After one intensive trip to LEGOLAND Günzburg, one day left before returning to Berlin, we decided to head to Ulm, a destination that I always had on my mind. Few years ago, this place come to the travel routes of visitors in the South of Germany, and their lush Instagram accounts, but as we visited, shortly after Corona times, it was relatively tourists-free, although it was the peak of the summer season.
As in many other German cities, expect some permanent ongoing construction works happening all round the year, clock and season, and Ulm was no exception to that. However, few minutes after we were able to find a quiet oasis of nature, in the middle of a modern, business-like architecture.
Some random sculpture makes even the most mundane shopping experience different. Of course, just another excuse for shopping...
But as we slowly advance towards the old city, we may realize that all the roads will take it inevitably to the famous Ulm Cathedral.
But Ulm besides the Cathedral, whose building started in the late Middle Ages, the city has a much older history. Remnants of the times when it used to be a Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire are carefully preserved and integrated into the very contemporary architecture.
Nothing compares though with the majestic entry of the Cathedral, the Ulm Münster, whose intricacies may request a very long explanation and examination time. It is an impressive view, no matter your religious belief, if any, particularly in terms of work of art and techniques.
Back to normality, the streets are inviting us to many new discoveries. As usual in this part of Germany, the shops do have their specialty advertising with their typical symbols near the door, testimonies of the times past when the many travellers and locals too, needed some meeting points without necessarily being able to read various directions.
From pastry to chocolate shops, there is so much to choose. And no one seems to hurry up to grab something as there is no tomorrow.
You can just take a seat, sip something slowly in the front of a typical building. Consider it a lesson in local lifestyle. Taking some careful notes.
History nowadays can be taught in so many different ways, including via street art, and Ulm offers some elaborated examples in this respect.
The words on the walls of this educational institution do invite to creative adventures - draw, pain, sing...Sounds like a different take on schooling.
We don´t have too much time for pedagogical inquiries, however, we are enjoying the changing landscape and the many oasis of quietness and relaxation.
And although I really love to discover places off-the-beaten path, the picture-ready traditional places do have my heart and my camera´s attention too.
So much to see though, including for an architecture lover as me.
I wish I can see how those houses are looking from inside. This will be a plan for another trip.
As in many other places I´ve visited in this part of Germany, like Füssen, there are beautiful paintings on the wall turning the city in a cosy, expensive living room.
As Ulm is situated on the bank of Danube, there are more water-related activities and lanscapes as a consequence. In the old times, it may have been an impediment, due to floodings, but we, in the 21st century, we can only enjoy the many opportunities.
Compared to other places, the facade patterns are changing, and I bet here is also something to learn more about.
Given the multi-layered history of the city, there are places to see from so many historical times. Add time travel as another thing to do while in Ulm.
As we are walking around the old city´s fortress, a very different bridge to a different timeline is displayed in the front of us: Neu/New Ulm and its cubic architecture.
Soon we are distracted though by some frescoes displaying interesting historical stories that may need a proper reading too.
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