 |
 |
| Rothenburg festivals
had lots and lots of parades and processions. The former were
scheduled events, while the latter seemed impromptu just to gather the
attention of the throngs of visitors. This shows a procession of
men and women in a long procession walking up Herrngasse to enter the
market square and basically mingle with the tourists. Some of them
engaged in a traditional dance or horseplay. |
This was another shot
on Herrngasse pointed toward the Burgtor. Shown is another group
in traditional military dress with a small wheeled cannon. This
group was getting ready to assemble for a parade to be held as the
beginning of the Whitmontag (White Monday) celebrations in early spring.
Many of these types of groups also liked to bring along a barrel mounted
on a wagon. The purpose of the barrel was to hold the Bavarian
beer. |
 |
 |
| Indeed, Herrngasse was
used a lot for these events. Here's a shot of these street during
a summer festival, with traditional artisans lining both sides of the
streets. |
This was a scene from
inside one of the tents. Here were three ladies making hardboiled
eggs that were going to be decorated like Easter eggs. We have
seen blacksmiths, merchants with old fashioned wooden scales for
weighing items, and musicians. |
 |
 |
| But not everything took place down
on the Herrngasse. This shot was taken at the Ploenlein in the
southern end of the city, showing a traditional little organ playing
music while the boys sold fruits and vegetables from an ancient wagon.
|
There was always music
and dance. During a summer festival, this traditional dance troup
was delighting crowds with song and dance in the Burggarten. While
the dancers were in lines, the musicians at back left were playing
homemade-style instruments. While we could not vouch for the
authenticity of the music, it sure sounded like traditional-style
melodies. |
 |
 |
| 20th century-style 'oompah'
(brass and flute) bands were also common. Each city had at least
one such band that toured around Bavaria, and several often have gigs at
Rothenburger festivals. This band played at the west end of
Herrngasse just above the puppet theater. |
Such bands were never
deterred from cold weather. Here's another band performing at the
main market square during the Christmas Market. Many of the bands
included both seniors and high school students together, which
encouraged such music to be preserved in Bavarian tradition. |
 |
 |
| Rothenburg's festivals
were colorful and decorative. Here was a shot of the main market
square during the Christmas Market. The chapter on
Obere Schmiedgasse also
showed the Rathaus decorated with flags for the summer market. |
Rothenburg also had
horse carriages available to carry passengers around during festivals.
Some were small two or four passenger buggies while this two-horse
carriage handled a dozen easily. |
Rothenburg hosted special events every month, but some events were larger
than others. The notable events were the Wittmontag celebration after
Pentecost, the Summer festival, the Imperial City Festival in the fall, and the
Christmas Market that lasted much of December. The Wittmontag and
Christmas Market are detailed in the Features section of this site.
Seven trips between 1999 and 2006 -- Page
last updated 01 September 2006
-- (C) 2006 Tom Galvin
