Southern Germany Baden-Württemberg

Esslingen, Baden-Württemberg

In 2024 I spun off my page for Germany into a page for northern + central Germany and another for southern Germany plus a 3rd page for STUTTGART. As it is my home town and the capital of the region of Baden-Württemberg I give it comprehensive coverage. In 2025 I split the southern Germany page into the 2 regions of Baden-württemberg  and Bavaria, the other half of Southern Germany. As it is my home town and the capital of the region of Baden-Württemberg I give it comprehensive coverage. 

Esslingen is a town of around 94,000 residents on the Neckar River about 14 Km SE of Stuttgart well connected by S-Bahn to the metropolis. Artifacts show it was inhabited by 1000 BC and an outpost of the Roman Empire. I have been in Esslingen numerous times but finally went camera and played tourist taking these photos in May 2024. From the main train station and bus station in front of it, one lands in an area of pedestrian streets with shops. A landmark seen from here is the high brick smoke stack with the word Dick written on it. Rather than some kind of juvenile graffiti, this is actually the name of a local company with a long history of public contribution. And the word dick means thick in German rather than as a slang term for penis. Now the factory area contains the DICK shopping center.  But a few blocks strolling through the walking street and one already comes to a couple of towers (Turm in German) that were once entrances to the old city walls; the Pliensauturm to the south-east and the more picturesque Schelztorturm to the north-east. Also pictured is the Obertor AKA Wolfstor. The German word Tor means gate but usually there is a tower above the gate so I am not sure the difference made between the old “Tor” and “Turms” but half a dozen of the once over 70 in Esslingen still exist. I’m also putting a picture of the Hochwachsturm, which was off on a hill and guarded a way up to the fortress on the hill above the city known as Esslinger Burg.

Esslingen Marktplatz, Rathaus, Rathausplatz

The heart of Esslingen are the central Marktplatz and Rathausplatz. On the Rathausplatz one has the Alte Rathaus or old city hall and across from it, the Ratskeller and the Neue Rathaus or new city hall – although it is also a historical building, unfortunately covered by scaffolding for renovation when I took pictures.

Esslingen Frauenkirche, J. F. Schreiber Museum, Esslinger Burg

North of the Marktplatz over a busy ring road one sees the Frauenkirche or “woman church” on a hill. Next to it to the east is another impressive old building now housing the J.F Schreiber Museum for 19. Century printing. Close to here among a cluster of old half-timbered historical houses starts the “Eingang zu Burgmauer” or the entrance to the castle wall. The Esslinger Burg is on a vineyard covered hill is more fortress than castle with rings of fortified wall, part of which has a wooden covered walkway. It is a nice hike up the hill, green spaces within the fortress compound to relax and beautiful views over the old city center below.

Esslingen Angesbrücke, Rosneckarkanal, Maillie Park

Back down in the center, just south of the Marktplatz and Rathaus is an area called Klein-Venedig or little Venice. It has many historical buildings and bridges situated along parallel canals called the Rossneckarkanal or Steed Neckar Canal. There is also a large park called the Maille. In the area is also the Stadtmuseum or city museum but I’ve never been inside.

Esslingen christmas + medieval market

Many German cities including Stuttgart have large Christmas markets. Esslingen doesn’t have the largest but perhaps the most unique. Located throughout the city center pedestrian areas including the Marktplatz, Rathausplatz, Hafenplatz and Fischerbrunnen. It has the standard christmas market offerings but also a Middle-age market (Mittelaltermarkt) and kids’ middle-aged section.There are jesters and other performers, rides and archery stalls, craftsmen doing their handiwerk like carving and basket-weaving, Also plenty of middle-aged style clothing that I though looked really cool but not sure for what purpose most people would buy it. The gallery contains 36 photos.

Backnang Stiftshof, Schloss, Stiftskirche

Above the Stadtturm is an area known as the Stiftshof. An area of buildings that once belong to regional royalty but the name refers to it time as a monestary complex. The main castle once belonging to a Duke is now the district court; across from it is the beautiful building known as the ehlamalige Stadtverwaltung or former monastery administration building. It apparently was first built as a living space for a prince and later used as a hunting retreat for a duke. Now like most of the major historical buildings in town it is used by the local government. Next to the former castle is the Stiftskirche St. Pankratius (abbey). Next door is the Stiftstheater or monastery theater.

