Eichstätt: Die Rückreise

Eichstätt:  The Return Trip

When we were in Eichstätt, Germany, in January, the only site Karla saw was our hotel room, and the only residents she met were a doctor and a pharmacist.   Last week’s visit was dramatically different; Gott Sei Dank for good health and an invitation to return to one of our new favorite valleys in the German-speaking world. 

While in Eichstätt we enjoyed several lovely hours with faculty, staff, and students from our partner university, Katholische Universität.  We also relished our time exploring the darling town of Eichstätt, which is as charming as its residents.  During the 30 years war (1633) the town was destroyed, but then painstakingly and beautifully rebuilt in a Baroque style over the next several years.  Eichstätt looks very much the same today as it did in about 1700. 

 During our four-day visit the sun shone, the birds sang, the bells rang, the food and drink was delicious – we hated to leave.  We plan to return to this pleasant dale again soon.  There are still churches to admire, alleys to explore, hills to climb, rivers to float, Bavarian specialties to savor, and ideas to share with our university friends who possess our passion for teaching and learning.   This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

Karla makes a triumphant and healthy return, crossing the central bridge to the city in the first photo, and directly above, standing in front of the university's administration building (once the summer residence of the prince-bishop).

Enjoying the sights and smells of the gardens in front of the administration building.

Günther Behnisch, the architect of Munich’s Olympic stadium, also designed the light and airy KU-Eichstätt university library. 

Our delightful colleagues from the departments of English, American Studies and European Studies

May we introduce Sabine and Marlene, the two KU-Eichstätt students who will be studying at NWU in the fall!  Welcome!

Travis gets a Hefe-Weizen beer pouring lesson from Jessica, administrator in the international relations office.  Clearly Jessica and her colleagues provide newcomers with all the skills they need to successfully acculturate.

Relishing our time in the university's beer garden with Martin and Jessica, our friends in the international relations department.

A little portion of the town's cathedral, originally built in the 8th century but rebuilt in 1714.  Many treasures and grave markers in the impressive cathedral date from 1200 and earlier.

Standing on the impressive Residence Square with the "Marian" column in the background.  To the left of this photo is the former residence of the prince-bishop and just behind that, the cathedral.

Travis strikes a bishop pose at Willibald's fountain in the market square.  St. Willibald settled in Eichstätt in 741 and founded a monastery.  With his brother Wunibald, and his sister Walburga, Willibald converted the population to Christianity.  St. Willibald's name can be seen on streets, fountains, and in churches.

The photos above and below showcase the lovely Altmühl river - a long, lazy river that eventually  flows into the Danube. Students can check out canoes to enjoy a day on the river.  Or, if they'd rather be beside the river, the can travel the many kilometers of beautifully maintained paths for walking and bicycling.

We hiked up a hill to get a bird's eye view of Eichstätt.  More exploration of the town's original walls will have to be conducted in future trips.

Admiring the view from St. Walburg's convent and church.  We counted at least five large churches, one convent and three monasteries in Eichstätt's city center.  

An incredibly pretty picture of the town on our way home from an evening walk