Speyer – 2000 years of history and life.

The founding stone of this 2000 years old town: marking the romanesque Emperors’ Cathedral, was laid by Emperor Konrad II at around 1030 A.D. As the most significant Romanesque building in Germany, the cathedral was included in UNESCO’S Places of World Cultural Heritage list in 1981, with the most important area defined as the crypt, the burial place of eight German Emperors and Empresses.

Unique in Europe, is the ritual bathhouse (Hebrew: Mikwe), which is well preserved today. It can be found in the medieval Jews court, only a few steps away from the Bishop’s Residence.

Also worth seeing is the Old Town Gateway, which was built between 1230 and 1250 A.D. After ascending the 154 steps, there is a fantastic view across the Upper Rhine plain between Heidelberg and the German Wine Route.

Idyllic corners and alleyways fringed with fig trees and other Mediterranean plants, as well as romantic squares in the old Town provide impressive elements for all photographers.

Various museums and attractions, like the Historical Museum of the Palatinate, the Technical Museum Speyer and Sea Life offers ‘highly regarded’ special exhibitions and ‘must sees’ for the whole family.