Saint Peter’s church in Bacharach, Germany. May 23, 2018

The half-timbered buildings and cobblestones streets, which can be found throughout the town of Bacharach, Germany, add charm and whimsy to the place. May 23, 2018

At one time, along Germany’s Rhine River, passing boats were required to pay tools. This Pfalzgrafenstein Castle is a toll castle on a small island in the middle of the Rhine. May 23, 2018

The facade of the Speyer Cathedral in Speyer, Germany, is simple and beautiful with meaning behind its architectural designs. The five figures represent the martyrs of Christianity and patron saint of the cathedral. And, the circular rose window symbolizes the divine. It’s four corners are marked by the emblems of the four Evangelists (eagle, winged man, lion and ox). These are the worldly heralds who have brought the divine message to us through the four gospels. May 24, 2018

Above the central portal facade or entrance to the Speyer Cathedral in Speyer, Germany, are five figures that represent the first martyrs of Christianity and the patron saint of the cathedral. From left to right: St. Stephen; the archangel Michael, patron of Germany; Mary, the Mother of God, the main patroness of the cathedral; St. John the Baptist, as this is the first baptistery of the diocese; and Bernard of Clairvaux, the most renowned visitor of the cathedral in the Middle Ages of 1146. May 23, 2018

During the early Middle Ages, Speyer, Germany, was one of the most important Jewish communities north of the Alps. Our Rick Steves Germany tour group and the Rick Steves European tour group standing outside the Judenhof which contains the medieval synagogue, the ritual bath and the ShPIRA Museum in Speyer. May 24, 2018

In 1084, the first Jewish community in Speyer, Germany was established. These headstones, part of the Judenhof’s ShPIRA Museum, were from the Jewish cemetery to the north of Speyer. Jewish cemeteries are intended to last forever; however in Speyer, the sacred rest of the dead was destroyed after some 400 years. After the decline and extinction of the Jewish community around 1500, the cemetery was broken up. About 50 gravestones dating between 1112 and 1443 were recovered. Their Hebrew inscriptions tells the story of that individual’s life. May 24, 2018

The remains of the ritual bath at the Judenhof (the Jews’ courtyard) from the first Jewish community in Speyer, Germany. The dJewish ritual bath of Speyer, which was built around 1120, is the oldest of its kind north of the Alps. The Hebrew word “Mikva” means something like “a collecting place for water.” Ritual cleansing after periods of impurity requires “living” water, for instance river or spring water, ground water or rain water. May 24, 2018

Entering the remains of the ritual bath, requires descending a set of stone stairs at the Judenhof (the Jews courtyard) from the first Jewish community in Speyer, German. May 24, 2018

After descending the first set of stairs, there’s a antechamber and a set of semi-circular stairs that leads down into this immersion pool at the Judenhof (the Jews courtyard) from the first Jewish community in Speyer, German. May 24, 2018

Tour member Davey standing in between the bronze rabbi statues at the Judenhof (the Jews’ courtyard) from the first Jewish community in Speyer, Germany. May 24, 2018

Along the sides of the nave through the pillars is the chronology of the six days of Creation at the Speyer Cathedral in Speyer, Germany, that depicts the scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary along the nave. May 24, 2018

Alice and Tammy standing opening the huge bronze door main entrance to the Speyer Cathedral in Speyer, Germany. The bronze door depicts Christ as Good Shepherd with scenes illustrating events in Christ’s life. May 24, 2018

Mary’s presence is ubiquitous in the Speyer Cathedral in Speyer, Germany. This large statue of Mary is at the entrance to the choir at the altar of the cathedral. May 24, 2018