Rothenburg, Plönlein

Each time we approach Rothenburg we wonder if it can really be as delightful and captivating as we remember. On our several visits so far, we have yet to be disappointed. People who stop by Rothenburg, leave with the impression they have just discovered the consummate little German town.

It’s really very easy to suggest what to see in Rothenburg — see it all. As we walked down the hill from the Marktplatz, we recognized what is probably Germany’s most photographed Spitzhäuschen (crooked narrow half-timbered little pointed-house), called the Plönlein (little place). Each time we visited, our photos of the Plönlein included cars, motorbikes and people. One time as I approached this corner, I noticed that if I could wait for a few seconds that last car would disappear and at last, a “clean” photo. I stepped into the street and stopped the cooperative traffic behind me and got that perfect picture, except — what a let down, it had no character. All that effort, and it’s obvious that people and things “do a picture make.”