Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Danube

Watching the Danube in the early morning.

The Danube seen from the window of my room in the early morning. I had booked the room (prev. upload.) in Kloster Weltenburg´s guest house - and I could hear the mesmerizing noise of the water all over the night.

Kloster Weltenburg (Weltenburg Abbey) is the oldest abbey in Bavaria, founded about 620 by iro-scottish monks. The abbey is situated on the banks of the Danube, just west of the "Weltenburger Enge" ("Danube Gorge"). Saint Rupert may have consecrated a church here, dedicated to St. George around 700. In 1050 Benedictian monks founded a brewery here, that is still existing (though the abbey got secularised in 1803 and refounded some decades later). The brewery claims, to be the oldest monastery brewery in the world today, even older than the brewery in Weihenstephan. There are not many traces from the early times. During the wars of the 16th/17th century, the abbey was looted a couple of times. Most of the buildings were erected within the first half of the 18th century in the Baroque style. At that time the abbey was wealthy again and could effort to have the best artists here to work. The monastery has a guesthouse. I had booked this basic room there, as I wanted to see (and hear) the Danube very late and very early.

Kloster Weltenburg (Weltenburg Abbey) is the oldest abbey in Bavaria, founded about 620 by iro-scottish monks. The abbey is situated on the banks of the Danube, just west of the "Weltenburger Enge" ("Danube Gorge"). Saint Rupert may have consecrated a church here, dedicated to St. George around 700. In 1050 Benedictian monks founded a brewery here, that is still existing (though the abbey got secularised in 1803 and refounded some decades later). The brewery claims, to be the oldest monastery brewery in the world today, even older than the brewery in Weihenstephan. There are not many traces from the early times. During the wars of the 16th/17th century, the abbey was looted a couple of times. Most of the buildings were erected within the first half of the 18th century in the Baroque style. At that time the abbey was wealthy again and could effort to have the best artists here to work. - As the photos I took inside the church in 2012 are much better than the photos I took in 2020, I have added two PiPs.

"Weltenburger Enge" (aka "Donaudurchbruch bei Weltenburg" is the "Danube Gorge" near the Weltenburg Monastery. The gorge is enclosed on either side by rock faces up to 80 metres high. The Danube narrows by up to 110 metres and attains a depth of 20 metres. The area was designated as a natural monument under King Ludwig I of Bavaria as early as 1840.

"Weltenburger Enge" (aka "Donaudurchbruch bei Weltenburg" is the "Danube Gorge" near the Weltenburg Monastery. The gorge is enclosed on either side by rock faces up to 80 metres high. The Danube narrows by up to 110 metres and attains a depth of 20 metres. The area was designated as a natural monument under King Ludwig I of Bavaria as early as 1840. All along rivers existed towpaths, as up to the 19th century towing was the only way to move boats upstream. As towing was impossible within the "Weltenburger Narrowness" people used long spearlike rods with hooks and these iron rings to pull the boat upstream.

"Weltenburger Eng"e (aka "Donaudurchbruch bei Weltenburg" is the "Danube Gorge" near the Weltenburg Monastery. The gorge is enclosed on either side by rock faces up to 80 metres high. The Danube narrows by up to 110 metres and attains a depth of 20 metres. The area was designated as a natural monument under King Ludwig I of Bavaria as early as 1840. The sculpture of the patron saint "St. Nepomuk" is located in a niche of the cliff named "Lange Wand" (= long wall).

"Weltenburger Eng"e (aka "Donaudurchbruch bei Weltenburg" is the "Danube Gorge" near the Weltenburg Monastery. The gorge is enclosed on either side by rock faces up to 80 metres high. The Danube narrows by up to 110 metres and attains a depth of 20 metres. The area was designated as a natural monument under King Ludwig I of Bavaria as early as 1840. The "MS Gisela" offers a breathtaking trip through the gorge.

"Weltenburger Eng"e (aka "Donaudurchbruch bei Weltenburg" is the "Danube Gorge" near the Weltenburg Monastery. The gorge is enclosed on either side by rock faces up to 80 metres high. The Danube narrows by up to 110 metres and attains a depth of 20 metres. The area was designated as a natural monument under King Ludwig I of Bavaria as early as 1840. "MS Gisela" is approaching. The boat offers a breathtaking trip through the gorge.

