The Medieval City of Rothenburg, by Luke

Hey everyone from Germany,
http://picasaweb.google.com/fritzwiese/2007RothenburgQuickForWeb
Right now (June 26) we’re in Rothenburg, Germany. It’s really interesting because it is a very medieval city. It has a wall still preserved from that time and I walked around in it. I actually saw a dungeon where they torture people. One of the most interesting the things is the Glockenspiel clock. On every hour from 11-3 PM and 8-10 PM every day the clock rings and the windows open and a man drinks 3 liters of wine in one slurp. That’s a true story!! The leader of the enemy side said “we’ll burn your city unless one man can drink 3 liters of wine in one slurp!” And so one man really did it. He saved the whole town. That’s all for now, and we’re having a great time in Germany and we miss you all!!!

Your friend,
LUKE

PS from Fritz: What a fascinating town! It's a neat complement to our Martin Luther focused explorations. The oldest house in this town was built in 980. (That's right, not 1980, but 980). The house is actually called "hell" in German, and today a pretty popular pub, so when people advise you to "Go to hell," it's not a bad recommendation. Luke and I just returned from a Tour with the Night Watchman, who takes you around this medieval town during dusk, and really brings it to life with unique insight. We heard the story about how the castle gates close each evening. With the ringing of the church bells, people know they have 1 hour to get inside the walls. If they didn't make it, there was an elaborate process to prove you were truly a citizen. You had to pay a high fee to get in, and then could only do so through the "man whole," a tiny door within the mighty door of the castle gate, that was just big enough to allow 1 person through.
Other interesting facts included how 1 out of 3 people died here during the black plague:; how the town's walls prevented penetration for 500 years, until the 30 years war when one of it's own citizens accidentally blew up the gun powder supply when they were fending off attackers who really weren't interested were in the town for its strategic value, but just needed a winter's lodging after terrible autumn rains trapped them nearby; and how Rothenburg was almost destroyed by American troops pursuing Nazis at the end of the war--until a US general called his comrades off, because he knew the value of the medieval town. How? His mom had visited as a girl, and in his home growing up, he'd see the picture she hung of Rothenburg and hear fascinating stories.

It's a fairytale book city we'd suggest to anybody. Our family was able to walk a long section of the fortress wall, from gate to gate. It was a neat contrast to the story of the Berlin wall just a few days ago, and Martin Luther's appreciation of God as a mighty fortress. May we all be blessed with mighty gates and doors to our hearts--open for the gifts of the Spirit, and shut for the temptations that would pull us away with the detours that detract from God's plans for us.

Tomorrow, on to Switzerland! If you'd like check out a few pics from Rothenburg!http://picasaweb.google.com/fritzwiese/2007RothenburgQuickForWeb