Meersburg and Friedrichshafen, Germany

 

It's early in the morning and already raining with the forecast calling for scattered showers the whole day. My original plan was to cycle from Konstanz to Friedrichshafen--along Lake Constance. I opt instead to take a ferry from Konstanz to Meersburg--saving me 30 miles of cycling in the rain. Have to visit Meersburg as it has TWO castles as well as a picturesque medieval old town. This is the ferry approaching Meersburg.

Looking up from the lakefront promenade I can spot a castle.

Side view of Meersburg castle.

Another side view of Meersburg castle.

It's market day in Meersburg (population 6,000) with about a half dozen vendors setting up shop. 

Another view of market.

Streets are steep.

Entrance of Old Meersburg Castle. It dates back to the 7th century. In 1877 Karl Mayer von Mayerfels bought the place. Parts of the castle are open for self-guided tours but remainder is occupied by descendants of Mayerfels. Jeez, it doesn't open until 10 AM and it's only 8:30 AM. Will take a pass. 

Almost next door to Old Meersburg Castle stands New Meersburg Castle. Yep, I learn that's how they differentiate the two. You and I would call this a palace but in Germany they're castles. Built in 1710 it now houses several museums. During the 19th century until 1955 it was a school for girls. Over the years it also housed a prison, a sailor's school and, a secondary school. From 1865-1932 it also housed the Baden Institution for Deaf-mutes. Following World War II it was used as barracks for French troops.  

View toward church.

This is a winery. Similar to the USA, Germany is divided into states. The state of Baden-Wuerttemberg owns this place. Lots of vineyards dot the hillsides. How much wine is produced here? This is no rinky-dink operation as over 300,000 bottles a year are bottled here. The speciality of the area is a rosè called Weissherbst.  

This is the backside of the winery with views of the lake and vineyards. 

Friedrichshafen (population 58,000) is the second largest city along Lake Constance. What's the city's claim to fame? It's here that Ferdinand von Zeppelin established his dirigible business. Remember the Hindenburg? 

Kids at a playground across from the museum have this spiffy-looking dirigible to climb on. Growing up I remember seeing the Goodyear and Met Life blimps on TV--usually at sporting events. What's the difference between a blimp and dirigible/zepplein? Blimps are basically balloons whereas dirigibles/zeppleins have internal metal framework that maintains its shape even when not filled with gasses. 

Whoa, as if on cue I look up in the sky and see this dirigible passing by.