Schorndorf, Baden-Württemberg

Schorndorf is a small city of 25,000 about 28 kilometers due east of Stuttgart well connected by S-Bahn to the metropolis. Artifacts show it was settled already in the middle stone-age and from around 200 AD from the Romans. But it seemed to not reach a size of significance to be mentioned by name in existing texts until the 12th century. It has a nice core of historical half-timbered houses centering around the market place (Marktplatz) with it’s Osterbrunnen or “Easter-fountain”. A few blocks away is the birth house of Gottlieb Daimler of Daimler-Benz (Mercedes) fame.

Herrenberg, Baden-Württemberg Germany

Herrenberg is a city of around 32,000 residents 30 KM Southwest of Stuttgart. I’ve been there many times but took the following photos in December 2024. The historical old center is about a dozen blocks of mostly half-timbered buildings center around the Marktplatz or market place. Here one sees the Marktbrunnen or market fountain, the Rathaus or city hall. To the east  is the large Stiftskirche church on the lower slope of the Schlossberg or castle mountain. On the top of the mountain are some fortifications and the ruins  of the former castle. The Pulverturm or powder-tower here once housed armaments and is not a good viewpoint over the surrounding valleys and ranges of the Schwäbisch Albs mountains.

Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Württemberg

Schwäbisch Gmünd is a pleasant town around 50 km due east of Stuttgart in the east Schwäbisch Alps along the Rems river. Roman soldiers had encampments here from the second century AD but it seems definite documentation about the city’s status isn’t established until 1162 and the name Gmünd recorded until the Staufer regime in the 12 century. After the Staufer regime crumbled it became a “Reichsstadt” or free city in the Holy Roman Empire in the 15 hundreds. There are remains of a number of monasteries here including the Augustine and Francians orders. Notable churches are the Johanniskirche or Johannis church and the nearby Heilig Kreuz Münster of holy cross cathedral. Both Catholic, although most of the region became protestant after the reformation, the cathedral is much larger but the Johannis church has a special charm. The cathedral has an abundance of gargoyles and other stone figures both inside and out. A large number were apparently removed and put into the Johannis church to avoid risk of them falling down.

Schwäbisch Gmünd Marktplatz, Rathaus, Marienbrunnen, 5 Knopfturm

The center of the city is the Marktplatz or market place with the Marienenbrunnen or Mary’s fountain and the Rathaus or city hall. In front of the Rathaus is a large playground and huge sand-box for kids. Not uncommon thing in Germany but an unusual location on the main square. There are multiple old half-timbered houses, some with elaborate exterior paintings. In contrast to many cities in the region, the foundation and lower (if not above as well) floors of many buildings are built in stone. There is an old tower called the fünf Knopfturm or 5 buttons tower with a large cross on one side and a large unicorn. Apparently, there is a history of unicorns in the city’s history as it is seen on the city flag since the 13^th century and in many symbols around the town. I don’t know which mythology it refers to but it is not just a new “woke” addition.

Schwäbisch Gmünd Stadtgarten, Rokokoschösschen, Forum

Near the main train station is the Stadtgarten or city garden surrounding the Rokokoschlösschen or little Rococo caste with multiple statues among the greenery and flowers. There are many areas with elaborate flower beds, many introduced during the Landegartenschau or regional garden show of 2014. At this time an iconic modern building “the Forum” with a lot of silver and gold was built to echo the historical local silver and gold mining trades.

Calw, Baden-Württemberg

Visited Calw in late May 2024. It’s about 50 Km west of Stuttgart in the Black Forest. No castles, cathedrals or monasteries there but lots of beautiful old, well-preserved half-timbered houses. And it is the birth place of Hermann Hesse; one of my favorite German writers. Close to the train station there is a statue of Hesse on the Nikolaus bridge next to the Nikolauskapelle or Nikolaus chapel, close by is the H. Hesse fountain on the Hermann-Hesse-Platz. One can hardly walk 5 minutes without seeing another reminder of who their most famous inhabitant was.

