Quaint village in Germany market square at night purchase here:

https://www.pictorem.com/984152/Rothenburg%20Market%20Square%20and%20Town%20Hall.html

#rothenburg #germany #architecture #historicgermany #romanticroad #townsquare #marketsquare #wallartforsale #wallart #gifts #giftideas #interiordesign #homedecor #ayearforart #BuyIntoArt #wallart #gifts #interiordecor #interiordesign #homedecoration #nature #elegantfinephotography #normabrandsberg

On today's 6.1km #kickbike #ride I reached Füssen and completed the whole challenge on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

#romanticroad #germany #europe #cycling #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #exercise #virtualchallenge #exercisechallenge

On today's 11.7km #kickbike #ride I reached Halblech & Schwangau on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

On the banks of Halblech River is the small village of Halblech and its 3500 residents. Described as Bavaria’s largest nature reserve, Halblech is a holiday destination year round offering activities such as hiking, cycling, skiing and cross country skiing.

Surrounded by lakes and a mountainous backdrop, Schwangau is the second last town on the Romantic Road. Due to its proximity to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle and its neighbouring Hohenschwangau Castle, Schwangau is referred to as the “village of royal castles”.

#romanticroad #germany #europe #cycling #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #exercise #virtualchallenge

On today's 31km #kickbike #ride I reached Rottenbuch, Wildsteig, Peiting & Steingaden on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Rottenbuch is a small village with a mere 1800 residents but its history is deeply tied to the former 11th century Augustinian monastery. When the clergy was donated property, income and land by the Duke of Bavaria in 1073, they went about building a monastery followed by a church and providing rental properties to craftsmen and employees in their service.

In the foothills of the Alps sits the village of Wildsteig. This quiet community of 1370 residents is surrounded by the Ammergau and Allgäu mountains making it a great location for hiking, Nordic walking or cross-country skiing.

A mere 1.5mi (3km) southeast of Schongau, across the River Lech is the town of Peiting. First mention of the town was in 1055AD when a castle was built on the Schlossberg (castle hill). It is one of the oldest settlements in the area. After WWII around 1,500 refugees found their home in Peiting. To remember those who perished a memorial chapel was built and inaugurated in 1987. It is the town’s hope that the memorial will remind future generations of their history and “help to build bridges of understanding from person to person, from community to community, from people to people”.

The former monastery village of Steingaden has a long history tied to Steingaden Abbey. A 12th century monastery, it was originally built in a Romanesque style. Sadly the monastery suffered throughout the centuries when it was looted and burnt during the Peasants’ War in 1525 then nearly fully destroyed during the Thirty Years’ Wars. Rebuilt in a Baroque style in the 17th century the monastery came to an end during the secularisation in 1803. With the exception of the cloisters and the abbey church the rest of the buildings were auctioned off and demolished.

#romanticroad #germany #europe #virtualchallenge #exercise #cycling #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking

On today's 14km #kickbike #ride I reached Schongau and Hohenfurch on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Located along the River Lech is the new town of Schongau. Although it is over 700 years old, the original Schongau used to be a few miles to the northeast of the current town. Sometime in the 13th century a large number of residents moved from the old Schongau and established a new settlement. When they left they took the town’s name with them.

On the banks of Schönach River sits the rural village of Hohenfurch and its 1500 residents. The village is surrounded by expansive meadows and forests and it is a holiday destination for those who enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, cycling, horse riding and cross-country skiing to name a few. South of the village on a hill is the charming Gothic Chapel of St Ursula. Built around 1520 the chapel was dedicated to St Ursula, the patron saint of raftsmen.

#romanticroad #germany #europe #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #cycling #exercise #virtualchallenge

On today's 14.4km #kickbike #ride I reached Rain on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Rain is a small town of 8,800 residents located near the River Lech. It was founded in the mid-13th century for strategic purposes. Protecting Bavaria from the northwest, Rain was also a collection point for customs from those crossing the bridge over the river.

The Battle of Rain took place in 1632 during the Thirty Years’ War. The battle was between the Swedish Protestant army and the Catholic League (a Holy Roman Empire coalition) commanded by the Count of Tilly. During the battle Tilly and his second in command were severely injured, leaving the army leaderless. The army withdrew and shortly after Tilly died from his wound. A monument commemorating Tilly was erected in 1914 in front of the Town Hall.

