Rothenburg

One could get used to these wonderful four day weekends. After enjoying a leisurely Saturday AND Sunday together, Daniel and I woke up Monday morning and drove to Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber. Upon arrival, we checked into our hotel and decided to make our first purchase in the fairytale town ... an umbrella. Thrilling, right? Perhaps not, but considering the rainy weather, very useful. Sadly, this meant leaving my new Sony toy in the hotel room to avoid damaging it before I even learned to use it. Good news is, Tuesday was much less rainy and slightly less foggy so the camera was able to make its debut.

 

Our charming hotel, directly outside the wall. Perfect location. With onsite parking we were able to walk wherever we needed to go.  

 

From our hotel window we could see one of the towers (pictured below).

 

  

 

The wall that wraps around the entire city.

We climbed these steps and were able to walk around the top of the wall.

 

There's just something about exposed brick.

 

 

 

One of the most famous "picture spots" in Rothenburg. On our way towards this iconic spot, we decided it was time for a snack. If there is one thing Germany is never short on, its bakeries. This vision was the closest target and therefore, the lucky winner of our business.

 

We opted for the irresistible German pretzel, but failed to get a picture as they were quickly consumed.

 

Standing in the middle of Market Square.

The 13th-century Town Hall. The meeting point for the "Night Watchman's Tour". This tour is one of the main reasons we decided to stay overnight. On the tour we were able to follow the night watchman on his "rounds" as he shared stories about medieval Rothenburg. One of the most entertaining and informative tours I've ever been on. Best 7 euros to date.      

 Councillor's Tavern.

 

 

Okay, second only to the Watchman's tour my absolute favorite part of the trip - across the street from the Market Square ... the GIANT, magical Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village Shop and German Christmas Museum.

Sadly, but understandably we were not allowed to take pictures inside. Let me just tell you though, magical is an understatement. Stepping into this store I was instantly ready to embrace all things Christmas. I'd imagine, even in the middle of April, entering this store would evoke much of the same emotion. It also made me long to be sitting in the Boston Opera House, watching the Boston Ballet Company gracefully perform The Nutcracker over and over again. It took everything in me to holdback from covering every inch of our home in Christmas décor the second we walked in the door Tuesday night.  

St. Jakob's Church (St. Jakobskirche). Built in the 14th century. On our tour we learned that it took over 180 years for the construction of this masterpiece.

Churches ...another thing Germany is not short on. Bakeries and churches.

The Main Alter (from 1466).

500-year-old, 35-foot-high Alter of the Holy Blood.

 

The Castle Garden (Burggarten). Also learned on our tour that several movies have come here to film scenes - the latest being Harry Potter.

 

View from the Garden - where the Red Castle, destroyed in the 14th-century once stood. You can also see more of the wall.  

(Still playing around with the camera and all its marvelous settings and options)

This is the part where I won't admit that this picture is my new computer AND phone background. xoxo stud!

 

I really do love old doors.

If you squint, you can see an adorable, not so tiny teddy in "Teddy Land".

 

Thin, crispy, handmade pizza. No regrets.

 

And that in a nutshell, is our trip to Rothenburg.