Rothenberg ob der Tauber (The Red Fort on the Tauber River)

This city is like a section of Disneyland.  It just doesn't seem real. Some of it has actually been rebuild following WWII.  Interesting enough, we were told that one of the top generals during WWII found out that the US forces had bombed Rothenberg (and thankfully it was a foggy day and they missed the heart of the city).  The general found out that there was an order to bomb the city again the next day.  The general put a halt to the order and ordered that the US forces try again to offer a peace deal with the Nazi forces that had taken refuge inside the walled city (Hitler had ordered that no deals or negotiations should take place).  The general's mother had visited Rothenberg and had a painting of the city in their home in New York.  She told him it was one of the most beautiful cities she had ever seen.  He always remembered that and was heart broken to discover that just a month or two before the end of the war, when it was clear it was coming to an end, that this beautiful city had become a major conflict point.  Luckily the Germany general had left to deal with other matters and his second in command was willing to deal for the lives of the soldiers.  The city of Rothenberg invited the American General back in 1948 and gave him what would be equivalent to the Key to the City for saving their precious little city.

The "Night Watchman" giving the tourists a lesson on how life used to be.

A view of the city from across the way.

Some hot chick who looks like she works out a lot.

Ken, outside Jakob's church.  

Our hotel was the little yellow building in the middle of this picture just to the right of the arch.  The Hotel has been family owned and operated for over 450 years.  It is in about 90% of the pictures advertising this town.

If this looks familiar, Disney used this house as inspiration for Pinocchio's house.  

Heather really likes cool doors and door bells.  This is a door bell. 

We took a walk to the town next door and found this cute little church with a cemetery. We found it interesting that despite the history of this place--this little village was founded before Rothenberg, over a thousand years ago--all of the headstones were for people who have died in the last 15-20 years, with most passing within the last 10.

It got hot.  We had to stop for refreshments.  Heather is in love with the German Cakes. 

The first pic of inside Jakob's Church

Jakob's Church main alter

Jakob's Church side alter or decorations

More of Jakob's Church

Cool wood carving inside Jakob's Church.  This one purporting to have a drop of Jesus blood trapped in a glass or crystal cross above the wood carving (See below for better picture of the holy blood)

They claim the drop of Jesus blood is in this little clear section on the middle of the cross. 

A Sun Dial on the building next to Jakob's Church

I think Ken could have taken the nights of this time.  He looks like a Giant compared to them. At the very least, he could have done their taxes...