Alexander church, Marbach

Heading into the center of town on Schillerstrasse (surprise, surprise) one sees the Alexanderkirche or Alexander church off to the right on a hill. The church is old but extensively restored over the centuries. Unusual for a church, more often seen at castles, is the guard house at the entrance to the church grounds. After passing through the gate, one sees that the upper level of the building hoses public toilets. Convenient public facilities but seemed a bit questionable to have them so openly on display in a historical building right next to a church.

Friedrich Schiller’s birth house, Marbach

Returning to the other side of the Schillerstrasse starts the Nikolastorstrasse, which prioritizes pedestrians. One passes the Goldener Löwe Gasthaus or golden Lion restaurant on the right and comes to Schiller’s birth house (Geburtshaus) which is now a museum. The restaurant across to the left is not surprisingly called Schillerhaus. Most of the nearby buildings are also historical half-timbered style common to the region.

Marbach Marktstrasse, Rathaus, tourist information

Continuing up from the Stadtkirche one comes to the main pedestrian street, the Marktstrasse. Here one finds the Marktplatz, Rathaus or city hall and next door the tourist information office and many impressive historical buildings.

Schillerhöhe; Schiller National Museum, Modern Literature museum, National Archieves

About a 10 minute walk south from the Granbenstrasse one comes to another hill called the Schillerhöhe. There is a park with a memorial statue to Schiller and the classical styled white building housing the Schiller National Museum. To one side is the non-descript National archives (not pictures) and the Modern Literature Museum. This is a modern building with automats outside that one cranks by hand for a minute or 2 and then one selects a passage by a multitude of authors on a given subject that is played back.

Horb am Neckar, Baden-Württemberg, Rathaus, Luziferturm

Horb is a small city of 25,000 people about 62 Km SW of Stuttgart on the edge of the Black Forest. Founded in 1244, it has a historical center on a hill top along a low mountain ridge, north of the main train station. This includes an interesting tower that once belonged to the city’s western fortifications called the Luziferturm, an old city hall or Rathaus and the adjacent Wachthaus or guardhouse both with elaborate murals. Many of the middle-aged buildings here have survived although much of the lower city has repeatedly flooded over the centuries. The following photos were taken on a short visit in September 2024.

Horb Stiftskirche Heilig Kreuz, Schurkenturm

Towards the west end of Horb’s central Marktstrasse is the Stiftskirche Heilig Kreuz or holy cross church. Across from the church is the Schurkenturm and unusual old watch tower which is the main remnant of the former Hohenburg castle besides the connecting garden. Nearby is another of Horb’s main sites an old Dominican convent now containing municipal offices including the city archives and tax authorities.  In the courtyard of the old convent is the well maintained “Weissegarten” or white garden. From here one has good views over the lower parts of the city to the south.

Bad Urach, Baden-Württemberg

Bad Urach is a small town of 12,000 residents about 50 kilometers southeast of Stuttgart in the Schwäbisch Alb mountains, which I visted in May 2025. As the name implies it is is a spa area with warm thermal springs. Its history goes back to before the 11th century but the significant architectual buildings like the Residenzschloss (castle) and Amanaduskirche (church) are from the 14th century. Much of the castle was obscured by scafolding due to a major conservation  effort. Behind the castle and church is also the Schlossmühle, once a royal mill, now housing the Stadtbibliothek or city library and a music school. On the other side of the Amanduskirch towards the old center is  the Stadtmusuem or city museum. I showcases an old watermill and nearby are some impressive old half-timbered buildings including the historical Sprandel’sche Haus housing the Hirsch Apotheke (pharmacy) and a pizzaria.

Bad Urach Altstadt, old city center

From the Residenzschloss it is a short walk on cobbled pedestrian streets to the heart of the old city with many half-timbered buildings centered around the Urbacher Marktplatz or Market Place. In the midle of the sqaure is a circular platform with multiple sculptures of figures chasing each other. The Rathaus or city hall is here, the Marktbrunnen or Market fountain and as well as the Ratapothek (pharmacy) and closeby the Ratstube  restaurant/cafe with a statue of a street musician out front.

Schwäbisch Hall, Baden-Württemberg

Schwäbisch Hall is a city of around 40,000 residents about 70 Km northeast of Stuttgart. I had been there multiple times for gigs at Würth, a highly reputable company making tools and hardware accessories. It has an art museum there and supports multiple cultural projects and facilities. In mid-April 2024 I made a day trip to better explore the town’s extensive old center. The city sits in a valley on the Kocher River. From the main train station we walked north past the Katharina Kirche church and directly across the Würth art museum and restaurant. From there we east went by the Johanniter Kirche church and old stone bridge.

