Ascension Day, Souvenirs, Walls, and a Night Watchman

On Thursday morning we left Reutte, Austria and drove to Oberammergau, Germany. As we left town, we noticed how no one seemed to be out and about. No cars, no walkers, no bicycle riders, not even the stores seemed to be opened. It then dawned on us that it was Ascension day and therefore a holiday. We were then concerned that all the shops in Oberammergau would also be closed and prepared Sam for the news.

When David and I came to Germany in 2007, we bought Samuel a walking stick in Oberammergau. He loved it and played with it all the time until it broke. His hopes were set on buying a new one to replace the broken one. We told him we hoped that the stores would be open, but that they might be closed and he might not be able to buy his new walking stick. He took the news better than we feared.

When we arrived, the town was quiet but we began walking to see. We heard music from the church and walked there to find that had we been just half an hour earlier we could have attended the service which featured a full choir and orchestra. Instead we stood outside and listened and chatted with a man who also was standing outside the door. After the service, there was a parade of the men dressed in full lederhosen and carrying rifles through the town. We watched and followed along with the other residents.

This is part of the cemetery surrounding the church:

 

Now that the service was done, most of the shops and restaurants were now open so we began looking around. David and I bought a crucifix as did Hannah, and yes Samuel found a walking stick. He was thrilled, and still is.

After lunch we climbed back into the Caravelle and travelled onto Rothenburg ob der Tauber with a stop at the Weiskirche. When we arrived there, it was packed and we didn't understand why. Apparently we are not the brightest bulbs in the socket, because there were so many there to attend the Ascencion service.

We waited about ten minutes for the people to exit and noticed how many of them were hikers or bikers. We were able to finally go in and see the church in the valley.

The left and right pages of the altar book:

 

The altar:

Part of the ceiling:

The organ:

 

We checked into our room in the little village of Detwang, located in the valley below Rothenburg, and then spent the evening exploring Rothenburg.

We walked around part of the wall.

 

Saw the clock tower from 1466 and watched the Meistertrunk (Master Draught) story:

 

 

In 1631, the Catholic army took the Protestant town and was about to do its rape, pillage, and plunder thing. As was the etiquette, the mayor had to give the conquering general a welcoming drink. The general enjoyed a huge tankard of local wine. Feeling really good, he told the mayor, "hey, if you can drink this entire three-liter tankard of wine in one gulp, I'll spare your town." the mayor amazed everyone by drinking the entire thing, and Rothenburg was saved.

While this is a nice story, it was dreamed up in the late 1800s for a theatrical play designed to promote a romantic image of the town. (from Rick Steve's Germany guidebook, 2011 pg 285)

 

And then went on the wonderful night watchman's tour.

 

If you ever make it to Rothenburg, take the night watchman's tour, you won't be disappointed.