Compiled From Original Scrapbook Of
David & Jeanne Thomson
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Compiled From Original Scrapbook Of
David & Jeanne Thomson
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GERMANY, JUNE-JULY, 1997 - BOOK 1/PAGE 6
The supply of water was a great problem in the early years even thought the town was built on a hill over looking the Tauber river. As a result, many fountains were built to hold a supply of water in case of fire. The great wall was the main defense for the town and complete surrounded it with many towers and gates.
Rothenburg was 40% destroyed by bombardment in 1945 but after the war, 1945-1970, the destroyed parts were restored with support of friends all over the world.
Rothenburg has hundreds of shops and for shoppers there seems to be an never ending supply of them. Jeanne and Sally enjoyed going in almost every shop it seems while Hardy and I would venture in one now and then, especially if it was an ice cream or food shop!
On the left you will me Hardy showing me an East German Trabant or Trabby, the car that during the cold war East Germany tried to make it's own cars. This car was a disaster as it was made with poor workmanship and broke down quite often. East German's had to sign up for a car two years in advance for the car and pay cash in advance.
On the right is just one of the streets in town. Each narrow street is lined with shops, all catering to the tourists.
We arrived at Rothenburg in the morning and found a wonderful old fortified town which draws millions of tourists each year. The history of this town goes back as far as 970 when the first castle was built. The period of 1250 - 1400 saw the town hall was constructed. Over the years, 1572, 1578 and 1681, many additions were built. In 1446 the Councillors' Tavern was built and was reserved for councillors only.
On the left is the town hall with it's famous clock, which puts on an impressive display when the hour is reached. Many tourists will gather in the square as the hour approaches just to watch and hear the clock. On the right is another of the town's plaza or square.
Rothenbury has several churches and the two below are fine examples.
Another of Jeanne's favorite spiral staircases. This is something that you don't see in America. I am not exactly sure what the building on the right is but it certainly is impressive.
Jeanne has found a sweet shop! Many of the buildings, where the residents live above the shops, have beautifully decorated window boxes filled with flowers. A sight to be seen!
Hardy and I wait patiently in the street while Jeanne and Sally shop. That's Hardy in the foreground in the green shirt.
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