Medieval city to capital city…also medieval

Today was a travel day too - but with a little stop in Eigusheim, a small village outside Colmar with “Harry Potter” vibes - courtesy of the narrow medieval alleys and houses, short doorways and medieval architecture.   Also a profusion of flowers on this early summer day.  

There was also a profusion of storks…almost too many to count. 

We visited a cburch in Eigusheim as well - and their garden had this “insect hotel” which we’ve been seeing versions of all through the region. 

But after lunch it was time to journey to Strasbourg France -  a large city bordering Germany.  Strasbourg is one of the four main capitals of the European Union ( alongside Brussels, Frankfurt and Luxembourg)  and is also the seat of the European Parliament, as well as the International Institute  of Human Rights, among many other European or international organizations.  

We immediately went to the old center of the city to visit the gothic sandstone cathedral of Strasbourg.  It is enormous and overwhelming  with incredible details.  It would take a very long time to inventory all its intricacies.  From Wikipedia I learned that 

At 142 metres (466 feet), Strasbourg Cathedral was the world's tallest building from 1647 to 1874 (227 years), when it was surpassed by St. Nikolai's Church, Hamburg. Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the highest still standing extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages.

It is also home to an astronomical clock which we got to see ring in 5 pm.  

Strasbourg has many things to offer the secular tourist like both police and pole dancer action figures. 

And carousels overseen by a statue of Gutenberg for the children….and some Fischer beer for the Fischers. 

We ended our day in this hub of Europe with a nice French meal and walk back to our modern hotel.  More from Strasbourg tomorrow.