Schwäbisch Hall: Crossing the Kocher River to the east side where most of the historical city lays, we meandered west towards what is called the Kocher Viertel or Quarter.

Schwäbisch Hall Josenturm, Josen tower

Near the northern limits of the old city is a beautiful tower that is one of the most photographed sites in Schwäbisch Hall. The Josenturm was built as part of the Judokus chapel.

Schwäbisch Hall: Heading back south towards the center of the old town one passes the old watch tower or “alte Wache”

Schwäbisch Hall: St. Michael church, Marktplatz

In the center of the old town one finds the Marktplatz or market plaza. It is a large open space bordered on the northside by the majestic protestant St. Michael’s church. The extensive stairs in front of the church is a great place to observe the people walking below and is the setting for various events like concerts and theater productions in the summer.

Schwäbisch Hall: Neubausaal, fortifications

South from the Marktplatz one comes to the edge of the old city with visible fortifications and a ditch where they now graze goats. Above one sees what looks like a castle but is known as the Neubausaal or “new built halls”. Called new but built in the 1500’s with 2 large rooms where events are still held.

Schwäbisch Hall: ​Hällisch-Frankisches Museum

Meandering down towards the river from the southern edge of the old town one finds the Hällisch-Frankische Museum. It occupied the old river mill and a next door major historical building called the Keckenturm. It has extensive artifacts going back showing the city and regions history to its earliest times. Lots of religious artifacts, furniture and objects both from simple people to the nobility. Particularly interesting were the many elaborate paintings on circular wood disks that were used as targets for shooting practice. Seemed hard to believe such works of art were created just to shoot at but the many bullet holes are proof enough. They even had a large section showing toys including a traditional Kasperle puppet theater. We only had time to really breeze through most of the exhibits but can imagine visiting again with more time – and the entrance is free.

Schwäbisch Hall: After the museum we circuled west down towards the river where there are wooden and stone bridges, a park on a small island which was full of construction this day but good views from the river banks on the old city in both directions

“Kloster” Grosscomburg Monastery

Just 2 kilometers south of Schwäbisch Hall is the large former monastery called Grosscomburg aka “big” Comburg. Founded by the Benedictine order in 1078 it was controlled by different authorities over the centuries and was often associated with nobility rather than the common locals. Schwäbisch Hall and the surrounding areas mostly converted to Protestantism after the reformation. Yet Comburg maintained its Catholic association until the 1800’s when regional nobility took possession of it and soon made it a home for invalid veterans until into the early 1900s when it became an educational institution. It became a Hitler Youth center and displaced persons camp under the Nazis and a teacher’s school since 1947.

The Comburg complex stands out on a hill and is easily visible from Schwäbisch Hall. It would seem to be a nice walk from the city but we managed to get one of the rather infrequent buses that stop a few hundred meters below. Entrance to the complex is free but one needs to pay and take a tour to go inside and see the St. Nicholas church,  the St. Erhard’s chapel or the St. Michael’s chapel.  We didn’t have the time anyway so we also skipped seeing the nearby Kleincomburg or “little Comburg” a former convent apparently built 30 years later situated below the monastery. This facility was taken over by secular authorities, retaken by the Franciscans in the mid to late 1800’s. It was taken over by the state and returned to the local Catholic authorities in 2015.

Kloster Maulbronn, Baden-Württemberg

Kloster Maulbronn is a well preserved fortified monastery (the German word can also mean convent) about 60 Km NW of Stuttgart. No mistake that it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1993. Founded in 1147 it was a Cistercian abbey, administrated from 1504 by local royalty. It was eventually taken over by the Protestants who still have a seminary here although the complex was secularized in 1806. Thus there is a church and seminary but also city hall, jail, restaurants etc. like any small municipality. I visited Maulbronn for the 2^nd time in May 2024, this time taking my camera along. One can walk around most of the complex with free access. To enter the museum or church, where a concert was being held on the day we went cost 12 euros. We were content to walk around the ground including along the outside walls and to the small lake that was a reservoir for the facility and now has a snack bar and swimming area.

