For months we have been hearing about all the different Christmas Markets being cancelled because of the concern for people's health due to the Corona virus. We had heard that there were still a few places that had some Christmas booths so we headed to Würzburg to find out.
When we entered the Alstadt (Old Town), we were pleasantly surprised to see several booths with food and holiday treasures. They were spaced further apart and there were a lot fewer people, so that made us feel a little better being out and about. We were sure to get in line for a good bratwurst right away, which didn't disappoint. It's so strange not to be able to sit down and eat a meal. Food is only available for takeout.
Joanne had been looking for a certain style of necklace and it was found in a little shop just off the main square. Now it is wrapped and under our tree. We had to stand in line since they were only allowing two people in the store at one time.
John and Shauna Richards were delighted to see a little of what a full-blown Christmas Market might look like.
The Andersons and a few other couples headed to Würzburg, as well. It was a popular destination.
We were told that wearing a mask was being strictly enforced with a hefty penalty of 250 Euros.
A little background on Würzburg from Wikipedia: On 16 March 1945, about 90% of the city was destroyed in 17 minutes by fire bombing from 225 British Lancaster bombers during a World War II air raid. Würzburg became a target for its role as a traffic hub and to break the spirit of the population.
All of the city's churches, cathedrals, and other monuments were heavily damaged or destroyed.
The city center, which mostly dated from medieval times, was totally destroyed in a
firestorm in which 5,000 people perished.
Over the next 20 years, the buildings of historical importance were painstakingly and accurately reconstructed. The citizens who rebuilt the city immediately after the end of the war were mostly women – Trümmerfrauen ("rubble women") – because the men were either dead or still prisoners of war. On a relative scale, Würzburg was destroyed to a larger extent than was Dresden in a firebombing the previous month.
Karen took some great pictures of the bridge, which she is always so willing to share. Can you see us waving?
