11 Sep 2010 Medieval Rothenburg

Started out at 8:30 this morning with another couple, the Halliday's in their car, and the rest of the Senior Missionaries. Arrived two hours later in Rothenburg Ob der Tauber (on the Tauber River) In 1866, William Riehl, a professor for History and Culture, hiked through the Tauber River Valley and reported his eventful walk in a newspaper. His impression was that " A walk through the Tauber Valley was a walk through German History." By following the narrow river, one passed the arenas of former Imperial Power. One of these was the free city of Rothenburg described as being the quaintest and most authentic medieval city of all medieval German cities. Today Rothenburg is still considered the most picturesque medieval city in the country. Artists such as Richter, Spitzweg and Wasser introduced motifs of street scenes from times past of the medieval town of Rothenburg.

The town started in the 12th Century through the building of a fortress by King Konrad III. It was said to be one of the most strategic Hogenstaufen strongholds. Thirty years later the wall was constructed that today completely surrounds the town of Rothenburg (over 2 miles long) The main fortress was destroyed in 1356 by an earthquake in Basel, Switzerland, but the stones were reused to build various churches around the city. In 1525 many of the peasants living here joined in the Peasant's War. Many craftsmen were sympathizers. The Margrave and his army seize the town and 23 rioters were publicly decapitated, their corpses left to decay in the Markt platz. The last official Catholic mass before the city was annexed to Bavaria in 1803, was celebrated in 1533. The official Religion is Protestant but most people still remain Catholic. The railroad did not come into Rothenburg until the late 1800's.

We took a two hour walking tour of the city of Rothenburg. We heard so much history about the city itself. The middle of the town is of course the Markt Platz where everything happens, celebrations, wedding processions, parties, dining, shopping and on weekends the Farmer's market. There was a little booth with a man pressing apples for applesaft or apple juice. We didn't get any but we heard that a mug of his juice was well worth the money at 5.oo euros. Next time we will catch that. The tour took us through the most important parts of town where we saw the Rathouse, the tall slim white building and next to it was the Mayor's house. The yellow building is the the pub and then restaurants are along the side of the Markt. Some of the buildings are in the Gothic style and some in the Renaissance. Alot of the beautiful buildings were owned by Patricians who were the wealthy people mainly involved in money making businesses such as textiles, metals and food products. They lived like kings but the poorer people lived in huts outside the main streets. All, however, were protected by the city walls that completely surround the city. We hiked to the top of the Wall and saw a beautiful panorama. Hope you like those pictures. I took a picture of Gene standing by a defense opening in the city wall. This is for shooting crossbows. The guide told us every boy got their first one at 12 years old, they were officially a soldier by then. It was easier, faster and less noisy to use a crossbow, just a point to interject. You are probably wondering who are the people picnicing outside the fortress walls? It was just a group that lived there and every weekend they roast a huge pig on a spit, head and all. I guess they share it with the locals who leave them alone during the week.

An interesting fact that we learned on the tour was that Loebt Strauss was a Jewish citizen who lived in Rothenburg during the 1800's. At that time Jews were still being persecuted by not letting the craftsman join the Guilds at that time. Loebt sailed to American changed his name to Levi and joined the California Gold Rush. After settling in San Francisco he started his textile business of canvas which were first used for ships sails. He designed pants for the gold miners. His apprentice, a Polish man, got no credit for his invention of the rivets that were placed on the pants. That is how Levi Strauss's levis were invented. See how smart you are now? I never knew that.

We shopped at Katy Wohlfahrts year round Christmas store. It was out of this world, anything you would want to buy. It is definately a place to take your family. There was a antique car show going on at the Markt but the only car I saw that was old was the Opel so I took that picture for Pete. I finally found something for me, the starting of a new collection of replica buildings in Germany. I picked out three beautiful structures that I will display at Christmas time. Everyone can come see them in two years. Then we went to eat. The restaurant we ate at was the yellow building and the food was good. The couple we went with spoke German so we finally got what we think we ordered. I ate salmon with Hollandaise sauce, boiled potates with Herbs & salad, Gene had a Schwein (pork) steak with pommes frittes (french fries) they were both good. You guessed it we ate an eis for dessert. My favorite is no longer Zitrone(lemon) it is Petachio, YUM.
I guess you saw the man in the peasant hat eating with his wife, Gene said you have to get a picture of that for our blog. I guess he wants to wear one of those when he gets home, please help me now. I took pictures of a couple who had gotten married in one of the churches there and afterward they walked through the Markt Platz. Thought Rachel would enjoy the wedding dress. I think this is a tradition for just married couples, they walk through town with a procession behind them. Kind of nice I think, then they go back to a nice restaurant and have a huge dinner with all their friends. Another picture I just had to take was a family, at least the men in the family, who were all wearing their Lieder Hosen. That was just beyond words. I want all my grandsons to wear them. Maybe we can get some, any takers?

We left to go home, tired as usual but content that we were filled again with Historical data and memories that will last us a lifetime. Looking forward to tomorrow, Apostle Nelson will speak to us at the Frankfurt Stake Conference. Some more inspirational moments to write about. Tschuss