May 25: Bamberg – Michelsberg 1
Michelsberg (or Michaelsberg) Abbey lies to the northwest of the Dom, and Michelsberg is another one of the seven hills of Bamberg. It was the most remote place I reached on the walk. It was a Benedictine monastery until 1803 and then became an almshouse, which evolved into its current use as a home for the elderly.
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Along the way from the Jakobskirche, happy sunny grass.
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Through this curious aperture near Jakobsplatz is a secret view of Michelsberg and its steep front slope.
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I proceeded down this delightful narrow lane, the Franziskanergasse. In urban design terminology, this street geometry is known as a "luge." Not really. Until now.
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A look back up the lane at the lower end. Those hanging plants make it such a comfy-looking place.
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Meanwhile, time to get up the next hill.
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Way over yonder is the Altenburg castle, on the highest of the hills. I didn't have a chance to get to it. Next time, I hope.
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After a rather arduous climb, I reached the abbey; here is the view from the grand front yard of the Michaelskirche in the center.
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The entrance was through another wing of the abbey; this is a view back out, showing the street that leads away to the west, St. Getreu-Straße.
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A familiar story by now: in the early 17th century the Romanesque church was rebuilt in a more modern style, in this case due to a fire. Here we have a mix of eras.
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There was this expansive view out to the northwest, to the industrial areas downstream, and to the hills beyond. Is that a gigantic wind turbine on the horizon at right?
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The view was from this lovely terrace at the northwest edge of the grounds.
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This is the kind of place that demands you stay a while and chill rather than snap-and-run, but alas...
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This restroom perched on the hillside was open to the public, and if I remember correctly, I was extremely grateful for that.
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A carved window.
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The abbey view from below.
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The north wall of the core of the abbey.