A German Autumn

What I like most about Germany is its diversity. On the first picture, the castle of Schwetzingen with its ostentatious garden and its blinding white sculptures. This is the historical and aristocratic face of Germany.

Then Heidelberg, another southern city of Germany. Architecture first. A (water?) tower emerging from behind a brick house along the Neckar river. Normally I try to avoid to take picture against the light. But I must admit I finally like this one. Its vintage flavour. And this strange building found while walking aimlessly in a residential area. I love the contrast between the soft curves and the hard angles on its upper part. The structure on its walls makes it look like an open book that welcome the visitor. The tower remind us in a very dreamlike way the cabin we built in trees during our childhood. And finally street-art and a bicycle, two important part of nowadays Germany in my eyes. Heidelberg isn't a great street-art spot like Berlin. Actually street artworks are so rare in this aristocratic city that when I found this purple face looking down I couldn't stand from taking a picture. Has it been painted when the bike was already on the foor to give the impression the character is looking at it? Or is it a pure coincidence? 

Speaking about street art, here two artworks I've found in the legendary Sankt-Pauli neighboroud in Hamburg. This black and white proud eagle and this message ("Lampedusa") in tribute to the migrants that try to reach this Italian island to start a new life. Because Germany is also made of those left-wing areas like Sankt-Pauli. 

Germany has also a very industrial face. Not as much as before of course, but some areas still has a very strong industrial atmosphere, like this building in Hamburg.

Close to its twin aristocratic sister, lies the industrial city of Mannheim that is converting into a more artistic city, like many former industrial places. The picture has been taken during an art festival organised in the whole city. Street art and art in general is much more visible in Mannheim than in Heidelberg, more famous for its old town and its castle. Those two neighbouring towns perfectly symbolize the diversity of Germany.