Germany
August / september 2021 - Bavaria, Baden Württemberg, Rheinland Pfalz
Capital

Berlin

Area

357.022 km²
(8,6x the Netherlands)

Time

UTC +1

Language

German, Frisian, Danisch, Italian, Turkish

Highest point

Zugspitze - 2962 m

Flag

In 1848, a flag with horizontal tricolor of black, red and gold was adopted. From 1867-1918 and 1933-1945 the colors were black-white-red. and from 1949 the original colors were adopted again.


Itinerary
Currency

The euro was introduced simultaneously in 12 European countries, as well as in Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City on 1 January 2002. This was the largest monetary exchange operation of all time. On the front of the note is a gate or window and a bridge on the back. These are all fictional. De euro replaces the Deutsche Mark, introduced in 1948.




Highlights

Romantische Strasse

The Romantic Straße is Germany's oldest and one of its best-known vacation roads. The road starts in Würzburg and ends at Füssen on the Austrian border in the Ostallgäu. Important places along the route with respect to history include Würzburg, Wertheim, Bad Mergentheim, Weikersheim, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Nördlingen, Harburg, Donauwörth, Augsburg, Friedberg, Landsberg am Lech and Füssen. The 385 km long route is known since 1950 and served the purpose of putting Germany as a vacation destination on the map again after the Second World War. After 2009, a few changes were made to the route. The route ends at the Franciscan monastery St. Stephan in Füssen. Driving in Germany is the best by inner roads. The highways are often a drama because of the many maintenance works. But on the inner roads they also drive fast, 100 km/h.


Würzburg

is an ancient episcopal city and was first named in 704. The diocese of Würzburg was founded in 742 founded by Boniface. In 1156, Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa married his second wife there, Beatrix of Burgundy. Frederick I made the city's bishops also dukes of the Franks. Because of this the city developed into the important prince-bishopric of Würzburg. Under Prince-Bishop Philipp Adolf of Ehrenberg, witch trials reached their climax between 1626 and 1630. 200 "witches" were killed there. The Swedes conquered the city in 1631 (during the 30 Year War) and remained there for three years. During World War II, on 16 March 1945 it was bombed by the Allies. 90% of the downtown area was destroyed. The city was an important U.S. Army support base until 2006.

At the site of the 'Alte Mainbrücke', a stone bridge is said to have been built as early as 1120 and was replaced towards the end of the 15th century. The statues were added in 1730. Since 1992, it has been pedestrian-only accessible.

On a hill at the edge of town is the fortress of Marienberg where the prince-bishops resided from 1253 to 1719. In 1744 they moved to the new Residenz. After the 30 Years' War (1618-1648) the castle was transformed into a Baroque residence. The fortress was completely destroyed in the 1945 bombing. In 1990 it was completely rebuilt.

The Residence of Würzburg, the former new bishop's palace in downtown was built from 1720 to 1744. Napoleon Bonaparte stayed there. Of particular note is the monumental staircase with on the domed vault above it the largest fresco in the world, painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. During the bombing in world war II a number of halls and the stairwell with the freco were spared. 42 rooms can be visited. At the same time the Hofkerk was built. The current state of the court garden was laid out by Prince-Bishop Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim (1755-1779). Restoration of the Würzburg residence lasted until the 1980s.

St. Kilian's Cathedral, built from 1030 and consecrated in 1187, is the fourth largest Romanesque cathedral in Germany. The prince-bishops are buried there.

The Chapel of St. Mary is one of the city's main attractions. In the 14th century this was still a swampy area where the Jews lived. During the plague in 1347, the Jews were blamed for the disease. Many were murdered. A synagogue from 1147 on the site of the present chapel was destroyed after which a wooden chapel arose. The present Lady Chapel was built from 1377, consecrated in 1392 and construction continued thereafter until 1497. Later there were further periods of construction and renovation in the 18th and 19th centuries. After the bombing, the the chapel was reconstructed between 1948 and 1961.

