As we continue travels through Germany, we come to what I call the “Cutest Old Town in Europe”. Rothenburg is a town in northern Bavaria known for its medieval architecture. Half-timbered houses line the cobblestone lanes of its old town. The town walls include many preserved gate houses and towers, plus a covered walkway on top so you can actually walk around the old city walls looking through the defensive port holes on the walls.
In October 1631, during the Thirty Years' War, the Catholic Count of Tilly, wanted to quarter his 40,000 troops in Protestant Lutheran Rothenburg. Rather than allow entrance, the town defended itself and intended to withstand a siege. However, Tilly's troops quickly defeated Rothenburg, losing only 300 soldiers. A popular legend called the Meistertrunk states that when General Tilly condemned the councilmen to death and was set to burn the city down, the councilmen tried to sway him with a large drink of 3 1/4 liters wine. Tilly proclaimed that if anyone could drink it all in one drink, he would spare the city. The mayor at the time, Georg Nusch, succeeded, and General Tilly kept his word. True or Not – who knows?
At any rate, Rothenburg is a great town to spend the day in. (click on the pictures to enlarge)