Rothenberg

Rothenburg sits near the north end of the Romantic Road in Germany, and is perhaps the only surviving medieval city in Germany with a complete city wall.



Most German cities were damaged during WW II, but Rothenburg was small and lucky enough to escape the war's ravages. I felt like I had stepped back in time 1000 years as we wandered through the village streets.



Jenny found a Christmas store, and spent over an hour there selecting from the ornaments, nutcrackers, and other gifts available.



Legend has it that a destroying army passed through Germany, pillaging cities, with Rothenburg next to be decimated. The mayor met the army, and begged for his city to be spared. The army's leader declared that if the mayor could drink a stein of beer in a single swig, he would spare the village. The mayor met the challenge, and Rothenburg was left was left unscathed. While we were in Rothenburg, one of the villagers was conducting a tour of the city in English. He told the group that within the last year that this legend was shown to be fictitious. The army did come to Rothenburg, but the mayor actually bribed the army, giving food and other goods in return for sparing the city. The story of the beer, he concluded, was made up to enhance the mayor's reputation.



After leaving town, we hurried to Heidelberg, passing charming German Villages on the way.