
The one constant of any old European town is lack of car parking. People tend to get very creative in where they park cars. Judging by the tree growing out of the stone, this nich seems to have been around a very long time,
The Unionskirche (Union Church) in Idstein
This Protestant church was one of the first important church buildings constructed in the Duchy of Nassau after the Thirty Years' War. This church is located at Martin-Luther-Straße 1, in the city center.
The Deutsches Haus in Idstein
A popular restaurant currently operating from the Deutsches Haus
Walking the Streets of Idstein
I spotted this interesting chimney topped with metal sculpture birds.
Tucked Between Two Houses
Another street scene, this one a modern, narrow infill house built between traditional buildings
A Street Scene in Idstein
Walking around a Idstein I spotted this half-timbered house, known as a Fachwerkhaus.
Ron And Tiara
Ron and his niece Tiara near the Schiefes Haus of Idstein. It was misting rain the day we visited. Photo taken by Winnie Charest
A Street Scene in Idstein
A Street Scene in Idstein
The Kanzleitor (Chancery Gate) of Idstein Castle
This gatehouse was built in 1497 and served as the main entrance to the castle district of Idstein Castle
A Fountain in the Courtyard of Idstein Castle
This fountain is a stone-carved basin, a common feature in European town squares and castle courtyards for communal water access. Idstein Castle dates back to the 11th century and has served as a residence for the Counts of Nassau.
A View of The Witch Tower
The Hexenturm (Witch Tower), a medi structure located in the old center of Idstein. Originally built around 1170 as a watchtower, it was later used during witch trials in the late 1600s, where 43 people were executed. The Hotel Felsenkeller is in the foreground.
A Traditional German Half-Timbered House in Idstein
The town of Idstein was mostly undamaged through WWI, and preserves its traditional architecture of half-timbered houses, commonly known as a Fachwerkhaus. These buildings date back to medi and historic German architecture, with some examples centuries old.
The Jagdschloss Platte, a former hunting lodge outside Wiesbaden
Built between 1823 and 1826 as a neoclassical residence for the von Nassau family. Jagdschloss Platte hunting lodge was almost completely destroyed during World War II, leaving only the outer walls. It was rebuilt starting in 1989 and was capped with a modern glass roof in 2003.
Market Church, the Main Protestant Church in Wiesbaden
The Marktkirche (Market Church), the main Protestant church in Wiesbaden, A Neo-Gothic brick building located on the central Schlossplatz, it was designed by architect Carl Boos and constructed between 1853 and 1862. At the time of it's construction, it was the largest brick structure in the Duchy of Nassau.
Another View of Marktkirche (Market Church)
Another View of the Marktkirche (Market Church) of Wiesbaden. In addition to its soaring towers the church has a carillon consisting of nearly 50 bells.
Interior of the Marktkirche (Market Church) in Wiesbaden
An interior view of the Marktkirche (Market Church) in Wiesbaden
Interior of the Marktkirche (Market Church) in Wiesbaden
An interior view of the Marktkirche (Market Church) in Wiesbaden
The Roman Gate and Adjacent Heathens' Wall of Wiesbaden
The historic Römertor (Roman Gate) and the adjacent Heidenmauer (Heathens' Wall) located in central Wiesbaden. The stone walls are part of a Roman fortification built around 370 AD during the reign of Emperor Valentinian I. The covered wooden bridge on top of the gate was constructed in 1902-1903 to allow road access through the historic wall. This complex is part of a museum of Roman engineering in Wiesbaden.
Door Set Into the Heathen Wall in Wiesbaden
An interesting arched masonry doorway with planked wooden door. Set into the Heidenmauer (Heathens' Wall) in Wiesbaden
Ron at the Heathen Wall with Roman Gate in Wiesbaden
Ron exploring the Heidenmauer mit Römertor (Heathen Wall with Roman Gate) in Wiesbaden. This is a remnant of the Roman wall built around 370 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Valentinian I. Notice the interesting contrast between ancient stone architecture and the arch with modern street lighting and contemporary graffiti.
Fountain At the Base of The Market Column in Wiesbaden
This fountain forms the base of the Marktsäule (Market Column) in Wiesbaden. Located in the city center on Schlossplatz, in front of the Wiesbaden City Hall, it was designed by the architect Friedrich von Thiersch and constructed in the late 19th century. This column is surrounded by outdoor seating for nearby restaurants and cafes.
Modern Plaza in Wiesbaden
A modern plaza in the lovely town of Wiesbaden
City Center of Wiesbaden
The city center of Wiesbaden, surrounded by the Parliament, New Town Hall, and the Market Church. We happened to visit during the annual ten-day Rheingau Wine Week festival.
A View of the Historic Center of Wiesbaden
Looking over the tents of the ten-day Rheingau Wine Week festival of Palace Square on Wiesbaden city center. The New Town Hall (Rathaus) is on the left and the Marktkirche: (main Protestant church) on the right.
New Town Hall in Wiesbaden
The New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) in Wiesbaden constructed between 1884 and 1887 in neo-Renaissance style. A large main gable was lost during WWII.
Large Fountain in Wiesbaden
A large stone fountain in the Palace Square on Wiesbaden city center
Winnie in Wiesbaden
Winnie standing next to a large fountain set in Palace Square on Wiesbaden city center
Sampling the Wine
Ron and Winnie sampling the wines of the Rheingau Wine Week festival of Palace Square on Wiesbaden city center
Tiara and Ron and Winnie
Niece Tiara with Ron and Winnie at the Rheingau Wine Week festival in Palace Square, Wiesbaden
Mainz Cathedral in Mainz
Mainz Cathedral (Mainzer Dom), located in the historic center of Mainz, near the Liebfrauenplatz. This is a Romanesque structure built primarily from red sandstone, featuring a distinctive six-towered design. Construction started in 975 AD, and it has served as a coronation venue for kings. Emperor Frederick I initiated the Third Crusade from here in 1188.
Historic Wood Tower, located in Mainz
Gothic-styled Holzturm (Wood Tower), a historic landmark located in Mainz. Dating back to the early 15th century, this tower is one of the three remaining towers from the original city walls of Mainz.
Historic Wood Tower, located in Mainz
Another view of the Gothic-styled Holzturm (Wood Tower), a historic landmark located in Mainz.
A Residential Building in Mainz
A narrow residential building on a city street corner in the old town area of Mainz. The tracks of teh city trolly co-exist with the street.
St. Stephan's Church in Mainz
The main tower of St. Stephan's Church (Stephanskirche) in Mainz. Established around the year 990 by Archbishop Willigis, the current Gothic structure was built in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The church was heavily damaged during World War II and was painstakingly restored in the post-war years. It is most famous for its its stained-glass windows, designed by the Jewish artist Marc Chagall.
Street Scene in the Old Town Area of Mainz
A view of city life and a street scene in the old town area of Mainz
A Building Located on Gaustraße in Mainz
One of the many lovely buildings built in traditional style, common in the old town area of Mainz.
Historic Market Square in Old Town Mainz
The facade of Old Pharmacy Lions, facing the historic Market Square (Markt), in the Old Town section of Mainz. The square has served as a center for commerce and gathering for over 1,000 years. Mainz is known as Germany's wine capital. This pharmacy has been in this building since 1603.
The Zum Aschaffenberg house in Mainz
The Zum Aschaffenberg house, a historic half-timbered house typical for this region of Germany.
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The Houses of Idstein
A special gallery dedicated to the lovely half-timbered buildings of Idstein
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