Dinkelsbühl
Our last town to visit on Germany’s Romantic Road was Dinkelsbühl.
We parked our car outside the town wall in the free parking area and enjoyed the beautiful walk into town. We pass under cherry trees full of fleshy red fruit and across the old stone bridge with a serene view of the medieval waterways.
The bridge path led us through the medieval gatehouse which stood strikingly high as we passed below its entrance. The name alone has a beautiful ring to it. We learned about what the name Dinkelsbühl really means as a coat of arms displayed high on the gatehouse holds all the clues. The picture is of 3 sprigs of golden spelt sitting on 3 hills. In German – Dinkel means spelt and on three hills equals – buhl.
The town is surrounded by a medieval wall. Inside the wall are a treasure trove of tall gabled houses and half traditional timber houses built by wealthy merchants and aristocratic families in the 13th century. Once inside the wall it was like a fairytale land frozen in time full of cafes and shops to browse.
As we wandered into the town we wandered down beside the old hospital- (spital in German) as an old mill wheel deep in the back on a beautiful garden area took our eye. It is hard to fully understand what it was used for as the historical information is all written in German. Our Google translator didn’t really help much. We assume it had something to do with weaving and the cloth manufacturing as this is how the town became wealthy.
Deutsche Haus
We saw many romantic style heavily decorative timber houses. This is the famous Deutsches Haus with its pretty carved ornamental timber frame. The facade was built in 1593 and the house is from the 1400’s.
St. Georgs Kirche
This gothic church is full of art and you are able to climb to the top of the tower for a small fee. We were taken back by the glass coffees which display a one legged corps exquisitely dressed. We were unable again to translate the German information.
Coffee Time
We found a great coffee place down a lane way called Kaffee Rosterei. Highly recommended!!
Fountain
More Town Gatehouses
We walked along the cobbled streets following the old wall which lead us past many interesting towers.
Cottage flowers and poppies spill over in the entrance to the town.
An interesting way to tell the weather with a stone and chain!!!
In the 1618 – 1648 many of Germany’s medieval cities were destroyed during 30 years of war but stories tell of how this city was saved when the Dinkelsbühl became under attack by the Swedes. Legend has it that the children of the town softened the hearts of their invaders and saved the town. For over a hundred years a festival called Kinderzeche is acted out every July including the children of the town. The festival lasts for 10 days.
Kinderzech – Zeughaus
We did fall under the spell of this fairytale tale town and I did pick a cherry as we left!!!
