One of the things I like the most about this blog is writing about places you would have to dig a little for. While the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, and the Giza Pyramids are exciting in their own right, there are millions of reports and photos dealing with these sites, so you hardly need to read my (albeit photo-less) posts about them here.
In the last post, I already introduced one gem of German tourism, Rothenburg. in this one follows another...Dinkelsbühl, a short drive from Rothenburg, is just as charming as its neighboring town to the north hugging the state border to Baden Württemberg, and just as unique. Hailed as the prettiest old city center of Germany on its own website, it's hard to disagree, once you've taken the walk through town yourself.
It seems there is hardly a building within the town center that isn't (or doesn't appear to be) of some historic significance. With its rows and rows of half-timbered houses, this is where time seems to have stood still. It is dreamlike just walking through some of the narrow alleyways, only to come upon a simple youth hostel or an atelier that looks like it could just as easily be housing rare artifacts or a Shakespearian stage. Granted, the vehicles might be a little disturbing, although permitting only horse and carriage into the town center might be a little over the top. There's also a fantastic city wall, although this one isn't passable. That takes very little away from the overall charm of Dinkelsbühl, another town that was spared major damages during the formidable war years in middle Europe.
There are four gates that have been preserved along the city wall aside from the 20 or so towers. One of these, the bright orange colored Wörnitztor (also named after the river flowing through Dinkelsbühl), is the oldest gate of the four and dates back to the 14th century. Aside from the gate, the Wörnitztor is also a high bell tower that proudly presents the coat of arms. A different gate is the Nördlinger Tor, or gate, which may not look as exciting as the Wörnitztor, but is a good starting point for those who wish to lap the entire town.
A good fit for the Altstadt is also the Gothic style St. George Cathedral, just a short walk from the Nördlinger Tor. I scratched my head at this gigantic church, particularly when you consider the fact that Dinkelsbühl has a population of little more than 10,000.
Not to slight the Protestant population, which was largely treated equally after the notable wars of religious strife, there is also the St. Paul church. The demand by the Protestant population to share the St. George cathedral with the Catholics after the 30 Year War was duly rejected, so that the Protestants were left with the church that was added on to the Holy Ghost infirmary. The Protestants were to wait for a sizable church of their own, at least until St. Paul was built in the 19th century.
My personal favorite in Dinkelsbühl was the Spital zum Heiligen Geist, or the Holy Ghost Infirmary, just a quick walk from the Rothenburger gate and down the road from St. George. Walk a few yards beyond the building, and there is the theater on one side and and the old dye house on the other, fully intact, although now merely a museum piece.
In the last post, I already introduced one gem of German tourism, Rothenburg. in this one follows another...Dinkelsbühl, a short drive from Rothenburg, is just as charming as its neighboring town to the north hugging the state border to Baden Württemberg, and just as unique. Hailed as the prettiest old city center of Germany on its own website, it's hard to disagree, once you've taken the walk through town yourself.
It seems there is hardly a building within the town center that isn't (or doesn't appear to be) of some historic significance. With its rows and rows of half-timbered houses, this is where time seems to have stood still. It is dreamlike just walking through some of the narrow alleyways, only to come upon a simple youth hostel or an atelier that looks like it could just as easily be housing rare artifacts or a Shakespearian stage. Granted, the vehicles might be a little disturbing, although permitting only horse and carriage into the town center might be a little over the top. There's also a fantastic city wall, although this one isn't passable. That takes very little away from the overall charm of Dinkelsbühl, another town that was spared major damages during the formidable war years in middle Europe.
There are four gates that have been preserved along the city wall aside from the 20 or so towers. One of these, the bright orange colored Wörnitztor (also named after the river flowing through Dinkelsbühl), is the oldest gate of the four and dates back to the 14th century. Aside from the gate, the Wörnitztor is also a high bell tower that proudly presents the coat of arms. A different gate is the Nördlinger Tor, or gate, which may not look as exciting as the Wörnitztor, but is a good starting point for those who wish to lap the entire town.
A good fit for the Altstadt is also the Gothic style St. George Cathedral, just a short walk from the Nördlinger Tor. I scratched my head at this gigantic church, particularly when you consider the fact that Dinkelsbühl has a population of little more than 10,000.
Not to slight the Protestant population, which was largely treated equally after the notable wars of religious strife, there is also the St. Paul church. The demand by the Protestant population to share the St. George cathedral with the Catholics after the 30 Year War was duly rejected, so that the Protestants were left with the church that was added on to the Holy Ghost infirmary. The Protestants were to wait for a sizable church of their own, at least until St. Paul was built in the 19th century.
My personal favorite in Dinkelsbühl was the Spital zum Heiligen Geist, or the Holy Ghost Infirmary, just a quick walk from the Rothenburger gate and down the road from St. George. Walk a few yards beyond the building, and there is the theater on one side and and the old dye house on the other, fully intact, although now merely a museum piece.
0 comments