Wertheim

Our stop in Wertheim was magical, an easy walking tour through a relatively small medieval town, followed by a relaxing cruise filled with picturesque camera shots! I think this afternoon was to prepare us what's to come. Wertheim is strategically located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers, upstream from where the Main meets the Rhine. It is known for its glassworks, wine and castle ruins that are amongst the largest in Germany.
The Wetheim Castle was built in the 12th century, expanded during the 15th - 17th and destroyed during the Thirty Years' War in 1634. The main landmark of the town, it overlooks narrow streets filled with half-timbered houses and the Gothic architecture of the church and abbey.
While the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy is famous, what exists here in Wertheim, the Pointed Tower built in the 13th century as a lookout, also has a severe lean to it also. It leans because of 800 years of flooding. Many of the town's structures include markers showing high water marks through the centuries. I continue to be amazed at the resilience of those living along the rivers of Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany, who clean up from floods twice in the spring and twice in the autumn.
For those into further research, sightings along the way today have included Stratprozelten, a little town in the narrow valley of the Main between Miltenberg and Wertheim and it's castle Henneburg, Freudenberg with its castle towering over the town, Miltenberg, valued by the Romans for its strategic importance along the Main, Grossenbach, famous for its monastic beer brewing... So much to enjoy...all views along the river!
Out travels along the rivers have until today been mostly through the state of Bavaria with its natural surroundings, a wealth of culture... No wonder it is one of Germany's most popular holiday regions. I think that one of the most surprising elements has been the number of recreational vehicles, both trailers and motor homes that have been parked along the rivers and canals. RV parks are everywhere and still busy into the month of October. Many are adjacent to the numerous locks through which we pass. Our riverboat is 425 feet long and in most locks there is apace for at least two boats end to end. The locks are enormous!
Tomorrow...through the castle region from Koblenz to Cologne. The camera and the iPad are already both on charge!