Day 32 Schweinfurt - rest day

We've had a restful day in Schweinfurt. For the first time since we arrived in Germany, we had rain during the day; a few weeks ago there was overnight rain. 

At least we have been able to catch up with our washing and do some forward planning. Forward planning is a bit difficult though as my foot problem is lingering so we don't want to reserve accommodation too far ahead.

A couple of uninspiring photos from our accommodation in Schweinfurt on a wet day. 

By late afternoon the rain had stopped and we went for a walk to St Anton Kirche, St Anthony Catholic Church, which isn't far from where we're staying. 

St Anton Kirche, Schweinfurt. 

In the small side chapel. 

St Anton - St Anthony. 

St Anton Kirche is very modern - it was built between 2019 and 2023. The church is central within a big complex. A baptism was being held when we arrived so we went to a cafeteria on one side of the church and enjoyed hot chocolates, and a huge slice of chocolate cake for Jeff, while we waited for the baptism to finish.

We spoke with a man who was putting things away after the baptism and I asked him about Masses in Schweinfurt. He explained that Schweinfurt has just one priest who serves 9 parishes in and around Schweinfurt. This weekend was particularly difficult he said as several First Holy Communion Masses were held in the more outlying parishes. 

The chap spoke English with a strong American accent. This could be because there had been a huge American base here until recent years. 

A little about the American base:

US Army Garrison Schweinfurt  (USAG Schweinfurt) was the name of the garrison of the US Army Europe and Africa in Schweinfurt and the surrounding area, which existed from 1945 to 2014. From the 1990s until its complete dissolution in 2014, USAG Schweinfurt was one of the largest American bases in Europe and at times comprised over 12,000 people:  soldiers, civilian employees and family members, with civilians in the majority. A total of 100,000 American soldiers were stationed in Schweinfurt. During the Cold War, USAG Schweinfurt had the highest concentration of US combat units in West Germany . The Brönnhof training area was the third largest US Army training area in Europe. The garrison's total area was 29 km², even over 30 km² at the end of the Cold War, which was equivalent to the area of ​​Brussels . The civilian infrastructure for the Americans in the northwest of Schweinfurt was equivalent to that of a small American town.

Source: Wikipedia.