Top attraction is the Falkenhaus with its impressive facade. The library and tourist information center are located there. The current building, which was an inn, dates from 1629 and replaces an older building from 1338 that served as the residence of the cathedral priest. The stucco work dates from 1751. Like all the other buildings in the inner city it was destroyed during the bombing and then reconstructed.

Stiftung Juliusspital was founded in 1576 by Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn, the then prince-bishop. The still serves as a hospital and old people's home but is now known primarily as the second largest winery of Germany. The world's first modern operating room was also built here in 1805.

Tauberbischofsheim

First mentioned in 836 as 'Biscofesheim' in the life history of Saint Lioba. The name points to Lioba's family relationship with Boniface. Lioba was an English missionary sister who settled in the later Tauberbischofsheim as abbess of the local convent of women. To distinguish the town from other places where bishops lived the name of the river was added. This did not happen until the 19th century. The st. Lioba church was consecrated in 1657.

The neo-Gothic town hall, with a chime on its facade, was built between 1865 and 1867. Under the arches hang town scales from 1775. To the right of the town hall is the old post with many half-timbered details. Opposite the town hall is the Lioba Church, the monastery church of the Franciscan convent, named after the English nun.

Weikersheim

Is first mentioned in 837 in a charter of the monastery of Fulda as the property of Wipert von Wichhartesheim and was donated in the 11th century to the monastery of Comburg who sold it in 1244 to the lords of Hohenlohe. The ancestor of the Hohenlohe family Konrad was then still called von Weikersheim. The settlement at the castle obtained its city rights and walls in 1313. In 1585, Wolfgang II of Hohenlohe Weikersheim obtained the inheritance of the castle and had the castle rebuilt into a moated castle. the moated castle converted into a residence in the Renaissance style. During the 30 Year War Count Georg Friedrich von Hohenlohe sided with King Gustav Adolf of Sweden and so in 1637 Weikersheim came by edict of the emperor under the care of the German order and after the peace of Westphalia in 1648 back into the possession of the Hohenlohe family. After the death of the last descendant of the Hohenlohe family, Karl Ludwig, in 1756 Weikersheim lost its function as a residence and was added to the kingdom of Württemberg. The gardens are a must for flower lovers.

The church of St. George, built in 1419 on the marketplace, with its semicircular entrance to the residence, still offers a medieval image, if it were not for the fact that several cars destroy that image. The Gäns tower from 1320 was so damaged during the last days of the Second World War that it was nominated for demolition. A citizens' initiative raised enough money and in 2003 the tower stood proudly upright again.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The empire city was an urban territory (400 km2) in Franconia, in the Holy Roman Empire and was subject only to the authority of the emperor. The city government was autonomous with respect to neighboring sovereigns. After the occupation by Bavaria in 1802 it lost this status a year later. Its origins lie in the 10th or 11th century when the Counts of Comburg had a castle on the Essigkrug, in the southwest of the present town. When this lineage died out, most of the possessions were taken over by the Staufen. From 1142 Konrad III had a new castle constructed. Since 1144 the town has been known as Rothenburg. The castle became the administrative center for the Staufen territories in Swabia and Franconia. The election of Rudolf von Hapsburg as king ensured that the town came under his protection and thus became an imperial town with its own jurisdiction.

In 1325 King Ludwig IV (Ludwig der Bayer) pledged the city to the lords of Hohenlohe and in 1331 to the prince-bishop of Würzburg which latter caused an uproar. In 1355 the city was able to redeem itself. The city became more and more influential. This against the wishes of the bishops of Würzburg and the viscounts of Nuerenberg. They entered into an alliance to attack the city but were unable to capture it. The surrounding area however did fell into their hands. In 1408 peace was made but some castles had to be demolished.



