The Romantic Road

On the way back from our trip to Garmisch we decided to take the Romantic Road. The Romantic Road is a stretch of road between Wurzburg and Fussen that is suppose to be the most picturesque road in all of Germany. Many of the towns still have retained their Medieval Character. The Romantic Road encompasses some of Germany's most toured cities such as Rothenburg and Schwangau, the home of Schloss Neuschwanstein. We didn't stop at every city but here are a few we did stop at.

DINKLESBUHL

There are several cities we stopped at along the Romantic Road but Dinklesbuhl was our favorite. Dinklesbuhl was established in the 8th Century and is a completely unbroken medieval city. In July every year the town has a festival known as the "Kinderfest". This festival is in thanks to the children of Dinklesbuhl who in 1632 pleaded with the Swedes not to pillage and destroy their town. The children were successful in pleading with the Swedes and this festival is in thanks to them. The festival is currently going on now and we hope to make it out to Dinklesbuhl next weekend.

Dinklesbuhl was such a delight. We didn't get to spend as much time there as we would have liked. We hope to head back there very soon to explore some more.



The Altes Rathaus built in 1361

Center of the Marketplatz

The Rothenburg gate.

The "Deutsches Haus" dates back to the 16th century.


HARBURG

Another stop on the Romantic Road was Harburg. Harburg was first mentioned in records as early as 1150. Harburg Castle is one of the most well preserved castles in Germany. This castle has been in the possession of the same family for over 700 years.





NORDLINGEN


Nordlingen's earliest records date back to 898. In 1219 it was known as one of the most important trade fairs in all of upper Germany. During the Thirty Year War the town lost much of its political and economic power. Today the town's wall is still in tact. Nordlingen reminds me a lot of Rothenburg only without all the tourist which I enjoyed quite a bit.

The Altes Rathaus built in the 13th Century as the center of the trade market.


Löpsinger Gate built in 1388


The Winter's house. The corner post is protected by an original modern corner-stone called "Hundsbrunzer".

Above the door of the Winter's House is written "Soli Deo Gloria"

St. George's Church