We got to see a bonus palace when our Italian relatives took us to Schwetzingen.
This mosque was a unique gem in the castle gardens.
The mosque’s interior was equally impressive as the exterior.
Following English trends and perhaps foreshadowing the fate of nearby Schloss Heidelberg, the small structure was purposefully built to appear like a ruin.
Every detail was well thought out.
Each area of the gardens had unique fountains. Here, water sprinkles down from the bird statues on the trellis above.
The gardens were a treat for the eye, with colorful buildings and flowers.
Like many palaces in Germany, the gardens were inspired by those of Versailles.
Sculptural trees always impress me.
Speyer was another small town near Heidelberg that we visited.
The cathedral is the largest Romanesque church in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The entry was richly detailed and glowing.
Our Italian cousins, who have lived in Germany for decades, showed us around Schwetzingen and Speyer on our last day together in Germany.

This site is not an official site of the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State. The views expressed on this site are entirely those of its author, Stephanie Kubus, and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State, or any of its partner organizations.