We arrived in Wurzburg in the morning and boarded a bus for the trip to the city of Rothenburg. The walled city was chartered in 1172 and many of the old buildings remain and others have been rebuilt to reflect the original construction after 40% of the city was destroyed in bombing in World War II.

After arriving at the city we walked along the Spitalgasse to the Market Place passing through Kobolzeller Gate in the Siebers Tower .  The Market Place contains the Town Hall and the City Councilors Tavern. The tavern has several clocks and two doors that open on the hour between 11 and 3 to reveal two "master draughts" from a legend that dates back to 1631.

The castle that was once part of the city is gone, but the castle gate and gardens remain. We had a great view of the old city from the castle gardens. We as we left the garden we stopped at the Franciscan Church. This church was less ornate than many of the churches we had visited in past cities.

The Protestant city boasts St. Jacob's Church which was started in 1311 but not completed until 1485. It is the largest church in the city and dominates the landscape with its double spire. We did go inside to get a picture.

It was getting on to lunch time, so we found a outdoor café and enjoyed a lunch of bratwurst and sauerkraut. We did enjoy the German food.

Many of the shops are adorned with decorative metal signs which indicate the kind of wares or food inside.

After lunch we devoted some time to shopping and then wandered back down Spitalgasse toward the spital bastian. Steps in the bastian led to the city wall, where you can walk most of the way around the city. We did not do the walk but did get up on the wall to take a picture. Behind the bastian was a small covered bridge.  


We will spend tomorrow in the town of Wertheim.