Rothenburg day 2

Well get ready. This is big. Heaps of pics. It’s impossible to ignore the gold in this town. Rothenburg ob der Tauber was always going to be a blogging challenge but will this be the biggest? I hope so!! Sooo… today we entered town through the 14^th century Galgentor (Gallows Gate), so called because, back in the day, public executions took place right here outside Galgen Gate in front of the tower.

We walked along Galgengasse. Weisser Turm (White Tower – 1172) can be seen down the road.

Yes we have grey sky yet again, and today it’s quite cold!! Summer??? Huh, may as well be a Wellington summer! We have the jackets on, and the white legs have no chance of gaining any colour (which I’m sure will please all of you!). There’s a hint of drizzle in the air, but we have the brollies ready. Grrrr.. these photos would be much nicer with blue sky!!!!

At Weisser Turm.

The white haired guy stands tall on White Tower.

Another tower within a tower. Galgen Tower/Gate inside Weisser Turm.

Building art.

Front door art.

Klingentor gate (formerly a water tower – built between 1380 and 1390) on the north-west corner of the old town. aka Klingenbastei.

St Wolfgang’s Church (just through Klingentor). aka Wolfgangskirche mit Schfertanzkabinett.

A door in the tower at ground level. It’s all grey today!

It’s raining now so this is perfect timing. We’re at the northern most point where the wall can be accessed. We’ll walk it as far as it takes us (it’s all under cover!).

Looking down Klingengasse at the start of the wall walk.

Off we go.

All along the way we see plaques in the wall. For a ‘donation’ you can have your name added to the wall – permanently. The minimum donation is currently about €1,200. Start saving. A great fund raising idea by Rothenburg! Here’s a recent addition.

I wish Kath wouldn’t lean on the wall while I’m taking these photos!

Not a lot of head room in parts.

Through another tower.

Inside another junction point.

Looking towards Galgentor.

Kath at Galgentor.

Murray at Galgentor.

Looking along Galgengasse to Weisser Turm. Yup we’ve effectively looped back.

Looking back.

Tower art.

Audi drive through.

Weisser Turm with St Jakob’s Kirche (St James’s Church) at right.

Galgengasse at the base of Weisser Turm.

Good views into people’s yards along this journey. I mean… who wouldn’t want to own a trio of blue sheep!

A patio amongst the rooftops!

This walk offers up some great photos (well I think so anyway!).

Steps to the ground at Rodertor (1280).

Rodertor (which we climbed yesterday).

At Rodertor.

Looking back.

Roder Gate.

My favourite property on this walk!

Across the roof tops.

Nearly at the end point – Spitalbastei (Spital Bastion).

Looking back.

The roof cavity.

Tower art.

Through Spitalbastei into the bastion.

The wall walk is done! Another ‘must do’ whilst in Rothenburg ob der Tauber! Bridge in behind Spitalbastei.

Spitalbastei gate.

Kath at the gate entrance.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber! We just walked all of the wall that can be walked. From the tower at the top of the map, looping down the right side to the tower at the very bottom. An easy and pleasant bit of exercise. But the walking isn’t finished yet!!

We headed up Spitalgasse to Siebersturm (Sieber’s Tower).

View through Siebersturm on to Plonlein.

Street art.

Along Untere Schmiedgasse.

Street art.

OMG!

The crappy weather helped with a decision to visit the Kriminalmuseum. Torture through the middle ages. I have to say – it’s well worth a look.

Someones’s gotta do it and it wasn’t gonna be me!

Here’s a sample. First… the rack.

A Shame mask for men.

A Shame mask for talkative women. The bell would ring with each turning of the head. I couldn’t imagine there ever being a need for this. <insert Tui advert here>

Loads of stuff in here. Executioner’s swords.

Executioner’s mask.

Executioner’s axe .

Executioner’s attire (borrowed from Jon Snow???)

Speaking of torture. We were getting a bit peckish so headed back to the butcher / delicatessen where Muzza picks up a Fleischkase mit Brotchhen. Box ticked Liz! Very nice as well – thanks for the tip! 🙂

Ok.. moving on around to Burggasse now. The stork chicks are active high up in their rooftop nests.

Down by the Tauber River.

Burgtor (Castle Gate) dates back to 1172.

The late comer’s door. If you didn’t get back inside the city walls by a certain curfew time then you’d be locked out. Last chance was through a door in the gate.

Hotel art. Nice.

Fountain art.

Drunks.

Back to Marktplatz we sat outside a cafe/bar and had a few drinks. It gives you a better feel for the place when you just sit and watch for a bit.

Street art

Beer stop for JB. A refreshing Radler.

Tempted to climb the Rathaus tower (220 steps so not too bad), but had a beer instead.

Meanwhile it’s 3pm and the mayor at the City Councillor’s Tavern has to take another drink.

The vintage rolls up so I snap a pic while Kath order’s me another beer. I suggested she gets something different this time.

She got me something different alright. And the taste matched the first impression. 🙂

Ok Danella, here’s your police car. Quite amazed to even see one here, coz I imagine they’d have nothing to do.

It’s time to head down Hafengasse and back to base. Here we see Markusturm (Markus Tower – 1204) which incorporates the Roeder Arch which dates back to the 12th century and was part of the original fortification of Rothenburg. Underneath the tower is the old prison or Beadle House (Buetthaus).

Markusturm from the east side. I think I posted one similar yesterday. Dahh… too many!

On Rodergasse.

Heading out of Roder Gate to the supermarket which we found was closed. It’s Sunday!!

Roder Gate from the outside.

Random guy at random street sign is wondering what that F place translates into.

All done for today. We’ve made the most of this beautiful old town and clearly thrashed the camera!! Tomorrow we’ll head south in search of blue sky and summer.