Dresden Trio

The beautiful architecture of Dresden, as seen from our hotel across the Elbe River. I've added a watercolor texture.

Frauenkirche Dome, Dresden

Looking up from street level to the dome of the magnificent Frauenkirche in Dresden, Germany. Like much of Dresden, the beautiful 18th century church was destroyed in the bombing of WWII and rebuilt after the reunification of Germany. It was finally reopened to the public in 2005.

The Riddler

Photo by Stephen Bohn

One of two Sphinx statues guarding the Elbe River entrance to the Pillnitz Castle and Park. In Greek mythology, the Sphinx was part woman, and guarded the entrance to the temple of Thebes by asking a riddle. Those who failed to answer correctly were strangled and devoured by the Sphinx. In late Greek history, the riddle became: Which creature has one voice and yet becomes four-footed and two-footed and three-footed? Oedipus solved the riddle when he answered: Man, because he crawls on all fours as a baby, walks on two feet as a adult and uses a cane in old age.

Red and White

Original photo by Stephen Bohn

This photo was taken from the castle in Heidelberg, Germany. I haven't been able to find out what this particular group of buildings is and whether they function as some part of the local fire or emergency services, but I liked the way that the red and white of the vehicle matched the shutters of all the buildings. I've added a mask and postcard textures.

Victoria

Topping the Brandenburg Gate, one of Berlin's best known landmarks, is the Quadriga, a chariot pulled by four horses and driven by the Roman goddess of Victory. When it was originally erected back in the late 1700s, only the royal family was allowed to pass beneath the central archway of the gate.

Justice

Photo by Stephen Bohn

A statue of the goddess Justitia, faces the town hall and tops a fountain in the center of the Romerberg at Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. The statue was erected in 1543.

Excursion Boat on the Elbe

Photo by Stephen Bohn

An excursion boat from Dresden sails down the Elbe River in Germany on a beautiful day in May.

Morning on the Rhine

Photo by Stephen Bohn

The Teodor Heuss Bridge over the Rhine River connects portions of the town of Mainz, Germany.

Castle Gate

Photo by Stephen Bohn

Rothenburg ob der Tauber's castle gate (Burgtor) was built in the 1300s after the castle was destroyed in an earthquake in 1356. This is the closest gate to the beautiful Tauber Valley.

Heidelberg Street Scene

A typical street in the old section of Heidelberg. Many restaurants have outdoor dining and a few, like this one, even have views of the castle hill.

The Master

Often regarded as the greatest artist of the Northern European Renaissance, Albrecht Durer was a skilled painter, engraver and printmaker at a young age. He was born in Nuremberg where this statue and his former home are located.

Pretzels atop the Reichstag

The concession stand on the Reichstag in Berlin with a watercolor effect added.

Mainz Hotel

I photographed this hotel because I liked the colors, the wrought iron railing and the flower boxes at the lower windows. We did not actually stay here.

Dining Al Fresco

Heidelberg diners enjoy beautiful weather in this hotel courtyard.

Marktbrunnen of Mainz

A closeup view of the top of the Marktbrunnen, a Renaissance era fountain by sculptor Hans Backoffen, with the clock tower of Mainz cathedral behind it.

Mainz, Old and New

A view of the 1000-year-old Mainz Cathedral is seen in the distance past a modern art installation at the State Museum (Landesmuseum).

Open for Business

The Historik Hotel Gotisches Haus in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Dresden Dawn

A view of Dresden across the Elbe river with textures added to give a painted look.

Cecilienhof Palace

The palace was begun in 1914 by Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany and was built to look like an English Tudor country home. Following the exile of the Emperor and his son in 1945, it served as the location of the historic Potsdam Conference.

A River Runs Through It

In this case the river is the Pegnitz and the old town of Nuremberg was built along the river in the 11th century. To the left is the former Holy Spirit Hospital, a famous landmark founded in 1332 and one of the largest hospitals in Europe at that time.