Germany Trip - Bavaria
Oct 2007
THE ROMANTIC ROAD
An area in Bavaria, South Germany, running from River Main to the Alps consisting of small towns and villages filled with fairy-tale castles, charming and quaint half-timbered houses, Gothic/Baroque churches...all with history,art,and culture. Scenic views range from fertile agricultural land to dramatic mountain scenery...a lovely, natural countryside.
SCHLOSS SOMMERSDORF
We stayed at a unique, historical, 14th century medieval castle with moat and catacombs beneath church on the Romantic Road. A tour of the castle and candelight dinner may be available. This is an excellent spot to locate in Franconia, Bavaria while touring the Romantic Road; the town has a population of 170. It is approximately 30 minutes by car to Rothenburg and Dinkelsbuhl and 15 minutes to the train in Ansbach.
ROTHENBURG
A most beautiful walled-in town, the quintessence of romantic, medieval towns with its handsome timbered patrician houses. The Romantic Road's crown jewel! and so well-preserved. Visit the town hall in the middle of market square. It is a Gothic building w/Renaissance wing and Baroque arcade. It's possible to climb the 240 steps one way to the top of the tower for great views of the city....for a small fee. The town hall clock has a glockenspiel type reenactment at 11am and 3pm. Don't miss St. Jacob's Church and the famous wooden sculpture of the Last Supper...the Holy Blood titlear done by famous artist, Tilman Riemenschneider. It's quite amazing! And...enjoy the famous Rothenburg Christmas Shop. Tourists do flock here, so visit either early morning or late afternoon.
DINKELSBUHL
So charming! Has fewer tourists than other Romantic Road spots. Walk the town wall and the cobblestone streets. Enjoy the ramparts, towers and gabled houses. A must see! Take a tour in a horse-drawn carriage. St. Georg's Gothic Church is worth a visit.
NORDLINGEN
This medieval walled-in town lies in one of the world's largest craters, formed by a meteorite millions of years ago. The Apollo 14 and 17 astronauts did their training here. Visit the Rieskrater Museum for more information. Climb the church tower (350 steps to top) for exceptional views. Check out the lovely Renaissance staircase of the town hall. Enjoy the town views as you walk around the wall.
DONAUWORTH
Historical old town of 20,000 people, it was originally a fishing village. The town hall remains as was since 1200's, titlehough it has been enlarged and titleered. There is also a glockenspiel sounding off at 11:00 and 4:00. A most imposing main street (the Old Imperial Highway), the reichsstrasse, runs through with charmingly renovated merchant houses. It is one of the prettiest in south Germany.
HARBURG
Here is one of the best preserved castles in Germany. This fortress with pointed red roofs and huge outside walls is 12th century. A tour through the castle lasts at least 30-60 minutes, including the tombs of former counts. The castle hill offers a great view of the Old Town Center and the Wornitz River. The castle now includes a restaurant.
CREGLINGEN
A small village of under 5,000 with many hiking and cycling routes. Creglingen is most famous for one of Tilman Riemenschneider's most beautiful carvings...the titlear of the Virgin Mary...found in the Herrgott Church, amidst other major works. The shrine is made of reddish pine wood w/light-colored Lindenwood figures. Another place of interest in Creglingen is the unique Thimble Museum.
BAD MERGENTHEIM
Former residence of the Grand German Masters of the order of Teutonic Knights. Famous for its castle with chapel and museum. Has international reputation as a spa town. A magnificient Renaissance town hall and Minster of St. John. The market square is surrounded by fine half-timbered buildings and Baroque palaces.
ROTTINGEN
A wonderful little wine-making village of approximately 2,000. Its historic town center is appealing with half-timbered buildings surrounding a Baroque town hall in the market place. Has a well-preserved ring of defensive walls. There is a hiking path taking one to hill graves and fortification remains. The Annual Romantic Road Festival is held here in the fabled Castle of Brattenstein during summer.
WEIKERSHEIM
Former residence of Princes of Hohenlohe. Village center styled to fit palace style. A beautiful Renaissance palace surrounded by magnificient gardens..Versailles style. Historical town is a recognized hetitleh resort. Good italian restaurant..La Piazza.
TAUBERBISCHOFSHEIM
One of the oldest towns in the Tauber Valley. The Turmer's Tower is the Castle of the Kurmainz Dynasty. The neo-Gothic town hall with glockenspiel on market square is striking (also houses tourist info office). Beautiful parks, gardens and fountains throughout. The outskirts have wayside shrines and statues of saints.
WOLFRAMS-ESCHENBACH
Named for Germany's great Medieval poet/author of Parsifal (later became a Wagnerian opera). Find lovely half-timbered houses, including the well-known titlee Vogtei Tavern/Hotel, formerly an administrative office for the ruling family. A very picturesque Franconian town...not flooded with tourists. There is a museum of literature which opened in 1994.
