earlier this week i found myself in the medieval walled city of Villingen in the Black Forest. The town, one time seat of the regional watchmaking industry, enjoyed such historical high points as the Fürstengrab Magdalenenberg, (a Celtic Burial Mound), the Black Death, three separate sieges during the Thirty Years War, (though the town stayed Catholic throughout the tumult) and of course the Revolution of 1848. While compact Villingen had all the usual urban offerings, including a small synagogue which they burnt down during Kristallnacht. Today the inner city has been quaintly restored and converted into a pedestrian shopping zone in order to attract local businesses and tourist with some success. I had dinner in the The Red Lion,first established in the year 1514 and my hotel was just next to a monastery which now houses the local history museum.
Next week i am due to travel to Essen for two days and then to Aachen - continuing my all too rapid tour of german cities.
Immer Vorwarts! Nimmer Ruckwarts!
