Climbing the Clock Tower in Amberg

One of Amberg’s major landmarks is St. Martin’s Basilika. Its clocktower rises high above the walled city center, and is one of my favorite sights.

 Ever since we arrived here, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to climb up inside the tower. As a going away gift, a friend here who is a tour guide in Amberg took me out for breakfast and then all over town, telling me the stories behind many places in Amberg. It was so much fun, and really interesting. The highlight was climbing up the hundreds of stairs of the clock tower and getting beautiful views of Amberg from there.

Here is the little door that leads to the stairwell. The top of the door frame was at about eye-level, a good clue to the fact that people in the medieval era were much smaller than we are now!

 Up in the rafters of the church– you could see outside between the cracks in the roof tiles.

 I think this giant wheel has something to do with pulleys and bells ringing, but I couldn’t see exactly how. I don’t think it’s a functional part anymore.

 Stairs and stairs and more stairs!

 There is a room near the top where the watchman/ bell-ringer/ banner waver/ trumpet herald would stay while on duty.

There is a little balcony that goes around the tower beneath the clock faces, which allowed us to see amazing views of Amberg.

 We cross that little bridge every day on the way to Amelia’s kindergarten.

 The pink building on the left is a castle!

 The Market Square… Only a few vendors out in the winter.

What a wonderful way to spend the morning!

I loved seeing Amberg this way, and have more to show soon!