On today's 21km #kickbike #ride I reached Landsberg on @the_conqueror_challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge . I'm now completed over 80% of the challenge.

The picturesque town of Landsberg located on the River Lech was once a major salt route in the middle ages. In the same fashion as Friedberg it collected salt duties as a source of income and later added river taxes.

The town is a collection of pastel coloured buildings but the most impressive is the ornately decorated old town hall. Built in the 1700’s the building is three storeys high with a richly detailed stucco façade. The windows increase in size with each floor indicating the importance of the rooms behind them. The first two floors display significant paintings by Herkomer whilst the third floor is a ballroom with frescoes depicting the town’s history.

#romanticroadgermany #germany #europe #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #exercise #cycling #virtualchallenges

On today's 18km #kickbike #ride I reached Friedberg on @the_conqueror_challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Only 8km from Augsburg is the town of Friedberg. It was founded in the mid-13th century by the Bavarian Duke Ludwig II to protect the salt route and the borders against the powerful neighbouring Augsburgers who at the time wanted their territory across the River Lech.

#exercise #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #cycling #romanticroadgermany #germany #europe #virtualchallenges

On today's 10.3km #kickbike #ride I reached Augsburg on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Augsburg is one of the oldest cities in Germany, it is the third biggest city in Bavaria with a population of 300,000 residents (885,000 if you include the metro area) and a university town. Founded in 15BC by the Romans, it was named August Vindelicorum after Emperor Augustus. The city was home to the noble families Fugger and Welser who controlled European banking in the 16th century. The Water Management System of Augsburg became a UNESCO site in 2019.

#exercise #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #virtualchallenges #romanticroadgermany #germany #europe

On today's 29km #kickbike #ride I reached Harburg & Donauwörth on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

The small medieval village of Harburg is located in the Bavarian region of Swabia. It has a population of 5,500 residents and it sits between the banks of Wörnitz River and the castle hill with Harburg Castle rising above it. Its origins date back to the 12th century when it was owned by the Hohenstaufen family, a noble dynasty that rose to rule the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages (1138-1254).

Donauwörth sites at the confluence of the Wörnitz and the Danube Rivers sits. It began as a fishing settlement around the 10th century. The old town is located on an island surrounded by Wörnitz River and connected to the rest of the city by a wooden bridge via the oldest surviving town gate known as the Riedertor. Right through the centre of the old town runs Reichstrasse, a street lined with colourful houses built over multiple levels that were once homes to the nobility.

#romanticroadgermany #germany #exercise #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #cycling #virtualchallenges #europe

On today's 18.5km #kickbike #ride I reached Nördlingen on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

This is a town that is as old as time or at the very least the location certainly is. The town itself was built in a crater which was a result of a meteorite striking at 43,496mi/h (70,000km/h). The diameter of the crater is 15mi (25km) wide and the town sits within its depression.

A climb to the top of St George’s Cathedral clock tower presents an aerial view of the town, the crater and the fully preserved town wall. The 15th century Cathedral was built out of rock known as suevite. This type of rock is typically formed during an impact event such as the asteroid crashing. The clock tower is 300ft (90m) tall and affectionately named “Daniel” by the locals.

In the old locomotive sheds of Nördlingen Station is the Bavarian Railway Museum and home to more than 100 railway vehicles. Nördlingen’s depot was built in 1851 and was used by steam locomotives until 1966 when they were replaced by diesel locomotives and rail buses. In 1985 the depot was adapted to a museum.

#romanticroadgermany #germany #exercise #cycling #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #virtualchallenges #europe #railwaymuseum

On today's 21.5km #kickbike #ride I reached Wallerstein on @the_conqueror_challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Wallerstein came into existence in 1238 when it was initially known as Steinheim. Originally owned by Emperor Barbarossa, ownership was transferred to the House of Oettingen in 1250. The Oettingens developed and brought prosperity to the town until they lost their independence in 1806 and the town was enveloped into Bavaria.

#romanticroadgermany #germany #virtualchallenges #exercise #cycling #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking

On today's 14.2km #kickbike #ride I reached Dinkelsbühl & passed the 40% completed mark of The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Dinkelsbühl remains one of the best preserved medieval towns in Germany. The town is surrounded by a complete fortified wall with 16 towers and four fully preserved tower gates.

Inside the town wall is the 15th century Gothic hall church with a 13th century tower portal leading to an interior of 22 pillars supporting a vaulted roof. The Neo-Gothic high altar with a shrine circa 1490 is flanked by highly decorated side altars dating from the early 1500s. On display is a tablet from 1520 depicting the ten commandments and a walk up the tower presents the visitor with a view over the town.

