Good Friday

When we were in Jerusalum, we walked all 14 stations of the Via Dolorosa. It wasn't any type of a procession though (just our family and tour guide). My friend told me that they have a procession in Bamberg on Good Friday, and I wanted to go. Friday morning, we woke up bright and early (had to be there at 5:00 am) to gather with the arch bishop (and about 4000 other people -literally) to make the walk all of the way from the town up to the castle and back down, stopping at the different crosses to say prayers. It was a very moving experience. At the beginning, the cobblestone streets were dark, only lit by candles, and then as the sun came up, the fog still kind of covered the city. I kept thinking about the annual tradition, and how Bamberg has probably done this for over 1000 years. A very neat experience!  *as a random side note, I was especially impressed with the fact that many of the 4000 represented, were over 60 years old - to walk hills for 3 hours really showed their fitness level :-)

This is a map (actually a puzzle) to show you the castle up on the hill... (just left of the letter "B")

Random photo (Mia wanted me to share the Easter egg photos) :-)

Meeting in the city at 5:00 am

A cross along the way (one of the stops) lit by a lantern

Almost to the castle....

The cross led the procession

The arch Bishop at one of the stations...

along the way...

The top of the hill, over looking Bamberg - covered in fog...

The highest point along the way

I was amazed at how many people participated...

(I was probably a little "paparazzi - ish", but I really wanted to remember this...:-))