Speyer, Germany

Friday November 11 and its St Martin's day. St Martin was known as friend of children and a patron of the poor. This holiday originated in France, then spread throughout Europe. It celebrates the end of the agrarian year and harvesting. Originally there was fasting three days a week from the day after Saint Martin's Day. In the 6th century, local councils required fasting on all days except Saturdays and Sundays from Saint Martin's Day to Epiphany. This period of fasting was later shortened and called Advent by the Church.

Town of Speyer 

In Germany children walk in processions carrying lanterns, which they made in school, and sing St Martin songs. Usually, the walk starts at a church and goes to a public square. A man on horseback dressed like St. Martin accompanies the children. When they reach the square, Martin's bonfire is lit and Martin's pretzels are distributed. Along the Rhine they light bonfires which can go on for miles. We then visit the remains of the Jewish area of Speyer. Today, the ruins are conserved and allow a glimpse into Jewish life during Speyer’s Medieval and later days. The Mikwe is said to be the biggest and best preserved ritual bath in Germany, some 10 m below ground.

Today we have some time for taking it easy while we cruise to Speyer, Germany which has approximately 50,000 people.  Founded by the Romans, it is one of Germany's oldest cities and in 1990 it celebrated it 2,000th anniversary. The first known names were Noviomagus and Civitas Nemetum, after the Teutonic tribe, Nemetes, settled in the area. Around the year 500 the name Spira first appeared in written documents. Spire, Spira, and Espira are still names used for Speyer in the French, Italian, and Spanish languages. The city's name may be the origin of the Ashkenazi Jewish name, Shapiro, and its variants.

Speyer Cathedral

We land and after lunch we go on a walking tour of the town. it is dominated by the Speyer Cathedral, a basilica with four towers and two domes, was founded by Conrad II in 1030 and remodeled at the end of the 11th century. It is one of the most important Romanesque monuments from the time of the Holy Roman Empire and is a UNESCO world heritage site. We then visit the remains of the Jewish area of Speyer. Today, the ruins are conserved and allow a glimpse into Jewish life during Speyer’s Medieval and later days. The Mikwe is said to be the biggest and best preserved ritual bath in Germany, some 30 feet below ground. We take a walk around the town and do a bit of window shopping and head back to the ship.

Town of Speyer

Dinner this evening is paired with Fritz wines from northern dry creek,  Fritz has been making estate wines since 1979 in its underground facility and uses gravity-flow wine making.

Dining with Bella's owners and friends