All I had to see was one word - Bavaria - in the first paragraph of "Dinkelsbuhl, Romantic Vision From the Past," in the December, 1931, issue of National Geographic Magazine (no author listed), and I MUST read on! My Grandmother Marie claimed that area of Germany was where "our people" came from. So, I need to know more.
Aha! Dinkelsbuhl (pronounced dinkles-bool) was, at least in 1931, a small walled, out-of-the-way, medieval, "living, fairy-tale town - a vision from the long-gone Middle Ages. . . Everything is incredibly old but extremely well preserved" (p. 689). The town was settled more than 1,000 years ago.
There was an annual play put on by children re-enacting the surrender of the town to the Swedes in 1632. The Swedes were about to take over and plunder the town when they heard that the Swedish leader's little son had just died. An child offered to go to the leader and offer gifts. Not knowing anything else that might work, they agreed. The Swedish leader was so touched that he still took over the town but commanded his troops to not kill or plunder.
The Church of St. George, built in the 15th century, dominates the Market Square. It is "perhaps the finest late Gothic church in southern Germany" (p 692).
Have you ever heard of this: "the three upper stories of the steeped-roof building. . . were used to facilitate the storage of grain. . . for use in times of siege"? (photo caption, p. 693). What a well-fortified village! And how many times must they have had to prepare for siege in 1,000 years!
In this short article, there are several color photos of the town in all its glory in 1931. I googled the town, found it still performs the annual play in mid-July. I'm hooked! I'm in love! I will go to Dinkelsbuhl some day!!
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