Rothenburg Germany

Day 81 Germany 4

Travelled: 91km to Rothenburg then to motorhome parking area in Cadolzburg (49.4612, 10.8518)

We really enjoyed our day in Rothenburg (also visited in 2018). 

As per usual we set off just after our morning coffee driving 40min/30km to Rothenburg.  By chance (GPS wanted to take us through one of the gates into town but we couldn’t fit so had to continue along the road) we found a free parking spot just at the foot of one of the towers.

We walked along the wall. 

We then entered the city at Kobolzell Gate, built around 1360.  

It’s also near the Plonlein/Siebers Tower, one of the most popular photo opportunities of the town.

We arrived in the Markt Platz just in time to see the clock struck 9am and see the windows open to re-enact the legend that in 1631 the victorious general challenged the mayor to down 7 pints of wine in one to so save the citizens from execution, which he succeeded in doing! 

George’s Spring is 7.5m deep and can hold  nearly 95000 litres! 

We strolled through the Castle Gate ( note the mask that was used to pour hot tar onto attackers). 

The Castle Gardens is on the site of the old castle built in 1142 and that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1356. 

We admired the views of the town from here. 

We made our way to another gateway, Klingen tower. 

St Wolfgang church is also part of the old fortifications.

From here we walked along the wall via Gallen Gate. 

Further along at Roder Gate we descended back into the town.  At the gate there is still the toll booth and gatekeepers cottage.

We strolled under the Roder Arch that was part of the first fortifications in around 1200.

Then it was serious shopping time… the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas shops are our favourites.

 

We may have bought a replica of one of the buildings in town..

We replenished our energy stores with a delicious Doner kebab that the Germans excel at.

Then we continued our trek on the old walls all the way to the Spital bastion, a very impressive 17th century fortification that has two inner courtyards, seven gates and an upper walkway that has canons at the ready.

So there ends our day as we make our way back to Bluey and pick an overnight spot in Cadolzburg closer to tomorrow’s destination. As we set off we hear distant thunder. We pop into Lidl for a few supplies and by the time we get out the heavens have opened. We drive through torrential rain and flooded roads but by the time we arrive an hour later the rain has eased and we look forward to a cool and quiet night.

When the rain stopped we went for a quick walk to have a look at the old town that is dominated by the castle built from 1250.