There are a number of café/restaurants within the complex including the Kloster-Katz or monastery cat. And yes, there is a friendly resident cat that I got to meet and greet. There is also a book store, pharmacy, herb shop and one can buy the monastery’s beer in the information-ticket office.

Lienzingen, Baden-Württemberg

Lienzingen is a small rural village by Mühlacker just 6 Km SE of Maulbronn. No castles, monasteries or impressive city halls there. Just the Peterskirche or Peter’s church on a hill (doors were unfortunately locked when I visited there in June 2024) and lots of charming historical old timbered houses many with large barns. Many have been well preserved or renovated making it a worthwhile place to stroll through if one is in the area. The church is protestant and has historical connections to the monastery in Maulbronn.

Heidelberg

I first went through Heidelberg in 1985 with my French girlfriend. It’s one of those quaint old University towns that American tourists seem to go crazy over. It was nice but I didn’t find the audiences so great and heard that the police often made stress for performers and I never liked having to look over my shoulder. Thus, I rarely bother to go out of my way to visit Heidelberg unless I find myself in the area. Here I am sitting by the fountain in the center of the Marktplatz.

We walked around the extensive castle grounds but did not pay to go inside. I remember being a bit disappointed that much of the structures were ruins although I was more let down at other sites in Europe when I saw restoration jobs that failed to capture the original look and feel. Sometimes it is better to do nothing than to slap some ugly, modern addition on to a middle-aged structure.

Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg

This is Tübingen, a beautiful University town 40 kilometers south of Stuttgart. While I often worked in Stuttgart on weekends, I used to hang out much more in Tübingen back in my early years in Europe. I also happened to have a couple of relationships with students and met my eventual wife there.

Tübingen has the reputation of being a hotbed of liberalism like Berkley. I personally found many of the left-wingers here to be rather naive and unrealistic. They were often full of strong opinions about places they had never been to or things they had never experienced. Despite this,  I shared many of their good intentions to be socially active. Still, it was a comfortable place to be and I always had some friends living there.

Coming from the main  train station one goes over the Neckar River which has a long island with shady trees. Stone walls line the river, historical houses built above and in recent years flowers have been planted along the Neckar bridge and elsewhere in the center. The river scenes with ancient buildings, droopping willows and poled  boats provide some of Tübingen’s icon images.

Tübingen Holzmarkt, Stiftskirche, Kirschgasse

The other main plaza in the city center is the Holzmarkt or wood market with the Stiftskirche church to the right. The stairs by the church are a nice place to sit and watch people go by. Other perforners like it but there was never  the right atmosphere to do shows here for me. There is just one small cafe off to the side unlike the 3 or 4 big ones on the Market Place, which is connected by the main walking street the Kirschgasse.

Tübingen Ammergasse

Another important Tübingen pedestrian street is the Ammergasse with it’s small creek, many small shops and cafe-bars. It runs from the Haagplatz to the Nonnenhaus and similarly named shopping center at the edge of the old botanical garden.

Tübingen Castle

On a hill looming over the old center of Tübingen is a relatively small but nice castle. One can walk around the outside enjoyng the views over the river and part of the center and in the courtyard. One has to pay to visit the interior however, which is a historical museum run by the University.

Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg

About 40 Km north of Stuttgart is the city of Ludwigsburg. Despite the occasional old building, the city is not particularly impressive with the exception of the residential palace. It is one of the largest examples of Baroque architecture in Europe and the biggest royal complex in Germany. In addition to Baroque, there are many architectural elements of Rococo, Neoclassical and Empire styles. There is not just one castle but a complex of 18 buildings built around 2 large courtyards. It also has extensive gardens that alone are a trip for some people. One can take tours that show parts of a couple of the buildings. But to see the whole complex, if it were open to the public would take a good day.

Besigheim an der Enz

Besigheim is a small town about 40 Km north of Stuttgart on the Enz river. The high river banks in this area are covered with vineyards. With its typical old “Fachwerk” half-timbered houses it is an example of towns small or militarily insignificant enough to have been spared being bombed in WWII. The old center above the river has two “Burgs”,  known as the upper and lower castles, each with a large stone tower. Other sites are the Marktplatz where one find the Rathouse or city-hall and the Stadthalle, a large buiding for events. I visited Besigheim a number of times over the years and most of these photos were taken in 2024 when I performed there on their Christmas market. 

