Kate and I went to Rothenburg earlier this week... it is one of three walled cities left in Germany and is situated along the "Romantic Road" which stretches from Fussen in south (Foothills of the Alps) to Wurtzburg in the north. Situated at the intersection of two important trade routes, the city prospered in the early days. In 1274, Rothenburg was designated a "Free Imperial City" and was one of the 20 largest cities in the Holy Roman Empire. The Thirty Years War (Catholics vs. Protestants) began in 1618 and in 1631, General Tilly of the Imperial Catholic Army chose Rothenburg for a winter quarters. The people of Rothenbrug chose to fight (5,500 vs. Gen. Tilly's 40,000 men). However, the main storehouse of gunpowder situated in a tower on the exterior wall exploded and Rothenburg's chances went up in smoke. Tilly's men pillaged the town and in 1634 the Black Plague took what Tilly's army didn't. Rothenburg would sit dormant for 250 years before before being rediscovered in the late 1880's. Fast forward to World War II...in March of 1945 a German general and his troops left battered Nuremberg and moved to Rothenburg where the order was given to defend the town to the last man. On March 31st, 16 planes dropped bombs on Rothenburg killing 39 people and destroying six public buildings and over 300 houses. However, due to fog, the bombs had missed the city's center. It was further preserved by Deputy Secretary of State, General John McCloy. He knew of the city's beauty from his mother's paintings, who had visited before the war. He gave the order that the town should be spared if the citizens could guarantee that the town would no longer be used for further resistance. Negotiators caught the German General out of town and the German Major left in command, knowing the war was lost, agreed to surrender. The date was April 17th.
Rothenburg's wall is 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles) long and 6 meters (nearly 20 feet) high.
Now that you know the history, how about some pictures...
Looking into the city center with Christmas booths lining the market
Similar picture to the first the next day... that first building is the Rathaus (City Hall)
Outside one of the towers along the gate.
Kate + The Night Watchmen before the tour.
Night Watchmen in his shop the next day.
Looking along the gate much of which can be walked.
St. Jakobs Luthern Church... this is the masterpiece by famous sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider completed over six years in 1505. You'll see the scene is of the Last Supper where Jesus is giving Judas a morsel of bread. John is laying in Jesus' lap although its hard to see in this picture. Judas is actually removable and they typically remove him between Good Friday and Easter.
Dinkelbuhl, another town along the Romantic Road
Opening night at the Nuremberg Christmas market.
Be blessed,
Jason