When the 30 Years' War (1618 - 1638) broke out, the city's last period of prosperity came to an end. It lay exactly on the route taken by the armies. The population suffered from billeting, enforced contributions and looting. In 1631 the city was taken by the Swedes and then by an imperial army. After 1631, Franconia became one of the most heavily affected areas through which French, Bavarian, Swedish, and imperial armies repeatedly passed. By the end of the war, the population in the countryside around the city had declined by 70%. The development of the city stagnated completely and from 1770 the population began to decline.

The loss of independence came with the French Revolution and subsequent wars. In 1794, French troops occupied the left bank of the Rhine including territories of the Elector of Bavaria. The latter demanded compensation. In 1802 the Reichstag ordered that this be investigated but the ruling Bavarian troops occupied the city on September 2, 1802. On 25 February of the following year it was determined that the city and its surroundings belonged to Bavaria.

The crime museum is Germany's most important museum of legal history with torture instruments and legal texts relating to the persecution of witches. There is also a Christmas museum. The inner city wall dates from 1172 and the outer from 1360 to 1388. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a popular town, lots of tourists but they are mainly found at the main square and the intersecting streets thereof. It is worthwhile to explore the whole town. A tour of the fortress wall is highly recommended. Furthermore, you can make beautiful walks around the city. The most photographed tower is located in the south of the city when you walk downwards from the main square.

Dinkelsbühl

Like Rothenburg, Dinkelsbühl was also a Reich town. First mentioned in 1188 as Tinkelspuhel. In 1803 it was incorporated into Bavaria who ceded it to the Prussian principality of Ansbach in 1804. In a treaty of 1805 it is given to France who passes it back to the king of Bavaria.

Nördlingen

Was first mentioned as Nordilinga in 898 as a Carolingian court. In 1215 it received city rights from King Frierich and became a state city. In the same year the city walls were erected. The current city wall dates from 1327 and has five towers with passage, eleven other towers and two bastions. The wall is 2.6 km long and one of the best preserved in Germany. You can walk all the way around. In 1298, as part of the beef Pogrom, almost all the Jews of the Jewish community were murdered. In late 1348, they were also held responsible for causing the plague. St. Georg Church was built from 1427 to 1505. At the end of 1506 the city obtained the right to expel Jews from King Maximilian I. Their houses were sold to the citizens. The history of the witch hunts is well documented. During the tenure of mayor Johannes Pferinger from 1590 to 1598, 34 women and 1 man were burned at the stake for witchcraft. At that time there were no trees so that the burning could be seen in the far distance. Two women were acquitted: Rebekah Lemp and Maria Holl. The burnings took place near the witches' rock on gallows mountain. The first woman to be arrested was Ursula Haider on November 8, 1589. The socially isolated woman was said to openly fantasize about a love affair with the devil. During the interrogation she accused 9 other women. Ursula and two other women, Margarethe Getzler and Maria Marb were the first and were burned on May 15, 1590. The prisoners were forced to name more and more names so more and more women were arrested. Nördlingen was an important trading place because two important roads ran through it. By the Thirty Years' War and the shifting of the trade routes the town lost importance and so the townscape could be preserved for tourism. North of the St. Georg church lies the marketplace with the Hohe haus from 1304, the guest house 'Zur Sonne' from 1350 was used as a guest house for princes from 1405. Also the astronauts of the Apollo program spent the night here.

Harburg

The name first appears with Mathilde de Horeburc, wife of Count Kuno von Lechsgünd. In 1250 Harburg obtained market rights. From 1591 it was a reception center for lepers. The extensive castle dates from the 11th century. Around 1500 Harburg had five wooden entrance towers. These were closed every evening to keep out thieves, robbers and beggars. There were no city walls because the walls of the houses were strong enough. Around 1861 the wooden tower was demolished because the maintenance costs became too high.

The stone bridge was built in 1729 and for a long time was the only way to cross the Wörnitz without getting wet feet.