Bietigheim-Bissingen

Another very nice town in the Stuttgart area close to Besigheim is Bietigheim-Bissingen, which has been the backdrop to some very good shows over the years. I established a friendly relationship to the head of the city Culture Office there and they hired me fairly regularly, especially for the annual XXL Festival as shown below. Beitigheim has no amazing buildings like forts or huge castles but a scattering of old half-timbered houses often accented with flowers in the summer.

Bietigheim-Bissingen; Artwork + statues

Near the Fräuleinsbrunnen is another simple but impressive statue of a woman. Throughout the center of Bietigheim are many statues in a similar style, like a baboon figure in front of the castle. Also, multiple huge figures like the Pferdeturm or horse tower at the upper end of the Hauptstrase. It has 4 horses vertically on top of each other, with somewhat abstract human faces on the side – and a couple of single horse figures with faces nearby. At the east end of the Hauptstraasse one finds the Kronenplatz or crown plaza. It showcases a large figure of a cow on top of a milk can, known as the Kuhriosum, shooting water in different directions from its’s base. German cities tend to have many fountains, sculptures and other artworks in public places but Bietigheim seems to have more than most for its size.

Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg

Heilbronn  is a small city of around 128,000 residents about 50 Kilometers north of Stuttgart. It is a pleasant but unspectacular city that was heavily damaged in WWII. The center is a maze of pedestrian streets with large modern shops. The center of it all is the historical Rathaus or city hall which is located on one side of the Marktplatz. On the other side is the large Kilian protestant church dating back to around 1100 with its medieval gargoyles on the steeple. Supposedly, there was a basilica on the spot dating back to 741 but this has not been proven. The existing structure was expanded over the centuries and first called Kilian church in 1297. WWII left it heavily damaged and it took from 1947 to 1974 to rebuild. Outside of the church is the holy or healing spring or heil-Brunnen from which the city’s name comes. Close by is the Deutschhof culture center and historical museum. Scattered throughout the center are many impressive metal sculptures. All seem to be human figures although some are rather abstract.

Bad Wimpfen

Bad Wimpfen is a well preserved small historical city about 70 kilometers north of Stuttgart, 15 Km north-west of Heilbronn, south-east of Heidelberg. The old city is on a hill over the Neckar River and has fortified walls, towers, churches and characteristic half-timbered houses. Unlike similar medieval cities there is no fortress but multiple imperial buildings that once belonged to the Kaiser. In the valley below where the city extends is also a very large Benedictine monastery, which we saw from the train but did not go down to see. The photos are from a visit in early 2024. The train station itself is an old historical building. From there one walks up the hill and through the gate of the old city walls. There is a large but plain stone tower known as the red tower. Along the wall is another smaller tower that is actually half-timbered and partially red.

Moving west from the red tower one passes the Pfalzkappel (Pfalz chapel). Next to it is the “Steinhaus” (stone house), which was originally a royal residence and is now a historical museum. Then one sees the Blaue Turm or blue tower that dominates the center of the old city. Built in 1170 it was a watchtower at the east edge of the initial city. It was modified over the centuries but is the older continuously used tower in Germany. Farther along one sees passes teh city hall and across the Marktplatz (market plaza) is the the Ev. Stadtkirch (Protestant city church). First built in 1234 and called the Marienkirche it was expanded immensely over the centuries to its present structure by 1529. After the reformation, protestant liturgy was preached here in 1529 and it became officially Lutheran in 1588. Next to the Stadtkirche is the Kreuzigungsgruppe (crucifiction group) the master piece by the acclaimed sculptor Hans Backoffen built in 1517.

Bad Wimpfen Fachwerkhäuser half-timbered houses

Throughout Bad Wimpfen are many half-timbered old houses known as Fachwerkhäuser.

Ulm, Baden-Württemberg

Ulm is about an hour east of Stuttgart by car or train. The city was founded on the northwest bank of the Danube River. In modern times it expanded across the river to the southwest, which likely complicates administrative issues because that side is in the State of Bavaria rather than Baden-Württemberg and it is called Neu-Ulm or New Ulm.  I performed on the streets in Ulm a number of times in years past and had the occasional gig or often transited through the train station but never spent much time looking around the city. Arriving at the central station one is on the edge of the downtown shopping business area. To the north and northeast is a massive area of train tracks. And arising in the background one can already see the spiral of the famous Ulm cathedral in the center of the old city. I found the contrast of the train tracks and adjacent old fortifications and bridge to be an interesting motif.

