Germany > Harburg and Ottobeuren

The Corona measures in the hotel are not becoming any clearer. In the morning, the walking direction in the corridor is different than in the evening. Huh? Now we first have to go down the stairs and past the kitchen to get to the breakfast room. In the afternoon, the signs are turned around. Why is not entirely clear to us, because by changing the walking direction, in our opinion, you can no longer reach our room. Only the outside route remains possible. At breakfast, we can point out what we want. It is well organized. We decide to stay seated inside. The terrace outside is inviting, but a number of wasps immediately buzz around the tables. After breakfast, we take our belongings to the car and check out. We fill up the car and head to Harburg. We had been warned in advance that the German A7 can be prone to traffic jams due to roadworks in the tunnel. The navigation also indicates some delays. To be safe, we avoid the congestion and exit the highway at Dinkelsbühl. Dinkelsbühl, like Rothenburg, is a historic town on the Romantic Road. We skip this town and continue to one of the next sights on this route: Harburg Castle. Around ten o’clock, we arrive at the parking lot near the castle. It is raining. According to the weather forecast, it will dry up soon. With umbrellas, we walk to the entrance gate of the 11th-century castle. Here we buy an admission ticket to the castle courtyard. As we enter the castle, the rain stops. The origin of the complex dates back to the 11th century. Over the following centuries, the castle was expanded. The inner castle consists of six towers connected by thick, high walls. The walls of the outer castle are significantly lower. Inside the castle are various rooms, a chapel, and a prison. These spaces can only be visited during a guided tour. We join the 11 o’clock tour. The tour starts in the castle church. The small baroque church was built and embellished in its current form in the 18th century. In the middle of the church, a staircase leads down to the crypt, which is closed to visitors. From the walkway on the castle wall, we have a beautiful view of the entire castle.

Germany - The courtyard of Harburg Castle

The sun cautiously breaks through a little. Some towers used to serve as prisons, where prisoners were kept in primitive cells. In other towers, halls have been restored. Nowadays, these halls are used for weddings and parties. The tour ends in the Hunters’ Hall, a room with weapons and trophies of the castle lord. We walk around the castle back to the car. We drive to the town of Harburg at the foot of the rock where the castle stands. Near the bridge over the river, we order drinks on a terrace. A broom is used to dry the benches and tables. From the terrace, we see the impressive castle towering above us. At one o’clock, we set course for Ottobeuren, about an hour and a half drive from Harburg. In Ottobeuren stands the Benedictine monastery and cathedral. From afar, we can already see the enormous cathedral.

Germany - The impressive baroque cathedral of Ottobeuren

Upon entering the church, we are overwhelmed by the magnificent interior. The baroque church is lavishly decorated with paintings, sculptures, and wood carvings. How beautiful. We sit down briefly to take in all the splendor. Everywhere you look, it is stunning to the highest degree. Behind the church lies the abbey monastery. Until World War II, this was an active monastery. During the war, monastic activities were prohibited. After the war, the monastery was partly put back into use. A youth boarding school was established in the vast complex. We walk into the building. To our surprise, we just walk right in. We expected a ticket counter. In the monastery corridor, there is a café, and we can use the toilets. On the other side of the corridor, signs point to the museum.

Germany - The old library of the abbey monastery

We follow the signs to the second floor. We have no idea what the museum’s collection includes. We’ll see. The staircase alone is worth seeing. On the second floor is the museum. Besides paintings and wood carvings, the museum also shows the old monastery library and the very special Emperor’s Hall, the lady at the entrance explains. We are convinced and enter the museum. In the rooms, objects from the 14th to 18th centuries are displayed. Statues, paintings, and beautiful wood carvings depicting the life of Jesus. The old baroque monastery library is the highlight. Over 15,000 printed works from the 16th to 18th centuries stand here in a strikingly bright room. The gallery is supported by 44 columns. The magnificent ceiling painting perfectly fits the style of the hall. The museum route ends in the Emperor’s Hall, the largest room in the monastery complex. The ceiling painting in this baroque-style room shows the coronation of Charlemagne. After visiting the monastery, we prepare for today’s last stage. We follow the A96 southbound to the border with Austria. At Bregenz, we cross the border. We drive only a few kilometers through Austria, also passing through the almost seven-kilometer-long Pfändertunnel. For this short stretch of highway, we do need an Austrian motorway vignette. At Au, we arrive at the border with Switzerland. There is a short queue. The car in front of us is pulled aside for inspection. The customs officer signals us to wait. When handling the car ahead takes longer, he signals that we can proceed. We enter Switzerland. Just after six o’clock, we arrive at our Bed & Breakfast in Rorschachberg. From his rooftop terrace, the owner gives directions where we can park the car. This is no easy task in the steep dead-end street. We are warmly welcomed. We are the only guests today, which means we have the shower and toilet just for ourselves. The owner shows us the room, bathroom, and all other facilities extensively. Everything looks impeccable. For the evening, we walk down the mountain to Rorschach on Lake Constance. In the shopping street near the harbor, we find a nice terrace to eat dinner tonight.