I have so much to catch up on! On June 20th Kasey was a bit wiped out from competition in Ingolstadt so I went for a bike ride with our host, Petra, who we connected with through couchsurfers. Petra took me through Ingolstadt, showing me the new downtown that was being renovated, churches, archeological sites, and amazing architecture. After a short ride across the river into town our first stop was the Church of Our Lady that while still open to the public was undergoing some construction on the outside. The sidewalks were being installed/ completed around the church and I looked past it, somewhat used to overlooking construction sites. Petra nonchalantly pointed out the open holes behind the fence. Holes covered in tarps in some places and explained that the new walkways would be put in there. Then she pointed out the SKULLS AND SKELETONS in the dirt. Just right there. out in the open. 300-400 year old bodies in layers that were being exhumed by archeological teams before the new construction was laid down. She also explained that she had been working as a volunteer at a similar site outside of town where they believed Ingolstadt may have started. The photos she showed me later of their work were incredible. What a piece of history! Inside, the church was just as mind blowing as every other I have seen while here. The difference in this church was the displays of some of the medieval jewels, processional staffs, robes, and some relics, used in the past. Engraved gold chalices, headwear, seals,-- it was all amazing. I walked around the church wide-eyed for about an hour before we moved on to the next church, Maria De Victoria. The Maria De Victoria Church is one of the most beautiful man made sites I have seen yet on this trip. Thats saying a lot. The small(ish) church is somewhat unassuming on the outside, though beautiful- it is lacking the high arched windows and unique architecture of other typical churches. Once I walked inside though I could hardly decide where to look. After circling the church 4 or 5 times I still feel like I will have to check back over my pictures to see it all. The painted ceilings and the engraved wood and gold were an incredible site. Though this church is new compared to others in the area, being built in 1732, the paintings within it are well worth the visit. From there we rode further into town, petra pointing out the various renovations and showing the difference in the old and new buildings. New buildings have a flat roof, and many of the flat roofed buildings had to be rebuilt because of bombing. Knowing this, it was interesting riding through town and noting the difference in the rooflines. There were also foundation lines in the cobblestones from old churches that were long gone. History everywhere! On our way back to her apartment we passed through The Kreuztor, the entrance to the city. Ingolstadt had been built as a medieval fortress city, and was enclosed by a wall with this being the entrance. I was glad to have met Petra, and to have seen the things that Ingolstadt had to offer. Kasey and I had tried to go downtown earlier that day and hadnt seen anything that we wanted to stop for. We got frustrated over traffic and parking and decided to just go to the apartment and rest. We were so mistaken! Its nice to meet locals to show you the good stuff!
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 15:14:22 +0000
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