Castles and churches in Esslingen

Monday was a holiday for us, but the rest of the world was back to work. Anne rode her bike to the office that morning so that we could use her car to go to Esslingen, a town only 20 minutes away by car but an hour away by train. Still unsure of what all the road signs meant, we jumped into the kiwi and went on an adventure.

Anne recommended Esslingen as a day trip because it reminded her of a town near her home, with lots of traditional ”Fachwerk” buildings and stone churches. In addition, part of the medieval city wall is still standing with the fortifications at the top of the hill. That, of course, was our first destination. The day being hot as it was, it made sense to climb the wall before lunchtime. Plus, castles are my favorite!

Climbing up the wall...

The old city from the "Burg"

Below the city wall we walked through the colorful Beutau neighborhood. It once housed poorer vineyard workers, who were paid in wine which they could sell from their houses.

In town, we went into three of the major churches: St Dionysus, St Paul Münster, and the Frauenkirche. Each had been founded in the middle ages and finished or added to in later years. The heavy stone walls were supported by solid, thick buttresses. Most of the colorful windows were original, showing various historical and biblical stories. M had never seen buildings like them, and we both appreciated the level of artistry in them.

Frauenkirche. I'm in the arrow loop!

M in the choir

A high alter. The side panels are opened on feast days.

We stopped for lunch in the main market, then wandered down to the canal that had been built centuries before to bring traffic from the Neckar River directly into the town. The parks, bridges, and half-timbered houses were the perfect backdrop for an afternoon stroll.

Out lunch spot, Zum wilden Mann

Schelztorturm

Tschüß, Esslingen!