German Wine Route: Speyer
Speyer, although not in today's winegrowing region, once was the centre of the Salian dynasty and the Holy Roman Empire and although it is not a main tourist attraction it is a pleasant small town to visit.
The imperial cathedral of Speyer is the largest romanesque church worldwide and an UNESCO World heritage site. The laying of the foundation stone dates back to 1030. It is the burial place of 4 Emperors and 4 kings of the Salian dynasty.
Speyer is a diocesan town and bishops are mentioned back to 346.
Speyer Cathedral seen from the north
Speyer cathedral seen from the east
Medieval stainless steel?
East of the cathedral is the Heidentürmchen, literally translated the `small heathlands tower`, a remaining tower of the former town fortification wall, located on a small hide on the former riverbanks of the Rhine river.
Heidentuermchen, town fortification
North of the cathedral is the - rather small - old town of Speyer with some interesting and old framwork buildings.
Framework buildings north of cathedral
Old town of Speyer - north of cathedral