"Weltenburger Enge" (aka "Donaudurchbruch bei Weltenburg" is the "Danube Gorge" near the Weltenburg Monastery. The gorge is enclosed on either side by rock faces up to 80 metres high. The Danube narrows by up to 110 metres and attains a depth of 20 metres. The area was designated as a natural monument under King Ludwig I of Bavaria as early as 1840. .

Kelheim is situated at the confluence of the rivers Altmühl and Danube. Kelheim was first mentioned in the 9th century when it was the seat of a count. 200 years later it was owned by the House of Wittelsbach. Duke Ludwig I (aka "Ludwig der Kelheimer") made Kelheim to one of his favourite residences. After his murder on the bridge in Kehlheim in 1231, the Wittelsbachers moved the residence to Landshut. The crime was never cleared up since the murderer was immediately lynched, though many suspected Emperor Frederick II to be behind the deed. The support of the House of Wittelsbach continued as Kelheim was an important Danube crossing. It developed into an important trading point for wine, salt, fish, cattle, stones and wood. The first parish church existed probably around 1000 when the Kelheim was granted market rights. The erection of the current parish church started in 1420. Around 1460, the choir was built, while the aisles were probably not completed until 1520. The nave was expanded end of the 19th century. The interior of the church, which had previously been baroque, was largely removed and replaced by neo-Gothic pieces. Some remains of the original Gothic furnishings have been preserved.

Kelheim is situated at the confluence of the rivers Altmühl and Danube. Kelheim was first mentioned in the 9th century when it was the seat of a count. 200 years later it was owned by the House of Wittelsbach. Duke Ludwig I (aka "Ludwig der Kelheimer") made Kelheim to one of his favourite residences. After his murder on the bridge in Kehlheim in 1231, the Wittelsbachers moved the residence to Landshut. The crime was never cleared up since the murderer was immediately lynched, though many suspected Emperor Frederick II to be behind the deed. The support of the House of Wittelsbach continued as Kelheim was an important Danube crossing. It developed into an important trading point for wine, salt, fish, cattle, stones and wood. The first parish church existed probably around 1000 when the Kelheim was granted market rights. The erection of the current parish church started in 1420. Around 1460, the choir was built, while the aisles were probably not completed until 1520. Due to a lack of financial possibilities, a protective tower of the nearby city wall was used instead of a church tower during the first years. The Gothic south portal is dated to 1450.

Kelheim is situated at the confluence of the rivers Altmühl and Danube. Kelheim was first mentioned in the 9th century when it was the seat of a count. 200 years later it was owned by the House of Wittelsbach. Duke Ludwig I (aka "Ludwig der Kelheimer") made Kelheim to one of his favourite residences. After his murder on the bridge in Kehlheim in 1231, the Wittelsbachers moved the residence to Landshut. The crime was never cleared up since the murderer was immediately lynched, though many suspected Emperor Frederick II to be behind the deed. The support of the House of Wittelsbach continued as Kelheim was an important Danube crossing. It developed into an important trading point for wine, salt, fish, cattle, stones and wood. In 1548 the city had its town hall representative built on the middle of the street crossing. After its demolition (1824), the town clerk's house became the town hall. This was built in 1598 and renovated in the 17th century.

Kelheim is situated at the confluence of the rivers Altmühl and Danube. Kelheim was first mentioned in the 9th century when it was the seat of a count. 200 years later it was owned by the House of Wittelsbach. Duke Ludwig I (aka "Ludwig der Kelheimer") made Kelheim to one of his favourite residences. After his murder on the bridge in Kehlheim in 1231, the Wittelsbachers moved the residence to Landshut. The crime was never cleared up since the murderer was immediately lynched, though many suspected Emperor Frederick II to be behind the deed. The support of the House of Wittelsbach continued as Kelheim was an important Danube crossing. It developed into an important trading point for wine, salt, fish, cattle, stones and wood.