FEUCHTWANGEN
This town is so named (means wet cheeks) because Emperor Charlemagne once stopped to wet his face in the local stream. Known for its Cloister Festival, it boasts one of the largest, most traditional festivals in Bavaria. Stop for coffee at Café am Kreuzgang to view the Cloisters founded by Charlemagne in 768. The Franconian Museum offers ethnic art and has a unique choral museum. There is also a Bavarian casino.
FUSSEN
The Romantic Road ends in Fussen at the foot of the Schlossberg (castle hill). At this point, Schwangau, the castle in Fussen and the town of Fussen l ie set against the background of the steeply rising Alps...and in the background, rising high above are the two most famous Bavarian castles...Neuschwanstein, King Ludwig's fairy-tale Cinderella castle and Hohenschwangau, the King's family home.
Fussen has about 16,000 natives and has become a central tourist location. It is not only an historic old town. It's magnificient landscapes, local spa villages, total of ten lakes, hiking paths, ski runs and toboggan slopes make it attractive year round. It is a lovely, charming village, easy for walking, shopping, stopping in an outside café and people watching. Don't miss the Bavarian Rococo Heilig-Geist-Spital Church (on the way to the river lech) with its incredibly rich baroque interior. Fussen is a must see!
OBERAMMERGAU
Small town that hosts the Passion Play performed by local town people every ten years. The town is well-known for its intricate wood carvings. Lovely little shops with many Christmas items. Spend a few hours just walking, shopping and café stopping.
SCHWANGAU
The village of the king's castles. This is a great place to stay if you are visiting the castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. It's away from touristy Fussen and very close to the castles. Get a reservation before you go; make sure you can get tickets to the castle. You can do this on the internet. we stayed at the Landgasthof Zur Post Hotel and was satisified with the hotel.
NEUSCHWANSTEIN
Just magnificient! A must see! Be prepared for crowds unless you go in an off period like mid-October or later. Access to castle is either on foot (it can be a tiring walk); horse/carriage; or bus. There is walking to the Marienbrucke Bridge for photos, then down the hill, and up,up,up to Neuschwanstein. It is all worth the trip! The tour takes 30-45 minutes. King Ludwig's fanciful Cinderella castle is just a must see!
HOHENSCHWANGAU
This is the king's family castle...where he grew up. It too, is a photographer's dream!
WIESKIRCHE (MEADOW CHURCH)
The appearance of this rather plain white church surrounded by meadows and a mountain back drop is deceiving. Considered to be Bavaria's most beautiful Rococo structure...built by Dominikus Zimmerman, it is flooded with light, painted and furnished with rich stucco and carvings. There are wonderful elaborate ceiling frescoes and a brilliant pulpit done by brother Johann, a marvel to see!
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
Site of the 1936 Olympics; a major ski resort high in the Alps. This town is the departure point for ascending the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mt.(9200 feet). Travel by cog-wheel railway or cable car to ascend-descend.
THE ZUGSPITZE
The highest mountain in Germany with great views of the Alps. When you are at the top, it's possible to walk to the other side and be in Austria. Allow a few hours; bring euros or credit card..approximate $100 for two.
MITTENWALD
Bavarian community nestled in the heart of the Alps. Neat place to walk, shop, flea markets, dine. We stayed at the Post Hotel and was very satisfied with our stay there.
WURZBURG
The Romantic Road starts in Wurzburg. The massive castle of Marienberg above the vineyards was once the residence of the prince-bishops of Wurzburg. The surrounding castle grounds are lovely; the walk is pleasant. Other sights worth seeing are St. Kilian's Cathedral, the New Minster, St. Mary's Gothic Chapel, the market place, and the old bridge over the River Main
Within travel distance, but not considered on the Romantic Road are the following two must sees!
NURNBERG
Almost totally destroyed by end of WW II, but has been beautifully restored. Stop at the Gothic fountain with its brightly painted statues of past rulers and heroes in the central market square. Don't miss the Bratwurst Haus on Castle Hill for great bratwurst and Dunkel beer. Stop at Albrecht Durer's house, Germany's great Renaissance artist. This was Hitler's city of parades, propaganda, military power and exhibitions. Nazi party rallies were held here, as were the Nurnberg trials. We took the trolley to see the recently completed Documentation Center (2000) with all this past history. A must see! We took the train to Nurnberg, walked out of the station into titlestadt (old town); the tourist center is on your right. A block away is the trolley to the Documentation Center.
HEIDELBERG
Romantic city on the Neckar River, dominated by the 10th century castle ruins on the hill. A cable car is available to approach the castle, or if you are energetic, you may walk. It's a pleasant walk around the castle grounds. Poets of the romantic movement were influenced by this city. Heidelberg is one of the most visited sights in Germany... Germany's oldest university. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. |
.JPG "Zugspitze")
