Limburg an der Lahn

Today’s Saturday outing took us to Limburg on the Lahn River. We’ve been here a couple of times before, but wanted to return with friends to take a closer look at this very charming medieval town that was first mentioned in 910. The town of Limburg grew around the 9th-century Limburg Castle (Burg Limburg) on the Lahn River. Soon the St. George’s Monastery (later to become Limburg Cathedral) was erected and the town began to flourish both religiously and economically and Limburg increased in importance.

The very first thing we noticed as we came up out of the parking garage was a Stolperstein, which quickly reminded us that hard things happened here.

Limburg an der Lahn is defined by having the most preserved concentration of medieval half-timbered homes of anywhere in Germany. These beautiful homes lining the streets were built between the 13th and 18th centuries. Their foundations have settled over time. As a result, many of these magnificent homes lean a bit with their gables almost touching. But they still look solid and sure. I love to imagine the people who have lived here and the ways our worlds have changed.

Also interesting are the homes built with slate tiles.

Here’s an interesting monument that speaks volumes: While the men drink at the pubs, the women cry.

They say that taxes were paid on the footprint of the home, so many homes get larger as they get taller.

These homes and businesses are really beautiful. I’m always astounded at how LARGE the homes were that long ago. And how long they’ve stood.

Here is a very old traditional Limburg bakery that still uses old traditional methods and recipes. We decided to continue our tradition of a pastry in every town in this place. It smelled heavenly!

I, of course, asked for something with raisins in it and the kind baker handed me a small loaf of raisin bread that was SO GOOD. I ate the whole thing.