Climbing the Munster's tower by jayhawk2000
For someone with no head for heights, I've gladly trotted up church towers. Some are a doddle, thanks to enclosed stairwells or broad steps.But tackling the tallest church spire in the world, now that's different. At Ulm you ascend a tight spiral, with a window every few steps. Then the windows become more frequent and the glass is replaced by wire mesh. Suddenly it's a lot more...er, breezy!
It didn't feel like we were climbing the stairs of a stout building, it felt more like we were in a tiny column. The stone handrail is puny, so there's not much to grab onto either. My palms are sweating again even now.
Halfway up is a large balcony encircling the tower for astounding views. There are many interesting buildings around the town to admire and, as the guidebooks say, you get a close-up look at the stonework of the spire. Too close for my liking!
A room in the tower shows photos of other great cathedrals like St Pauls, Strausborg and Koln as if to say 'Yes, they are all nice, but ours is taller so nyah-nyah!' You can peer down a portal and see the bells 100 feet under your shoes, with another portal below them showing the cathedral floor.
With only another 300 or so steps to go to the very very top, I suggested we'd gone far enough. If you are freaked out at all by heights or tight spaces, DO NOT attempt the climb. Luckily, there are detours along the way if you want to bail and head back!
Adults pay 3 euro for admission to the tower.