Landsberg am Lech

Landsberg became famous because Hitler was imprisoned there after the failed Bierkellerputsch in 1924. He spent a year there in the prison that was built in 1910. Hitler wrote Mein Kampf here. Near Landsberg was also a concentration camp, Kaufering. In June 1944 the first thousand prisoners from Auschwitz arrived here. The purpose was to build three gigantic underground bunkers for the construction of the first jet fighter, the Messerschmitt 262. After the war, the prison held numerous Nazi leaders. On the prison grounds, 290 war criminals were put to death. Around 1135 a settlement called Phetine arose here. In 1158 Duke Heinrich der Lowe had the important "salt road" which involved building a bridge at Phetine. To guard it, a fortress 'Castrum Landespurch' was built. Soon more houses were built and in the 13th century it obtained city rights as Landesperch. In 1353 a first salt shed was built. From the collection of tolls the city walls and towers were built. At the market place is the "Marienbrunnen", a fountain from 1700.

Füssen

Also located on the Lech River, between the Ammergauer and Allgauer Alps. The city is known thanks to the sulfur springs of Bad Faulenbach and the fairy-tale castle Neuschwanstein. It is a the end point of the Romantic Straße. Before the Romans arrived there in 15 BC, the area was inhabited by the Celts. The Romans built a castellum on the present-day Schlossberg as a defense against the Alemanni who nevertheless took the area shortly thereafter. The present town originated from an 8th century monastery of St. Magnus. At the end of the 12th century it received city rights

The Hohe schloss, the former summer residence of the prince bishops of Augsburg,was built on a steep rock between the 13th and 16th centuries. Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the second half of the 19th century by order of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Construction began in 1869 and was halted after Ludwig's death in 1886. Six weeks after his death it was opened to the public. The final parts were completed, in greatly simplified form, in 1892. Walt Disney visited it before he began building his theme parks. It was the inspiration for the castle of the Sleeping Beauty. The Marien Bridge was built in 1850 and from here one has a beautiful view of the castle. The castle was built on the site of two castles, the fortresses of the lords of Schwangau. During the Second World War it was used as a warehouse for looted art from France. The Germans wanted to blow up castle so that the art was lost but an SS gruppenfuhrer refused to do it. The gold reserves of the German bank were stored there but they disappeared a few days before the Allies took over the castle.

Schwäbisch Hall

Was a Reich city of the Holy Roman Empire from 1276 to 1803. The town of Halle is first mentioned in 1307. During the time of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, it was one of the important mints of the German Empire. The coin Heller was named after the town. The current name was established in 1489 but from 1802, when it belonged to the Duchy of Württemberg it became Hall again. In 1934, the addition reappeared. Salt was also mined in the area. In 1936 it became a garrison town of the luftwaffe. Bombers, night fighters and the first jet fighters were stationed there. This town has a quiet town square with only a few outdoor cafes. It is a delightful destination.

Cochem

There were signs of habitation here since the Celts and the Romans. First mention was in 886 as villa Cuchema. Many names followed until the 18th century Cochheim and finally Cochem. It received city rights in 1332. In 1689 the French troops of Louis the 14th burned down first the Winneburg and then the Reichsburg. Based on a document from 1300 it is believed that the Reichsburg was built around 1100. At first the castle was managed by citizens and then by royal ministers, viscounts. After being destroyed by Louis the 14th in 1689, the castle was rebuilt between 1869 and 1877. During World War II, large parts of the old town and the bridge were destroyed by bombing.

Burg Eltz

The castle was built in a strategic location, not far from the Moselle River. As a result of a family dispute among the residents in 1268, the the castle was split in two. After a siege by the troops of the Archbishop of Trier in 1336, the defenses were demolished leaving it as a residential complex only. The castle a building history of five centuries and has one hundred rooms.

Trier

Was built in 16 BC by order of the Roman Emperor Augustus and was originally called Augusta Treverorum. It was intended to be the capital of the Roman province of Belgica Prima. Trier was temporarily the capital of the entire Western Roman Empire. The Porta Nigra dates back to the 2nd century.