Ulllllm...

Ulm, Germany is the birth place of Albert Einstein and home of the tallest church in the world; the Munster Cathedral. Rising to a whopping 530 feet high, let me tell you (let my LEGS tell you), it's quite an impressive building. You start out on the bottom floor where you can view the main cathedral area, including a memorial trail you can follow along the floor, a candle lighting circle, a prayer room, and the main services area (the stained glass windows were truly breathtaking). Then you enter a tiny cement spiral stairway, big enough only for two people at any point, and you climb straight up to the main platform. There are a few smaller platforms at the lower levels for you to stop and take a break, as it's an exhausting feat. The climb is not recommended for anyone with claustrophobia, as many times you have to climb over a group of people who are pressed against the wall and taking a break.

Once you get to the main top floor, you can walk around and take pictures. There is, however, an optional platform that you can climb to. The steeple stairway is smaller than the main stairway and is a two-way lane; meaning you have people coming up and down in the same stairwell. It's quite a squeeze to get through at some points, but the view is worth it. The very top is also extremely limited in moving space and relies on the group present in when/where you move or leave, so we stayed and took pictures until everyone began to climb back down.

view from top






We managed to get around some of the back cobble streets, where we found a small tea shop and some beautiful scenery. We even managed to find pieces of the wall, which was built to surround Ulm. The city itself is situated on the Danube river and we found some magnificent views as we followed the wall.





The library is located in a central area of the city and looks like a fortress of glass. The stairs wind in a large circle throughout the library, and just outside the building you can find cafes and bistros with umbrellas, tables, and chairs for dining.




Jen and I had lunch after our 530 foot climb (quite literally!) at a restaurant outside by a fountain. We shared a small stack of ribs, a salad, and a baked potato. Afterwards, we walked around, browsed through some shops, and finished the day with an italian ice cream. I also ended up buying a handmade basket from one of the dealers outside the cathedral during the market sale.










I recommend visiting Ulm if you're ever in Germany. If you plan to climb the cathedral stairs, make sure you're in shape and prepared for tight, closed in spaces! Those aside, the hike is worth the effort.

Naturally, when Jenny and I got home we purchased some fruit, sushi, and bread from the local grocery store. We had our fruit salad on the balcony and watched the sunset over Feuerbach.







for more pictures, please visit my flickr site.