Mannheim and Speyer

 8/12/2025

Grey skies continue to dominate but the rain stays away. The temperature in Mannheim is milder than the past few days so keeping warm is not a big issue. Buses have been organised to take us into the centre of town (about 15 minutes from where we are docked), giving us a bit of a scenic tour on the way in.

The most prominent industry in Mannheim is a massive John Deere tractor assembly plant that employs 4,000 people and is their central operation in Europe.

Unlike most cities we have visited, the most prominent land mark here is not the Church, but the water tower. It is an ornate baroque styled tower made of sandstone located in the centre of Friedrichsplatz. It is no longer used for water storage, but is a highlight of the city’s architecture.


Dating back to 1889 this ornate water tower dominates the skyline

Also on Friedrichsplatz is the Congress Centre, another very impressive red sandstone building. It is a major venue for conventions, concerts etc.


Congress Centre Rosengarten

The Christmas market is located near the water tower and we are now free to wander off and explore the market.







Salmon cooked with open flame



Dough wrapped on a heated mandrel and roasted over a flame, then rolled in cinnamon sugar



Very tasty




After a short time at the Mannheim Christmas market we headed back to the ship for lunch and an afternoon departure for Speyer, where we will go ashore to visit the Christmas market there which is reputed to be very good.



The Ferryman and 8 Emperors Sculpture at the Rhine entrance to Speyer

The walk into town from the port takes about 15 minutes, through a small forest, where the spires of the cathedral begin to come into sight and then it is just a matter of heading towards the cathedral. Just before the cathedral is the sculpture above which commemorates a local legend related to the defeat of Napoleon when he attempted to take Speyer.


Speyer Cathedral


Front view from the square where the Christmas market begins

The Speyer Christmas market is a large affair extending the length of the long street leading away from the cathedral down to the remains of the old city gate, Altportal.


Speyer Altportal

Looking down the street from the cathedral, the lights are already on even though it is only around 5 pm.


As usual, a Gluhwein vendor is always at the entrance to the market. This is probably the most elaborate one we have seen so far



More Gluhwein





 Drinks on offer


Lots of food options


A lot of effort has been put into Christmas decorations 



There is also an ice skating rink



After perhaps one too many gluhwein’s some ladies decide to take on the merry go round. 


It is now getting quite dark and we are soon due to be back on the ship, so had off along a poorly lit path to try and find our way back to the boat. The lit up image of a Christmas tree (below) was a welcome sight, as we knew it was located on the river bank.


Dinner on board was followed by an appearance by the crew to sing some Christmas carols followed by a Christmas trivia competition.


The crew making their grand entry for their performance 


Tonight we sail to Strasbourg.

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