Mainz and Wiesbaden, Germany

Mainz is a bustling river port city of 200,000 overlooking the Rhine.

A citadel (fortress) commands the high ground.

This is part of the outer wall. From 1620 to 1918 it was operational.

Over 6,000 soldiers were garrisoned in the citadel so you can imagine the size. Now it's city-owned.

Flowers abound in the city center.

Colors of the flowers compliment the cathedral in the background.

Mainz Cathedral next to the city's main square.

Mainz has a colorful old town.

Quite a few half-timbered buildings in Mainz's old town.

Cross the banks of the Rhine River and you'll be in Wiesbaden, population 200,000. Mainz and Wiesbaden are very much rivals and I don't mean just in soccer. This is the Nerobergbahn, a funicular railway, which has been transporting people up to the top of the hill since 1888.

It's one of the few funiculars in the world which uses, not electricity, but water propulsion to move the cars.

Great views of Wiesbaden from the top.

Wiesbaden's biggest church in the background but, I took this photo to show the lion atop the fountain. Unfortunately, it's the lion's backside.

Here's the lion's front.