Frauenkirche, Munich

The Dom su Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), or Frauenkirche as it is commonly known, is a church in Munich that also serves as a cathedral.

Construction began in 1468, but due to financial difficulties, Pope Sixtus IV granted an Indulgence. The church was completed in 1488 and consecrated in 1494. Of the two towers, the tallest is the North Tower, standing at 98.57m, with the South Tower only 0.12m smaller. There is a law prohibiting any building being taller than 99m, which is why you won't see any skyscrapers in the city centre, giving Munich the feel of a small town.

The church suffered severe damage during WWII and had to be restored. One feature which survived was the Teufelstritt (Devil's Footstep), which is believed to be where the Devil himself once stood.  There are a few legends regarding the footstep, one is that the Devil made a deal with a builder so that the church would have no windows. The builder tricked the Devil by building columns to obscure the view of the windows. However, once the building was consecrated, the Devil could not enter and could only stand in the Foyer stamping his foot. He is supposed to have manifested his evil spirit in the wind, which rages furiously around the church.

Buried in the church are the tombs of many Archbishops, Dukes and even King Ludwig III and Louis IV, the Holy Roman Emperor.

Nelson's Monument, Glasgow

This monument was the first civic monument in Britain to honour Admiral Horatio Nelson's victories, being built in 1806, and was restored in 2002 to the cost of £9,000 to repair damage from over the centuries. It is one of the many sights you can see when visiting Glasgow Green.

The obelisk on its plinth reaches a height of 144 feet. At the base of the monument, some of Nelson's most famous battles are enscribed, including Aboukir (1798), Copenhagen (1801) and Trafalgar (1805), where he was shot and killed. Nelson was so popular that approximately 80,000 people attended the laying of the foundation stone.

Glasgow Green, Glasgow

McLennan Arch (entrance blocked off during Commonwealth Games 2014)

Glasgow Green is Glasgow's oldest park, having been established in the 15th century during the reign of Kings James II. A short walk from the city centre, it is home to some of Glasgow's oldest sporting clubs, and has seen artists such as Michael Jackson and the Stone Roses perform on the grounds.It also boasts an orienteering course, play village and more. It was even the meeting place of suffragettes between 1830 and 1914.

Glasgow Green Football Centre can be found on Flesher's Haugh, the very site Rangers FC played their first ever game in 1872. The Football Centre features 18 different football pitches.

Other landmarks include Nelson's Monument, the Doulton Fountain, the People's Palace and Winter Gardens and McLennan Arch.

Stage with performances during the Commonwealth Games 2014 with the Winter Gardens conservatory to the right

River Clyde, Glasgow

The River Clyde is the second longest river in Scotland (8th longest in the UK) and flows through Glasgow, playing a big part in ship building and trade, particularly throughout the times of the British Empire, and even earlier during the early medieval Kingdom of Strathclyde. A walk along the river on a nice sunny day offers amazing views of the city and surrounding buildings.

Reading Trees, Liverpool

Reading trees allow people to sit and read a book, either their own or one that's been donated. They can take the book and donate another if they choose to.

St Andrew's Cathedral, Glasgow, Scotland

St Andrew's Cathedral (Metropolitan Cathedral Church of St Andrew) is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Glasgow on the North Bank of the River Clyde. It was designed by James Gillespie Graham in the Neo Gothic style in 1814 and is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Scotland, St Andrew. 

The need for a Roman Catholic church came as freedom of worship had been granted and an influx of Irish immigrants created a need for somewhere to worship. The Cathedral was finished in 1816, but took longer than expected to complete as Protestants would sabotage the work during the night. The cathedral is modest in size, and has no steeple or bell tower due to restrictions on Catholic buildings at the time.

Wall Mural, Glasgow, Scotland

Wall mural on the corner of Dunlop Street and Howard Street.

My Travel Map So Far...

So far I've visited 5 countries since starting this blog (including my native England). Money has been tight, so haven't been able to do as much travelling as I'd have liked to. I visited Belfast recently, so will post about that soon. Only spent a day there so would like to go again as it is a beautiful place. Right now I'm trying to get all my Glasgow posts up as I have neglected the blog a bit recently!

Still a whole lot of white to paint red!

Necropolis, Glasgow, Scotland

The Necropolis, besides St Mundo (Glasgow) Cathedral is a Victorian cemetery from 1832 when Glasgow was the UK's Second City. It was built on a rather rocky hill, making it quite a hike to view all 3,500 monuments.

You approach the main entrance from the 'Bridge of Sighs' (named after hosting many funeral processions). Between the Bridge and the gates of the main entrance are three modern memorials: a memorial to still-born children; a memorial to the Korean War; and a memorial to Glaswegian recipients of the Victoria Cross.

As well as monuments to many important Scots, the cemetary also holds the graves of 18 Commonwealth service personnel.

Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Scotland

 Buchanan Street is one of the main shopping areas in Glasgow, home to many popular High Street shops and said to be the busiest shopping thoroughfare in the UK after Oxford Street, London. A must for any shopper visiting the city.

Buchanan Street

Cafe Nero

Bagpipe Buskers, Glasgow, Scotland

Buskers playing the bagpipes during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games besides the Games's mascot.

3 Queens Event, Liverpool

From 24th - 26th May 2015, Cunards three biggest cruise ships sailed across the River Mersey in celebration of 175 years since Cunard's first ever cruise liner sailed from Liverpool to Halifax and Boston. Huge crowds gathered to watch the ships arrive, berth and even perform a special 'river dance'. 

RMS Queen Mary 2 sails up the River Mersey

RMS Queen Mary 2, the largest of the three, was the first to enter Liverpool on the 24th. Hundreds gathered in wind and rain to wave the passengers as it berthed. She travelled to Brazil Buoy the next day to welcome her sister ships, RMS Queen Elizabeth and RMS Queen Victoria, before they sailed down the Mersey towards the Liverpool Echo Arena, turning to sail back to the cruise liner terminal. 

'3 Queens' turning to sail back up the River Mersey

An estimated 1.3 million watched from both sides of the river as the boats turned and the Red Arrows flew over. The RMS Queen Mary 2 left the city, whilst the RMS Queen Elizabeth berthed and the RMS Queen Victoria anchored herself in the middle of the Mersey. That night, there were projections onto the 'Three Graces' (Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building) followed by fireworks and a goodbye to RMS Queen Elizabeth. RMS Queen Victoria sailed away the following day.

Projections on the Three Graces

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