Location: Speyer
Top Things to do in Speyer
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Top 10 Things to do in Speyer, Germany
Speyer (German pronunciation: [ˈʃpaɪ̯ɐ], older spelling Speier, known as Spire in French and formerly as Spires in English) is a town in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, with approximately 50,000 inhabitants. Located beside the river Rhine, Speyer is 25 km (16 miles) south of Ludwigshafen and Mannheim. Founded by the Romans, it is one of Germany's oldest cities. Speyer is dominated by the Speyer Cathedral, a number of churches and the Altpörtel (old gate). In the cathedral, beneath the high altar, are the tombs of eight Holy Roman emperors and German kings.
Restaurants in Speyer
1. Speyer Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 865 reviews
The Cathedral St. Mary and St. Stephen in Speyer is church that is unique in its spiritual, architectural, and historical dimensions. Day for day this house of God, founded in the 11th century, casts its spell on people, serves as a site of contemplation and prayer, and testifies to the legacy of romanesque architecture. Furthermore, the Cathedral of Speyer is the gravesite of Salian, Staufer, and Habsburg rulers, thus functioning as a symbol of the medieval emperorship. In 1981, the Cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. As an episcopal church, the Cathedral of Speyer is the spiritual centre of the diocese Speyer. Built in the Middle Ages as a house (Latin: domus) of God, to this very day its entire architecture serves to lead mankind to the Lord: the floor plan, the decoration, and all measurements serve this purpose. As an episcopal Cathedral church, as the cathedral's parish church, as a place of pilgrimage: mass is celebrated here every day of the week.
2. Technik Museum Speyer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 936 reviews
Reviewed By ltcguenther - Calgary, Canada
OK... our little group doesn't have all the same tastes which makes this a difficult one to rate!
My husband put it well... it's a place you can spend 20 minutes or 20 days depending on how much you love all trains, planes and automobiles.
We happened to visit with a group where half wanted to spend 20 minutes (and ended up bored) and the other half wanted to spend 20 days (and ended up feeling rushed). If I were to do it again, I would drop off the machine-lovers while the rest went to explore the Speyer Cathedral and then have everyone meet up somewhere.
Just something to think about for those travelling with family with differing tastes! (it's hard to drag the airplane lovers out of this place *laugh*)
3. Historisches Museum der Pfalz Speyer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
This impressive history museum features a diverse selection of exhibits from pre-history through modern times.
Reviewed By DonPaulo - Richmond, Virginia
We visited the Richard Lionheart exhibit with our eyes wide open. Clearly, there are not many artifacts that survived until today. Those that did, have significant intrinsic value, so there is not much for the hands-on exhibit visitors.
What the exhibit does well is displaying the timeline of Richard's life and the maps depicting the places. Alas, I learned nearly nothing that I did not already know.
For the young visitor, the audio-visual aspect of the exhibit is excellent. It captures the attention of the young and tells the story in a very child-friendly way.
For the viewer who is unfamiliar with the real life of Richard, this exhibit does not provide much information. Instead, I would recommend a good biography of Richard. You will get more detail, as many pictures and a far better understanding - at an equivalent price.
4. Altportel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By gentbrugg - Moscow
Altportel is the highest city gate in Germany, but besides this it is, perhaps, the most important symbol of Speyer. It is located at the other end of the central Masimillianshtrasse going from Cathedral. In the Middle Ages Altportel apparently was the part of the city wall, while being the gate tower. Otherwise, why would it have been to arrange as many as two rows of loopholes for firing - of course, on the back side with respect to Maksimillianshtrasse where the tower is even decorated?
On both sides of the tower is set a clock of original design with a double face.
In general, nothing special, but the gate looks pretty and gives the center of Speyer real medieval look.
5. Mittelalterlicher Judenhof
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By csmmmh - Saint Paul, Minnesota
A small little museum that gives a hint of Jewish life in Germany that dates back a millennium. The Synagogue and Mikva show how these people felt comfortable being in medieval Germany and then, how they re-built again after setbacks until they were ultimately thrown out of their homes. A nice little museum and hopefully not a parable for our own times.
6. (Luther) Gedaechtniskirche
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By Dorrith Z - Helvoirt, The Netherlands
the gedaechtniskirche in Speyer is a wonderful church, inside and outside: beautiful roof and big statue of Luther at the entrance and wonderful stained glass windos
7. Dreifaltigkeitskirche Speyer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By CJTravelerTexas - Bryan, Texas
After visiting the Speyer Cathedral, out guide insisted we see Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Holy Trinity Church), built in the early 1700s as a Lutheran church. The interior of this church is beautiful, with painted vaulted ceiling and impressive altar. In addition, this church has painted panels depicting portions of the Bible - both Old and New Testaments. I am so pleased our guide brought us to this beautiful church.
8. Adenauer-Park Speyer
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By gentbrugg - Moscow
Adenauer Park (its area is one and half acres) is situated almost immediately in front of the train station along Bahnhofstrasse, the street leading directly to the heart of the city. First you'll see several abstract sculptures, then there will be quite old Gothic chapel (Lutheran, that is remarkable detail for the overall catholic Speyer), however, tightly closed. There are also exotic trees, and wrought figured lattice, and a pond with lilies, and the old cemetery (near the chapel, but I didn't watch), and even a nursing home. Later, in Trier, where to nursing homes is paid relentless attention, I regretted it. It would be interesting to compare the culture of the organization of social protection institutions in two cities and to draw a conclusion about the overall level of government support for older citizens.
And in the evening when I arrived, it was raining heavily, and the next day when I left, disgusted drizzling. So it was difficult to assess whether the park suits for recreation or not. At least for the elderly the good news is that the park terrain is quite flat and smooth.
9. Das Museum Wilhelmsbau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Veronica G - Burgess Hill
We visited this after the technik museum so entry was included, the gound floor is being renovated and is therefore closed to the public but the second and third floor are a great selection of goods from the local area. Very interesting how much is displayed in the space available, lots of toys and music related items.
Glad we visited at the end of the day, well worth the climb up the front steps.
10. SEA LIFE Speyer
Overall Ratings
3 based on 410 reviews
Half a million gallons of water, 25 tons of salt and about 3000 animals from 100 different species of native and tropical waters await you in 40 Aquariums to enchant you! This year we have the special exhibition "Turtle Shelter"
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