Ulm Münster (Minster), Münsterplatz

The iconic symbol of Ulm is the Münster aka Minster which towers over the skyline and the center of the city. It is Lutheran and despite its size technically not a cathedral since no bishop was stationed here. It is the highest church in the world and was the 5th highest structure built before the 20th century. Construction started in 1377 and went on for hundreds of years. The major pedestrian shopping streets cross here at the large square in front known as the Münsterplatz. A weekly outdoor market is hosted here, interestingly not on the nearby market plaza. There is a modern building housing the tourist information that contrast yet doesn’t clash with the gothic architecture of the Münster. Strolling behind the Münster there is a scattering of historic half-timbered buildings. Not far is the pictured protestant Dreifaltigkeitskirche or holy trinity church with its Petrusbrunnen or Peter’s fountain.

Ulmer Rathaus city-hall, Rathausplatz

A few hundred meters to the south of the Münsterplatz towards the Donau River is the old city-hall or Rathaus and adjacent Rathausplatz. There is a decrative fountain on the Marktplatz called the Fischkastenbrunnen or fish-box fountain.

Ulm Metzgerturm, Stadtmauer

South from the Rathaus one sees the Metzgerturm or butchers-tower and connected old city walls or Stadtmauer dating back to 1480. There is a nice walkway on the old walls with  plenty of outdoor restaurants and cafes. Below is the Danube river and a promenade and green areas.

Biberach an der Riß, Baden-Württemberg

Biberach on the Riß river is a bit over 30 Km south-west of Ulm, not to be confused with the other Biberach in Baden-Württemberg, 180 Km almost due west. It has over 34,000 inhabitants. Roman ruins and artifacts have been found but it wasn’t officially recorded anywhere as a city until 1083. The oldest surviving  architecture though dates to the 14^th and 15^th century.

From the old train station one passes the Ulmer Turm or tower headed SW towards the historical center.  Next to the tower was an interesting relief on a building showing that it was renovated into one building out of two after damage during  WW II.  A few blocks more, passing the birth house of notable local artist Johann Baptist Pflug (a statue of him is a few blocks away) and one sees the St. Martins church rising above the skyline. Here the long Marktplatz or market place starts. It is an open space with a nice fountain and cafes surrounded by many half-timbered buildings, the Rathaus or mayor’s office connected to the Altes Rathaus or old mayor’s office.

Throughout Biberach one sees multiple figures of Mary at the corners of historical buildings, surprising since after the reformation it was known to have become overwhelmingly protestant and many catholic art works and even the alter in the St. Martins church were destroyed.

South-east of St. Martins is the old Heiligen Geist or Holy Spirit Hospital which is now the Biberach city museum.

Biberach Holzmarkt, Ströhlinische Haus

Southwest of the Market Place is the Holzmarkt or (former)  wood market. There is a very large beautiful old building there built in 1590 by Junker Friedrich Ströhlin. His son was sent as a representative of the city during the 30 year war to meet with the Swedish opposition forces. The Swedes killed him and sent the corpse back and it, as well as eventually the corpse of the father, were buried in the house. On the other side of the Holzmarkt is a building called the Salzstadel, now a pharmacy, it once housed city officials who oversaw local commerce.

Biberach Gigelberg fortifications, city wall, White Tower, Gigel Tower

West of the Holzmarkt is the city hall and part of the old city wall fortifications that run up a ridge to the Weißer Turm or White Tower on Gigelberg or Gigel mountain . The Stadtmauer or city wall continues north along the ridge connecting with the Gigelturm or Gigel Tower. Apparently, the old center was once ringed by a double set of fortified walls but deemed inefficient with the development of artillery; most of the fortifications were torn down by the city itself rather than destroyed in combat. The city fell to attacks despite having fortifications and during WWII got bombed, mostly around the train station and was eventually occupied by French troops. After WWII,  a significant number of German refugees from eastern and northeastern Europe enclaves were resettled in Biberach.