Tuesday 28 August 2012

A postcard town

A postcard town - that's what it's often called.Freudenberg. A small town in North Rhine-Westphalia. What makes it so special? As usually, its old town.


We left our car on one of the car parks and started climbing a hill that we had topass in order to get to the old town. And that was our goal - just the old town. We decided to visit Freudenberg because it was close to the place where we were staying for the night. It wasn't a kind of a must-seeon our holiday route. Still, I'm happy we've been there.

Why does Freudenberg look the way it looks? Everything so similar, almost identical. Each building, each street. It's so easy to get lost in those narrow streets with almost identical buildings on each side.

First the town and the castle were burnt down in 1540. Heavily damaged. In the mid-16th century, the rebuilding works started. And then came another huge fire in 1666. The fire that's truly responsible for the town's present look. It's after this fire that Prince Johann Moritz von Nassau-Siegen built the town anew. In a relatively short time, I might add. All according to the 1540 rebuild plans. The castle, though, was never restored.

The Alter Flecken is Fruedenberg's downtown built wholly of half-timbered houses. It truly gives the impression of a small 17th century town. A postcard town.

It's really worth it to have a walk in the old town. Experience that feeling of being lost and confused, not knowing where you are, where to turn. You get used to it after a while and can easily navigate in the old town, so no worries. The first impression, though, is excellent.

When you're there, don't hesitate and go to the park opposite to the old town. Climb that hill even when you're tired. The views from up there will pay you back for all the tiredness. It's so worth it! Have a look and enjoy!

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