Germany: Rothenburg

Chris and I have both been to Germany a couple times but it was our goal find and do different things.  Rothenburg came highly suggested by several people and boy it did not disappoint!  Probably in my top 3 favorite things to do in Germany now.

It's a medieval walled city in the Bavaria region of Germany founded in 1170.  It was seriously like a step back in time.  LOVED IT!!!  I couldn't believe that we spent the night in one of the coolest places I've ever seen!  It is beautiful to us today but definitely has a most tragic past--it was conquered over a thousand times and almost completely wiped out by the bubonic plague.

A really cool story that we learned from the Night Watchman:

This city was about 40% wiped out by bombing from the American Troops in WWII.  It was supposed to be completely wiped out but the Assistant US Secretary of War, John McCloy, in charge of this task knew of this city because of pictures his mom painted of it when he was a young child.  He desired to preserve what was left of this historic city so he ordered the troops to not use artillery in taking Rothenburg.  The war was nearing the end and a peace treaty was reached between the American and German troops which ultimately saved the rest of the city.  

You are able to still walk on top of the wall that surrounds the city.  Once again, the views were breathtaking.

The Town Hall

Clock Tower

The main entrance

Walking the walls

You seriously can't take a bad picture here!
Just point and shoot anywhere!

The house used in the live action
Beauty & the Beast!

The Town Executioner

The Night Watchman

Had to try the local pastries:)

We toured the Old Torture Museum here.  Quite fascinating.  I am so glad to not have lived in these times.  I'm SURE I would have been burned at the stake for being a witch!

An Iron Maiden

Shame Masks

Collar used for "bickering housewives"

Ethan cracks himself up!
It's just water in that bottle:)

Amazing place!  Amazing (but sad) history.  Definitely worth the stop!