June 6 to 10, 2022
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Ever since
Faller's Klingentorturm became part of the Cochemer Bahn, I had this idea of
visiting the tower itself.
Even more: to be able to climb the tower and see
what the interior looks like in reality.
A wish that came true in June 2022.
Let the following photos give you an impression of my visit to Rothenburg ob der Tauber,
where the Klingentorturm was indeed my focal point,
but Rothenburg itself and its surroundings were also visited on foot.
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When I arrived on Monday, June 6, heading west on the main street, this was my very first view of the Klingentorturm.
I took this picture from a painting in one of the museums, view from the Klingengasse
Since there are several Rothenburgs in Germany, our
Rothenburg is distinguished with the addition 'ob der Tauber' (above the
Tauber).
The 'ob' (meaning: above, or on top of) is especially appropriate,
as Rothenburg is at a higher elevation above the Tauber River.
Barbarossabrücke
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Monday June 6
Walking the Wall, from Spitalturm all the way to Klingentorturm
(The western wall is inaccessible and impassable).
Gerlachschmiede
Kummereckturm
And back again at the Klingentor
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Tuesday, June 7
On my request, I was permitted by city council, to visiting the inside of the Klingentorturm.
Mr. Robert Mehr was kind enough to personally guide me through the old town, with the tour ending at, in and on the Klingentorturm.
Since I was early, I strolled around the site...
After the Klingengasse, the Klingenschütt is the most famous place from which many painted or photographed the Klingentorturm in the past.
Why not follow in their footsteps this morning?
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Climbing the stairs had something surreal for me.
When building
'my' Klingentorturm you have held, painted and put together every beam, every
stone, every roof tile.
Now you are walking, as it were, in your own
construction kit...
The 'missing' plank, inside and outside
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And thern... getting inside!
Counterweights for the clock
These two windows match the ones below
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The view from the top was spectacular
View to the north with St. Wolfgang's Chapel and wall imperatively connected to the Klingentor
... and to the east alongside the wall we see first Fürbringerstürmlein, then Pulvertrum and at the end left: Henkersturm.
At the right (in the distance, with white plaster) is the Galgentor.
Weißer Turm at Georgengasse (view south east)
View to the south on the Klingengasse with the St. Jakobskirche dominating the skyline
And while I look out the western window I see the Klingenschütt at the foot of the tower...
...blooming beautifully.
~~~
But now, how about the Tower's Interor itself?
Well, it was certainly awesome to be there, but the inside decor...
However, we're talking 2022, not 1912.
The original function of the Klingentorturm was a water tower.
The (certainly not large) water tank still stands on the top floor, while lead pipes that run from top to bottom through the tower lead directly into the city.
Westside interior at the top floor near the staircase, as well as the east side with an abandoned pot stove...
North...
... and South, into the Klingengasse...
... with a beautifull view on the St. Jakobskirche.
And as I lean out of this window, I see the beautiful roof tiles of the entrance below:
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Unfortunately, but understandably, I was not allowed to climb any further to the top floor of the spire.
Standing on the top rungs of the ladder, I took these photos.
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A final view, one floor below, before we're heading back down stairs.
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Where horses may dwell...
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Now let's see what else Rothenburg has to offer in beauty...
This little Church at the Weinsteige, called "Unsere liebe Frau zu Kobolzell", must have inspired me for purchasing and altering the St. Johann Chapel at Schloss Cochem
During my hike along the Tauber I could still see the Klingentorturm in the north from this height. I loved these gray clouds
How beautiful these blue-grey clouds, which lay a kind of medieval blanket over the landscape.
In the evening, dark clouds were gathering over the town...
I was back at the hotel before the rain came.
While Rothenburg was shrouded in darkness, I could lose myself in a book
which I couldn't resist buying at the Rupprecht bookshop in the Hafengasse.
The next morning I left it at the tourist office (Marktplatz 2) to have it signed
with a dedication by Irene Schöller and Robert Nehr.
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Wednesday, June 8
Today I did some visiting of museums, town hall tower climbing, and doing another hiking south and west
In the morning a visit to the Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum
Then out of the city via the Spitalturm, along a beautiful staircase down to the Wildbad Ev. Tagungshaus...
... and from there alongside the Tauber heading north on the Taubertalweg
... crossing the Tauber at the Doppelbrücke, follwoing the Taubertalweg when I arrived at:
the Topplerschlößchen (Toppler Castle), which unfortunately was closed.
About 200 meters further on I was able to return to Rothenburg via the beautiful Taubertalbrücke.
After a steep climb, entering Rothenburg again by the Alte Burg.
Enjoying a well-deserved cup of coffee at Hafengasse 24, I noticed a beautiful wall text on the opposite house,
which turned out to be extremely suitable for the lectern table tower of Schloss Cochem.
When I got home later, I reduced the photo and pasted it on the tower wall:
The whole story can be read in Chapter 22.10
The day ended with a concert by Jasmin Neubauer in the St. Jakobskirche.
~~~
Thursday, June 9
Next day, I did the same hiking as yesterday, but now the other way around, including the Rothenburger Museum (am Klosterhof).
But first... to the Klingetorturm for another photoshoot in filtered sunlight
Learning about 'picturesque'! As in 'picture like'?!
Scenes like these bring me absolutely in the right mood...
Walking outdoors through the Klosterhof, Bailiff Tower
View on the Alte Burg, seen from the Klostergasse... heading back to the Klingetorturm to exit Rothenburg right there.
The weather wasn't sure what it would decide... rain or shine.
Following the Tauber again on the Kurze Steige, hiking north west, I crossed the river at the Barbarossabrücke
"Ob" (above) der Tauber... this pictures says it all.
Topplerschlößen, closed again...
Now that's what you might call picturesque... let alone these magnificent clouds
Keeping in mind...
And back again in town, entering by the Kohlturm
Finsihing my hiking today with a stoll on top of the wall...
Gerlachschnmiede
White Tower seen from the wall
At Spitalturm the wall ends. Inaccessible, even if I tried...
These are the orignals that Faller (must have) copied
27.9.2021
Crossing the Gedeckte Brücke near Spitalbastei
While passing the Stöberleinturm, I'm able to pick up my hiking on the wall again, heading northeast...
Yep, it's... picture-esque indeed.
Kobolzellerturm (left) and Siebersturm, seen from the south, but in the opposite direction you see...
...one of Rothenburg's most photographed sites (Siebersturm und Kobolzellerturm am Plönlein)
Herrngasse at the Georgsbrunnen
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A last farewell to the Klingentorturm, which started it all...
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Last Update:
Frits Osterthun © 23.9.2022