Vilshofen is located at the confluence of the Vils river with the Danube. The settlement belonged to the bishopric of Passau. The Count of Ortenburg held Vilshofen as a fief. Already in 1220, a bridge existed ver the Vils. After a dispute with the House of Ortenburg Duke Otto II of Bavaria took possession of the city in 1241. Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria confirmed the town charter in 1345. In 1572, Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria approved the construction of a salt depot, which in the same year resulted in the construction of the first Danube bridge and the establishment of a wheat beer brewery. The “Goldene Steig” salt trade route from Vilshofen to Bohemia and Prague started here. In 1794 a fire destroyed almost the entire city, only a few houses in the town square remained unscathed. Most of today´s buildings date to the reconstruction at that time. I found this large bubblegum-machine on the Stadtplatz, the shopping street in Vilshofen. What freedom of choice!

Vilshofen is located at the confluence of the Vils river with the Danube. The settlement belonged to the bishopric of Passau. The Count of Ortenburg held Vilshofen as a fief. Already in 1220, a bridge existed ver the Vils. After a dispute with the House of Ortenburg Duke Otto II of Bavaria took possession of the city in 1241. Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria confirmed the town charter in 1345. In 1572, Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria approved the construction of a salt depot, which in the same year resulted in the construction of the first Danube bridge and the establishment of a wheat beer brewery. The "Goldene Steig" salt trade route from Vilshofen to Bohemia and Prague started here. In 1794 a fire destroyed almost the entire city, only a few houses in the town square remained unscathed. Most of today´s buildings date to the reconstruction at that time. Seen in the background is the tower of "St. Johannes der Täufer" (St. John Baptist).

Vilshofen is located at the confluence of the Vils river with the Danube. The settlement belonged to the bishopric of Passau. The Count of Ortenburg held Vilshofen as a fief. Already in 1220, a bridge existed ver the Vils. After a dispute with the House of Ortenburg Duke Otto II of Bavaria took possession of the city in 1241. Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria confirmed the town charter in 1345. In 1572, Duke Wilhelm V of Bavaria approved the construction of a salt depot, which in the same year resulted in the construction of the first Danube bridge and the establishment of a wheat beer brewery. The “Goldene Steig” salt trade route from Vilshofen to Bohemia and Prague started here. In 1794 a fire destroyed almost the entire city, only a few houses in the town square remained unscathed. Most of today´s buildings date to the reconstruction at that time. That fire had severely damaged the church, that had been a collegial church. After the collegiate was secularized in 1803, the rebuilding started. The walls and the late Gothic side chapels were preserved, the central columns were removed. On the orders of Elector Maximilian IV Joseph, the baroque furnishings from the secularized St. Nikola monastery in Passau was transferred to St. Johannes der Täufer in Vilshofen.

The Romans have been here -on the banks of the Danube- for about 400 years. When they withdrew a group of Bavarii settled here, lead by a person named Strupo. Accordingly the settlement was called Strupinga - and today is Straubing. Today the center of the town is about 500 meters east, the old center was right here, all around the Carolingian predecessor of the church of St. Peter. St. Peter, built around 1200, is a sober Romanesque basilica. The structure of the church looks very "complete", what is the result of the reconstruction of the 19th century. Probably since the old days the church is surrounded by a graveyard. Some of the old monuments are more than 400 years old. The graveyard has three old chapels. Unfortunately the chapels were locked, due to some kind of vandalism, that had taken place (that was what I learned from the paper at the door). I could only hold my camera inside - and so got this photo. This is the interior of the "Totenkapelle", built in 1486. The frescos ("Totentanz") on the right are Baroque (1763). Actually, I had hoped to see the "Agnes-Bernauer-Kapelle", built in 1436 over the grave of Agnes, who was drowned after a false accusation (witchcraft) in the Danube by command of Ernest, Duke of Bavaria, in 1435. The tragic end of a touching love story between Agnes Bernauer - and Ernest´s son Albrecht, who later became Albert III, Duke of Bavaria. If you want to read more about this story follow the link to Blutenburg below.