10/09/2019 Wednesday Bonn, Germany

10/9/2019, Wednesday. Bonn, Germany.  Grand Circle River Cruise Day 11, Total travel 44.  Ave. Temp.  61 high, 46 low. Ave. weather - clouds 41%, 27% rain.  Phone says I walked 22,554 steps for 10.2 miles and climbed 8 floors. 

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner • Accommodations: River Ship

Germany A Nation of Immigrants discussion

TOUR INFO "After breakfast, gather for a walking tour of Bonn’s Old Town, where you’ll see the Baroque City Walls, Romanesque Basilica, and Beethoven’s memorial. Founded by the Romans, Bonn was the provisional capital of West Germany from the years following World War II until Germany’s reunification in 1990. Today, Bonn is home to numerous museums and gardens, as well as a large student population who live near the University of Bonn’s campus.  Following lunch onboard, and the rest of the day is at leisure to explore Bonn’s many treasures on your own.  In the afternoon, you’re invited to join an Exclusive Discovery Series discussion highlighting Germany’s history of immigration."

My info.

Bonn is on the banks of the Middle Rhine.  It was a Roman settlement in the 1st century BC.  Bonn’s Roman fort remains the largest fort of its type known from the ancient world.  It covered 62 acres.  Baroque buildings were constructed in the 1700’s and still give the city its character.  

I was up early this morning and the sky was pink, a hint of sun for the first time in days.  I went out and walked around in a nearby neighborhood to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.  Sadly, it did not last long.  It drizzled on us for a short time on our guided tour.  Everything is a bit off today as an 86-year-old female passenger passed away in the night.  Her 89-year-old husband is lost without her, as she took care of him.  

On a brighter note, a lady stopped me on the street when I was returning to the ship.  She asked if I spoke English.  I said yes and I told her I was on her ship.  She wanted to know which way to go.  I did know how to return to the ship, so I walked back with her  and her friend which was a good thing as I was probably going to buy an ice cream I did not need.

Bonn’s Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) is of rococo design with an ornate facade including a guilded staircase.  It was built between 1737-1780.  The mansard roof is topped with dormers.    Saw this and pictures below on the guided tour this morning.  

Ludwig von Beethoven’s Monument, a 19th century bronze statue, is in the Munsterplatz near the Bonn Minster. 

Bonn Minster is one of the oldest churches in Germany.  It is a Romanesque Roman Catholic Church built between the 11th and 13th centuries.  It has five spires (one central and four corners) and the height is 81 meters. The Minster was not open due to construction.

Two spires are under construction at the Bonn Minster.  

Beethoven House is a memorial and museum honoring his birthplace. It has a piano he used, some other musical instruments, and his glasses. 

These are my pictures from my afternoon outing.  

Poppelsdorfer Allee is a tree-lined street that connects Kurfurstliches Schloss and the Poppelsdorfer Schloss.  Poppelsdorfer Schloss is a resort palace built for prince-electors in the early 18th century.  The grounds are now the botanical garden (Botanischer Garten Bonn).

Poppelsdorfer Allee I walked along this park-like area on my way to the Botanical Gardens this afternoon.

  

Botanical Garden was lovely although nothing was blooming.  Many paths and green houses are on site.  Much construction is underway at the University Buildings that were Prince Elector’s Palace.  

This was a drinking game taking place in the Poppelsdorfer Allee.  Each player had a bottle of beer on the ground in front of him.  There were two balls being tossed back and forth between the two sides and there are two containers of beer in the open area between them.   I did not figure out the rules, but they were having a great time. 

Quite a number of Baroque buildings found in a neighborhood near the Botanical Garden.   Bonn's Sudstadt is an architectural jewel and considered one of Germany's well-preserved Grunderzeit quarters.  Elaborately decorated villas line the streets.  See ornaments and stucco elements.   Grunderzeit was a result of the Industrial Age and the lives of Germans steadily improved.  

  

Another bright note below!

The only HARIBO store in the world.  The candies are made in Bonn.  

Places to consider Bonn Library (Stadtbibliotek Bonn).  Bonn University.  Bonn’s local brewery is Bonnsch Brauhaus.  Sterntor (Star Gate) is left over from Medieval Fortification and has been reconstructed when moved to make a street wider.  There are four major museums.  

The largest park is on the banks of the Rhine.  The Rhine promenade and the Alter Zoll (Old Toll Station) are near city center.