Speyer is an independent city with around 50,000 inhabitants. The city on the Rhine was founded by the Romans and is one of the oldest cities in Germany.
The most famous landmark of the city in Rhineland-Palatinate is the Speyer Cathedral.
The Basilica has two domes and four towers and was founded in 1030 under Conrad II. The cathedral has long been a monument of power and served as a burial place for emperors and kings.
From the steps at the entrance to the exterior wall of the east apse, the cathedral measures 134 meters. The external width is about 38 meters. The height of the eastern spires is 71,20 meters, the western spires is a little lower at 65,60 meters. With these dimensions, it is the largest preserved Romanesque church in the world.
The Speyer Cathedral has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1981.
Another heritage for the people of Speyer is surely the pretzel. Throughout the city you will find stalls selling the baked goods, which are dipped in lye before baking.
Every year the city even hosts a folk festival dedicated to the twisted knot shaped bread. The Speyer Brezelfest was founded in 1910 in response to the initiative of Speyer breweries, pretzel bakers and tobacco manufacturers, among others, to increase sales.
Today, the festival is considered the largest folk festival in the Upper Rhine every year on the second weekend in July. During the four days more than 300.000 visitors visit the festival. A highlight is certainly the procession, in which 22.000 pretzels are thrown among the spectators, as well as attractions, food stands and fireworks.
The fun fairs in spring and autumn are a little smaller. The “Frühjahrsmesse” and the “Herbstmesse” are nevertheless worth a visit.
