Rothenburg - One of Germany's top five!

We have visited enough sites now to acquire a sense when a place stands out and is worthy of particular attention.  If I were suggesting a must-see place Rothenburg would rank amongst the top 5.  I loved Rudesheim - the air tram and the trip down the Rhine for the sheer beauty which is Germany.  I enjoyed Kassel for the romance portrayed in its art, architecture and parks.  Trier grabbed me and took me back almost 2000 years with its historic Roman landscape.  The cathedral in Cologne deserves a place for its magnificent form and presence.

 Rothenburg is, in its entirety, a marvelous step back in time.  The 16th century comes alive in this little town.
It is entirely walled, unlike any other place we have seen to date.  It is quaint, cute, clean and true to life.  I was looking at a sketch in a store window of  a mid 16th century scene and as I examined it more carefully, (see street scene) I realized is was a scene of the very street I was on.

This was one instance where we opted to forgo an intriguing museum dedicated to the crime and punishment of the period.  We couldn't resist the photo opportunity though.


On entering the walled city, we climbed a narrow precipitous staircase and proceeded along a narrow wooden parapet that followed the outer wall which encircles the entire city.  From this vantage point, we had a birds eye view of the old inner city.  The wooden framework of the parapet retained the original dowels and the limited headroom spoke of its somewhat shorter former residents.  This could have been a long walk, so we abandoned our original intention to follow it for the duration and sought our first opportunity for egress. From there we proceed through the streets.  We were told by some American visitors that this day was a special one because the city was hosting special walking tours of the inner and outer portions of the walls.  During the course of the day we saw many Germans, many with walking sticks and some dressed in traditional garb purposefully walking the streets. There was a celebratory feel to the processions.  It was a gorgeous day and Arendje and I walked down one street after another
fully enjoying the experience.  We stopped and talked
to some of those we passed to get our bearings.
People were friendly and every shop we entered, they  readily recognized us as foreigners and spoke to us in English.  My initial reluctance to speak in English in some places has long since passed.  Most everyone  makes an attempt to speak to us in English, albeit the younger Germans tend to be much better at it than the older ones.

This is one place I have not made the effort to research.  I found that little was needed to add to this experience.  I have allowed my feelings and initial impressions to influence my comments.
Arendje said that this would be a place to return to see the 'Tour of the Night Watchman'.  It is a recounting of the important role of the night watchmen whose job was to keep everyone safe.  He goes around the city telling stories and legends.  This was the lowliest of jobs fraught with danger.  He carried a hellebarde which looks like an ax on a large stick.  Not one to mess with!

The shops also were fascinating, containing swords, armor
- a true tourist trap of accouterments for those who have a
hankering for German historical wares.This is the setting that inspired Walt Disney for the film Pinocchio and also Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang.  Arendje, of course, was caught up in the dresses and  period wardrobe.  She took this picture and looked
 longingly at it, imagining what it would look like on one of granddaughters.  She concluded she could make it for far less than what they were asking.  Even I could appreciate the colors and unique look  of the Bavarian traditional dress and styles.

We had a wonderful day!  You can be sure if any of you come this way, this is one place we will take you.  I am sure you would be captivated by the charming, isolated Bavarian town.