Roth

From Prague a coach took us over a 3 hour journey to Nuremberg where we docked at Roth. We were also given a choice on sightseeing;

 to see Nuremberg or Roth.

Since we had seen in the Nuremberg in 2006, we opted for the latter.

Docked at Roth pronounced as "Rote" by the locals, it has 19 villages of only 25,000 people. Subang Jaya , a suburban town has more than 500,000 residents. So you can imagine how quiet and sweet Roth is; how sleepy too. Not many can survive here for lack of excitement.

 Big patches of green; the meadows must be like the ones of "Anne of Green Gables". Life is exactly as peaceful as seen above.

So, what do tourists see here?

We were brought to an old museum which was once a mill and then turned into a blacksmith enterprise; producing iron products for the use of olden days. It was owned and operated by a family; the Schaffs. The enterprise passed down a few generations and the technology applied then can still function today; so typical of German products as they last forever. People die but the technology still stays.

Before anything else, we were first informed that the source of energy was from this mechanism.  Water power. What else back then? Coal?

We were curious to see what was inside the building.

Leather belts to get the machine rolling.

This guy was employed to run the place and keep tourism alive here.

He first demonstrated how he would make a hook using the old way; how a piece of steel was cut and  bent by inserting in fire and later to shape it accordingly.

 "See, I am going to bend this piece of metal"

 So, this is one little hook still used by farmers in vineyards to support grape plants.

 These are other parts produced through this workshop in better times; 

for war and peace.

A history of the family who owned and made good business of the operations.

So many generations; the photo intrigued me.

She was apparently the good wife of the enterpriser.
I said good because she was so missed by her loved ones after her untimely death.

 The guide told us that she was so missed that the husband would rest in the afternoons in the family toilet in the afternoons as she was associated with the room. Men seldom love their wives in this manner in modern times.

We took the liberty to see around the home and got a glimpse of life back then.

The kitchen sink.

 The stove; observe the kettles.

 The oven.

Out of no where and not in sync with the rest of utilities, a handsome Siemens product stood out; it reminded me of my sister's husband; a Dutch.

The little plot of garden was an unforgettable sight.

Next, we saw an ancient building , built in the 16th century .

It has a huge courtyard which could have been the spot for a hive of activities and parties.

Notice the barricade at the balcony; intricately built for its function then.

This was the owner; a rich merchant with no blue blood but became a noble by marriage; that was a way one can turn important I guess.

The activities then if not written can be depicted through paintings.
 It was a period of art, music and culture.

There were good artisans and architecture. Back then with little technology, people could still built in such a majestic style.
Come to think of it, they are even more creative than present day builders.

 Look at the intricately tiled floor. It stayed good till this day.

Dining days are seriously done.

 Another story depicted on the wall.

A ceiling of love expressed. So much time spent on relationships and love.

A part of the history of medieval times recorded on the wall.

Well tainted glass windows; all pieces of art.

Tourists refer this information board when in Roth; though not much to offer.

The building with its prominent steeple could be the town council .

 A pretty town with its quaint outlook; so typical of Europe.

 The square was also the market place where trading is done. The nearby shops offer household items, clothing and food items for local consumption.

 You only need to see Roth once in your lifetime; plain and nothing of much excitement.

Looking forward to the next city.