Dettelbach, a medieval town, was first mentioned in 741 a.D. I spent my summers there with uncles and aunts, where I stayed in my grandfather’s home built in 1560. I still hold a special connection with this historic town
Dettelbach is one of those romantic, Franconian wine-growing towns that seems a bit sleepy. Thanks to the mild climate.
My grandparents home. One of the oldest homes in town, from 1560
They moved into this Fachwerk in early 1900’s where Grandfather had a shoe store on the main level besides being the Mayor of Dettelbach
Also see “My Great-Grandfather the Journeyman“
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.
Dettelbach medieval wall with watch towers
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.
Walking at the medieval wall with the now lived in watch houses
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
I highly recommend getting the new Rick Steves “Germany” Books. They can be purchased right here
My cousin and Aunt used to live there. I been there many times. Thank you for sharing.
Hast Du ganz toll zusammengestellt Angie! Wunderbar finde ich auch daß Du noch das Haus der Grosseltern kennst und daß es so historisch ist! Sollte ich jemals noch in diese Gegend kommen, würde ich gerne auch dieses Städtchen besuchen.
Folks, go and visit, it’s an authentic and historic villiage without horrendous masses of tourists!