Rothenburg Medieval Town Wall & Gates

Whoa this is an amazing place! The wall dates from 1142, there are 46 towers, and you can walk the 2 miles of wall that once protected this stunning town! It was bombed at the end of WW2, but the US Assistant Secy of War had grown up with paintings of Rothenburg - his mother had visited and often talked about it. He ordered that artillery not be used. They took a white flag out to meet the Nazis and asked them to leave and spare the town. The German commander agreed, defying Hitler's orders to fight to the end. 32% of the town had been bombed, but not the old city center. After the war, people from around the world donated money to help restore the town. Their names are all along the walkway of the wall.Read more