Rostock Part II ~~~~ Auf Wiedersehen Germany

We continued to wander around attractive Rostock until late afternoon, stopping for a sandwich 

in an outdoor cafe, people watching over a coffee…

…and noting this very ornate frontage for TK Maxx (in the US known as TJ Maxx), 

we have nothing as elegant as this for a chain store venue.

Enjoyed visiting two historical churches……

St. Petrikirche (St. Peter's Church) in the oldest part of the town, started as a wooden church in the 

13th century, followed by a brick Gothic construction with a 380ft tower which served as a 

landmark for sailors for centuries. Air raids destroyed the tower and part of the church in 1942. 

After a long wait of 52 years, the tower was rebuilt to a height of 410ft, still the main landmark 

from the Baltic Sea.

We had a giggle walking down a cobblestone lane from the church when we stopped to view the colorful and quite unexpected murals - note the nudes enjoying the Bacchanalian-style feast.

Above, the beautiful St. Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church) was begun in the mid-13th century, but collapsed in 1398. The present building in late Gothic style contains a fascinating astronomical clock behind the altar dating back to 1472. It is amazingly elaborate and still works, able to predict phases of the moon with absolute accuracy - it is the oldest remaining piece of its kind. 

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Later, a quick 20 min. ride back to Warnemunde - how we loved the comfy, spotlessly clean 

train and tram - then embarked Queen Victoria for the early evening sail away.

The people were out in force to wave us off…………from land and at sea.

It's not until you see small watercraft - here a car ferry and a Zodiac boat - up against a cruise ship,
that you can truly see/feel the difference in size!

…note the lighthouse, built in 1897 and still in use.

Beach still busy as the sun went down - it stays lighter much later in this part of Europe 

during the Summer months which is great for outdoor evenings on the water, entertainment etc.

Views from our balcony as we sailed away assisted by the Pilot boat.

Loved this sunny, fun part of Germany - certainly beat the Frankfurt airport!

Next port of call ~~~~~~ Copenhagen, Denmark.

See you there I hope!

Rostock Part I ~ Sunday in the Park

Medieval Rostock appears smaller than it really is due to miles of undulating countryside and forests around the town. Sadly some of the magnificent buildings were destroyed in WWII, however you can still see grand marketplaces, bridges, city ramparts and gates. Even the newer buildings were designed in the traditional style of red brick and stepped gables. 

Rostock has the distinction of being Northern Germany's oldest university town and has a top school for the performing arts…..and apparently brews an excellent beer.

That said, we did notice Rostock's complement of artistic public places, so clean and displaying some beautiful statuary, such as the park fountains which had become climbing, and resting, places for the locals enjoying their Sunday afternoon. The town center is relatively compact so it was easy to take in many sites during our enjoyable couple of hours of walking.

Can you imagine a warm 'day in the park' here - the atmosphere was really wonderful…….

……foot tapping music enjoyed by all age groups……

…and the huge community family picnic set up in the lovely colorful square….

The pedestrian shopping area……..

We loved Sunday in the Park here - and having spectacular weather with such 

blue skies made it perfect.

Part II coming soon.