Dettelbach is one of those romantic, Franconian wine-growing villages that seem a bit sleepy on the one hand, but nevertheless, thanks to the mild climate and the generously distributed hours of sunshine, radiate life and enjoyment that you would otherwise expect south of the Alps. La dolce Vita – the sweet life – but in Franconia!

Dettelbach and its districts have almost 7,300 inhabitants and proudly look back on a rich and far-reaching history for such a small town. A few salient points I remember from my childhood.

The alley where I used to play with my cousins

The medieval city fortification with 52 watch towers and five city gates is almost completely preserved, despite demolitions. This Medieval tower is now used as a vacation apartment

Already in the 19th century, three of the five city gates were sacrificed due to traffic. Very well preserved are the Brücker Tor in the north and the Faltertor at the northeast corner of the city wall

Particularly worth seeing is the late Gothic town hall, and the ensemble around the small marketplace below the town church.

According to a legend, the architect is said to have planned the town hall, so that three people can enter the town hall simultaneously without being seen (outside staircase, passage, from the west side). Below the town church, a pillory with pedestal and iron bar and the inscription “For bad People” can still be seen.

A special local pastry specialty are the spicy Muskatzinen cookies, which are made out of spiced dough with loop-shaped wooden models, then baked and available in the two pastry shops/cafes of the city. Nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves and maybe allspice, seems to be a main ingredient.

In walked many times up the romantic stairs next of the medieval wall with the watch towers

The watch towers are now occupied by residents or offered as an B&B’s to guests

Just as medieval are the narrow cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses.

Next to Maria im Sand from anno 1616, which is a pilgrimage church, was a Franciscan monastery. My Oma and Opa lay in the adjacent cemetery.

The oldest Guesthouse in Dettelbach from the 1500’s

My Watercolor painting of the Dettelbach City Hall

Dettelbach Rathaus or town hall, town council meeting room

Town hall door from 1581

Dettelbach Tax collection box anno 1500’s

A romantic corner to sit

Pfarrkirche Sankt Augustine

The steps to the fortified defense wall

View to St. Augustine Church