#romanticroad #germany #europe #virtualchallenges #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #cycling #exercise

On today's 9.4km #kickbike #ride I reached Bad Mergentheim on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge. I have also now completed more than 20% of the challenge's distance.

Officially recognised as a spa town since 1926, Bad Mergentheim is a one stop-shop for relaxation and rejuvenation. As one of the largest health resorts in the state of Baden-Württemberg, the town receives more than 100,000 visitors each year.

The stunning Spa Park is an outdoor oasis of peace and tranquility amongst greenery, exotic and native trees, and beds of vibrant floral displays. You can listen to the sounds of tweeting birds or observe the perfectly choreographed dancing water move to a piece of music at the fountains. Even better to see it at night when the coloured lights are on adding another layer to the routine. Small waterfalls, a granite arched bridge and exotic plants make up the Japanese garden offering calmness and balance or a colourful feast of blooming roses can be experienced in the Rose Garden with its collection of 30 different varieties.

During the Middle Ages, Bad Mergentheim was headquarters to the Teutonic Order. Their purpose was to help Christians on the pilgrimage to the Holy Land and to build hospitals. Referred to as Teutonic Knights, the military order was made up of both volunteers and mercenaries. Mergentheim Palace is the town’s landmark building and was the home base of the Teutonic Order until 1809. Built in the 12th century it was expanded several times for the next 800 years. Dominated by the palace church, the interior is a work of art featuring elaborate ceiling frescoes, whilst the crypt below the church is the burial site of the order’s grand masters. Today the palace is a museum exhibiting the Order’s history.

#romanticroad #romanticroadgermany #germany #exercise #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #cycling

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtNyc38RfDA/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

Today's 10km #kickbike #ride brought me through Lauda-Königshofen on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Lauda and Königshofen are two neighbouring towns known for their hillside vineyards on either side of the Tauber Valley. The diversity of grapes in the area produce a wide variety of red and white wines. Depending on your palate, in the white wine range there’s the Bacchus with its strong bouquet, the Gewürtztraminer that may be anywhere from sweet to dry or Silvaner with its full-bodied pear flavour. If red is more to your liking how about a black Riesling with its ruby red color and velvety aroma but not too strong a flavour; or maybe a more modern grape, the Acolon. Created in 1971, the Acolon has a terrific, intense colour but the grape was only officially recognised thirty years later. Now well established it is a complimentary wine to a meat based dish or a platter of hard cheese.

Lauda-Königshofen is not a tourist destination, just more of an overnight stopover unless of course you want to sample the various vineyards in the area. However, when the Königshöfer Messe, a folk festival, comes to town, the area attracts more than 150,000 visitors. This 10 days festival has been running for over 500 years offering music, culinary specialties, a running race with various categories, amusement park and trade fair.

Half-timbered houses, museums, historical stone bridges or a stroll along the Tauber river may be a more preferred option for a quieter experience. Several churches date back to 18th century, whilst many of the half-timbered houses date back to as early as the 16th century.

#romanticroad #germany #kickbiking #footbike #footbiking #cycling #exercise #fitnesschallenges

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtLO76-RpvG/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

Today's 8.9km #kickbike #ride brought me to Tauberbischofsheim on the Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Tauberbischofsheim is located within the state of Baden-Württemberg on the Tauber River and it is the capital city of the Main-Tauber district. Based on prehistoric finds, the area was settled around 3,000BC, however, the first mention of the town was in 836AD and known as Bischofsheim (Bishop’s Place). Since other towns carried the same name in 1850 Tauber (the name of the river) was added to give its current name.

Landmark buildings such as Chapel of S. Peter, Kurmainz Castle and Türmersturm Tower were built in the 12th and 13th centuries and at one time the entire town was surrounded by a defensive wall. Half-timbered houses and the gothic revival town hall encircle the central plaza (marktplatz).

#romanticroad #germany #virtualchallenge #fitnesschallenge #exercise #kickbiking #footbike #footbiking #cycling

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtIpqbkrfgB/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==