Walhalla

Along the banks of the river Danube which flows through the city of Ratisbona, called Regensburg in German, this impressive neo-classical temple, built during the first half of the eighteenth century by the German architect Leo von Klenze, rises up on top of a hill. The idea was to create a building, clearly inspired by the architecture of the famous Panthenon in Athens, in which would have been placed boards and commemorative plaques and especially the busts of the most important German characters who have shaped the history and culture of their country, such as Martin Luther, Albert Einstein, Otto von Bismarck, Richard Wagner, Johann Sebastian Bach and many others.

You are probably asking yourself what does the word "Walhalla" mean. The Valhalla, correctly spelled, belongs to the Norse mythology and is the palace where the dead souls of people who gloriously fought and died in battles were carried to by the Valkyries. However, what they are going to face is not the deserved eternal rest, but it is actually the beginning of a hard training in order to fight in the final clash against the Giants under Odin's guide. Don't you find the Norse mythology really fascinating?

Anyway, the Walhalla is not located in the city center: we took the bus and the trip lasted about half an hour. Once we arrived at the bus stop, we had to go on following a dirt path in a small wood until the beginning of the endless stairs. I cannot deny that it was a bit hard, but making a break (taking some pictures) you will easily reach the top. Just think about how many beautiful places the Danube, with its very long route, touches with its water!

Well, I must tell you this: sometimes I really do not understand what goes wrong when asking someone to take a picture of you; if I underline the importance of including the monument behind us in the picture, for which reason they do not do it, making the picture almost useless?! This is what happened to us with these pictures.

Ok, I love these pictures in any case because I am with my friends, but my opinion about this does not change at all! Here I was with Martina (Italy), Caty, Emma and Maria (Spain), Yas (Argentina), Natalia (Poland) and Matej (Slovenia).

The Walhalla is a very appreciated tourist hub and therefore it is always crowded, but after visiting it you can lay on the grass or sit on the stairs and watch the landscape. Do not panic, coming down hundreds of stairs is much more easier than going up!