You guys like my local rail adventures, so here's a doozy. On Saturday, I got a wild hair and decided to check out Rottenburg am Neckar, about 45 minutes away by train. /1 
Rottenburg (Neckar) is the seat of the local Catholic diocese. Couple of reasons - Stuttgart was a Protestant city, and Rottenburg was actually *Austrian* by marriage and inheritance from the middle ages until 1806.
Super Catholic, those Austrians. /2
Super Catholic, those Austrians. /2
I like to pride myself on my research before I go somewhere, but I wasn't ready for my first stop - the Stiftskirche (or Collegiate Church).
Before becoming a Lutheran church with multiple priests, it was a pilgrimage church to St Maurice on the way to Compostela. /3
Before becoming a Lutheran church with multiple priests, it was a pilgrimage church to St Maurice on the way to Compostela. /3
I love medieval wall art, and the Stiftskirche was absolutely loaded.
In the high middle ages, these pillars depicting saints or Christ would have served as mini-shrines, ensuring that everyone had a place to pray (and give offerings). /4
In the high middle ages, these pillars depicting saints or Christ would have served as mini-shrines, ensuring that everyone had a place to pray (and give offerings). /4
Medieval wall art is fairly rare, but there are clusters where it becomes fairly common in churches - in formerly Catholic areas, even more so. The Stiftskirche pieces had been lovingly restored. /5
Yes, I was definitely in a Catholic pocket of Southern Germany, alright... /6
I stuck my head into the Catholic cathedral - formerly a humble town church - but it was all rather modern. Cool statues though.
There was an outcry when the church was selected to become a cathedral. The chancel is slightly out of alignment. Still chafes some locals. /7
There was an outcry when the church was selected to become a cathedral. The chancel is slightly out of alignment. Still chafes some locals. /7
Jews have lived in Rottenburg (Neckar) since the 12th century. Resilient and hardy, they keep coming back despite pogroms and persecution - I get it, it's a lovely place.
A few years ago, a memorial was put together by the town, commemorating their continued presence. /8
A few years ago, a memorial was put together by the town, commemorating their continued presence. /8
Next stop took me way back - until around 260CE, Rottenburg (Neckar) was called Sumolocenna.
The Roman baths have been preserved with a museum explaining life in Germania Major and Rhaetia during the time of Empire. /9
The Roman baths have been preserved with a museum explaining life in Germania Major and Rhaetia during the time of Empire. /9
If you walk around town, many official buildings still have the Habsburg eagle as part of the town arms.
Like I said, Catholic Austrian possession for many centuries. The atmosphere hasn't worn off. /10
Like I said, Catholic Austrian possession for many centuries. The atmosphere hasn't worn off. /10
My final stop for the day was the Diocesan Museum, where the local Catholic diocese stores all its art holdings.
It's a hugely impressive place, and I recommend you go, especially if you enjoy medieval art. /11 dioezesanmuseum-rottenburg.de/en/
It's a hugely impressive place, and I recommend you go, especially if you enjoy medieval art. /11 dioezesanmuseum-rottenburg.de/en/
Happily sated, I toddled off back to the station - and that was my day, I hope you enjoyed that!
I went and explored the town of Backnang yesterday between jobs, and I'll tell that story when done editing photos... /FIN
I went and explored the town of Backnang yesterday between jobs, and I'll tell that story when done editing photos... /FIN
