This article is written by Sathish K, a Software Professional and travel writer, based in Bangalore
Speyer is about less than half-an-hour journey by train from Mannheim. This place has one of the biggest Cathedrals in Germany. There is some hsitory behind this cathedral which I forgot.
The Speyer Cathedral, Germany
The other most preferred place of visit in this place is the Technical Museum. The entry ticket is 11euros. This is a huge complex. The first part is inside the building.
The Speyer Technical Museum
Once you enter there is big machine. If you want put 3euros in the slot provided then this machine will start up and give you a coin which can be taken as momento, which is what I did.
Inside the building one can find trains, cars and jet fighters. You can also climb up the ladder to see the engine of the train. They have the first ever steam engine out there.
One other train, the engine can be started by putting 1euro coin. Though the train would not move physically one just watch the smoke emitted and wheels rotating. To not waste my 1euro when someone started off the engine I ran there to see its movements and take few snaps. If in my album you find photos hazy with train wheels behind it, its coz of this.
In another place there is a generator which is used for cutting tools and even this generator can be started by putting 1euro coin. Here I put 1euro to start the machine.
One can just marvel watching how it works and how big these generators were in those days.
Of course there is nothing much to see with the cars. Its all just show pieces. The jet fighters interiors are explained and also how the pilot can escape during emergency.
There is a big musical instrument which can also be started by putting 1euro coin. This will play for 20secs. I did not want to do it but heard it when some others did it. It does fill the area with sound.
There are two more floors in this building. The first floor looks more for kids, nothing much technical. In the second floor there is a huge apparatus and on figuring out the German words we understand its a Camera. (Unfortunately I do not have any space in flickr to upload photos, so they can be viewed in my album).
After completing the inside we come outside, here is where the fun is. There is a submarine, a ship, a helicopter, few MIG and Boeing 747 (Lufthansa).
Its not just show piece which you watch from outside and return. You can climb up the steps and go into each of these. We made a complete round of the submarine U-49. Of course we did not understand anything about the internals of the submarine but its a marvel of how complicated the entire system is. Since I am not fat and not tall either I was able to squeeze myself inbetween to have a closer look (as if I understood).
We went inside Antonov planes. You can go till the cockpit though you cant enter the cockpit. There is a glass door which prevents you.
We had a good look at the ship and helicopter similarly.
Then comes the big part, Boeing 747 of Lufthansa. Many people visit this museum for this plane alone. Why because one can walk on the wings which is about 22mts above ground. The view from the wing is amazing. Of course there is protection kept so that people dont fall off or go beyond a particular point. One would have never walked on the wing if you are not working in that field, so you can do so here.
Sathish K
28 Nov 2005
http://sathishk.wordpress.com/2005/11/28/speyer-germany-2/
