In 1631, during the Thirty Years War, the Catholic Count Tilly besieged the town of Rothenburg. He was able to take the Lutheran Protestant town and declared that it would be sacked and the councilors would be executed. Then Tilly offered what he considered an unattainable challenge to anyone who was brave enough to accept. If, in one drought, someone could empty a three liter jug of wine, the town and its leaders would be spared. Bürgermeiter (mayor) Nusch accepted the challenge and, against all odds, was able to down the jug of wine thus saving his town and making him the stuff of legend.

Today Rothenburg is one of the most visited cities in Germany because, shortly after the Thirty Years War, Rothenburg was brought to its knees by increasing poverty and the ravages of the Plague. As a result the town became a victim of arrested development and did not change much from its medieval roots. That means that modern tourists can enter the town wall that is still intact and stroll the ramparts that once looked out at the fearsome army of Count Tilly. (today the area is dominated by a tourist bus parking lot). It remains one of the most beloved destinations in Germany.

In St. Jakob's church there is an altar carved from wood by Tillman Riemenschneider in 1505. It is considered one of this master woodcarver's best works. I don't usually post other people's artwork; but in this case, for documentation, I think it is merited.

In 1631, during the Thirty Years War, the Catholic Count Tilly besieged the town of Rothenburg. He was able to take the Lutheran Protestant town and declared that it would be sacked and the councilors would be executed. Then Tilly offered what he considered an unattainable challenge to anyone who was brave enough to accept. If, in one drought, someone could empty a three liter jug of wine, the town and its leaders would be spared. Bürgermeiter (mayor) Nusch accepted the challenge and, against all odds, was able to down the jug of wine thus saving his town and making him the stuff of legend.

Today Rothenburg is one of the most visited cities in Germany because, shortly after the Thirty Years War, Rothenburg was brought to its knees by increasing poverty and the ravages of the Plague. As a result the town became a victim of arrested development and did not change much from its medieval roots. That means that modern tourists can enter the town wall that is still intact and stroll the ramparts that once looked out at the fearsome army of Count Tilly. (today the area is dominated by a tourist bus parking lot). It remains one of the most beloved destinations in Germany.

In St. Jakob's church there is an altar carved from wood by Tillman Riemenschneider in 1505. It is considered one of this master woodcarver's best works. I don't usually post other people's artwork; but in this case, for documentation, I think it is merited.

In 1631, during the Thirty Years War, the Catholic Count Tilly besieged the town of Rothenburg. He was able to take the Lutheran Protestant town and declared that it would be sacked and the councilors would be executed. Then Tilly offered what he considered an unattainable challenge to anyone who was brave enough to accept. If, in one drought, someone could empty a three liter jug of wine, the town and its leaders would be spared. Bürgermeiter (mayor) Nusch accepted the challenge and, against all odds, was able to down the jug of wine thus saving his town and making him the stuff of legend.

Today Rothenburg is one of the most visited cities in Germany because, shortly after the Thirty Years War, Rothenburg was brought to its knees by increasing poverty and the ravages of the Plague. As a result the town became a victim of arrested development and did not change much from its medieval roots. That means that modern tourists can enter the town wall that is still intact and stroll the ramparts that once looked out at the fearsome army of Count Tilly. (today the area is dominated by a tourist bus parking lot). It remains one of the most beloved destinations in Germany.

In St. Jakob's church there is an altar carved from wood by Tillman Riemenschneider in 1505. It is considered one of this master woodcarver's best works. I don't usually post other people's artwork; but in this case, for documentation, I think it is merited.