#romanticroadgermany #germany #virtualchallenges #exercise #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #cycling

On today's 9.6km #kickbike #ride I reached Feuchtwangen on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

#exercise #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #virtualchallenges #Germany #romanticroadgermany

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On today's 29km #kickbike #ride I reached Röttingen, Creglingen & Rothenburg ob der Tauber on @the_conqueror_challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

First mentioned as Rutingen in 1103AD, the small town of Röttingen is known for its Franconian Festival that has been held every year for the last 30 years at Brattenstein Castle, and for it's sundials. Scattered along a 1.2mi (2km) circular route are 25 different types of sundials. The idea came from Kurt Fuchslocher, a master locksmith who loved sundials and their simple mechanics. He set about creating and building all the sundials in various styles and were added to Röttingen’s landscape in 1984.The open-air theatre features musicals, operettas, theatre and bands.

Set amongst the hills is the pretty little town of Creglingen and its population of 4,700 residents. Its main attraction is the 14th century Church of our Lord. In 1384, a piece of undamaged communion wafer (bread) was found in a peasant’s field. Believing that the wafer was the cause of miracles the local Lords built a chapel shortly after. Carved out of wood in early 1500 by gothic-sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider, the altar is a fine and intricate design of figures made from linden trees with the altar wings made of pine trees. During the Reformation period, the altar wings were closed instead of destroyed and remained that way for the next 300 years indirectly providing the best form of preservation throughout the centuries.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a beautifully preserved town and one of only three cities in Germany that has completely intact city walls, dating back to 1070AD. A walk around the wall is approximately 1.8mi (3km) long although in some sections there are houses backing onto the wall obstructing complete access for the full walk.

#romanticroadgermany #germany #exercise #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #europe #virtualchallenges

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On today's 10.4km #kickbike #ride I reached Weikersheim on @the_conqueror_challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Weikersheim is a small town of 7,358 residents but it is the Renaissance Palace and its Versailles style gardens that it is known for.

Weikersheim Palace was once the medieval seat of the princely House of Hohenlohe. Originally built in the 12th century, by the late 16th century it was rebuilt into a Renaissance Palace with the exception of the tall tower which was left as a symbol of its history. One of the most remarkable rooms is the ornate Mirror Cabinet. The walls in the room are covered with deep red wallpaper and decorated with gold trimmings, small mirrors and brackets to display the collection of porcelain, silver and precious stones figurines, and tin-glazed pottery from Ansbach, Germany.

The even more significant room is the 17th century Knight’s Hall. At 131ft (40m) in length, the entire wooden ceiling was attached to the roof structure without needing to use supports. Within each wooden frame is a painting of a hunting scene. The walls are decorated with stucco sculptures, large animal figures and grand master paintings. Entry is via a portal and directly opposite the room is the striking 30ft (9m) fireplace embellished with reliefs and figurines and the 15ft (4.5m) chandelier.

The outside gardens are a feast of symmetry and regularity. Designed as a continuation of the castle, the garden path is bordered by colourful flowers, sandstone sculptures of ancient gods and a large pool at the end. Box hedges surround floral beds, a central fountain has a statue of Hercules holding a dragon with its head tilted up spitting jets of water from its mouth and the orangery with its two wings, large arched windows and large stone figures on the roof is a greenhouse for palm trees, citrus plants and other exotic plants.

#romanticroadgermany #virtualchallenge #exercise #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #cycling #germany

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On today's 9.4km #kickbike #ride I reached Bad Mergentheim on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge. I have also now completed more than 20% of the challenge's distance.

Officially recognised as a spa town since 1926, Bad Mergentheim is a one stop-shop for relaxation and rejuvenation. As one of the largest health resorts in the state of Baden-Württemberg, the town receives more than 100,000 visitors each year.

The stunning Spa Park is an outdoor oasis of peace and tranquility amongst greenery, exotic and native trees, and beds of vibrant floral displays. You can listen to the sounds of tweeting birds or observe the perfectly choreographed dancing water move to a piece of music at the fountains. Even better to see it at night when the coloured lights are on adding another layer to the routine. Small waterfalls, a granite arched bridge and exotic plants make up the Japanese garden offering calmness and balance or a colourful feast of blooming roses can be experienced in the Rose Garden with its collection of 30 different varieties.

During the Middle Ages, Bad Mergentheim was headquarters to the Teutonic Order. Their purpose was to help Christians on the pilgrimage to the Holy Land and to build hospitals. Referred to as Teutonic Knights, the military order was made up of both volunteers and mercenaries. Mergentheim Palace is the town’s landmark building and was the home base of the Teutonic Order until 1809. Built in the 12th century it was expanded several times for the next 800 years. Dominated by the palace church, the interior is a work of art featuring elaborate ceiling frescoes, whilst the crypt below the church is the burial site of the order’s grand masters. Today the palace is a museum exhibiting the Order’s history.

#romanticroad #romanticroadgermany #germany #exercise #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #cycling

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Today, 1st June, I started my next @the_conqueror_challenges #challenge - The Romantic Road.

Germany’s most scenic route begins on the River Main and ends in the foothills of the Alps. Winding its way through medieval villages and Bavarian towns the route endearingly called “Romantic Road” evokes images of castles, half-timbered homes, cobblestoned alleys, warm and hearty culinary delights, art, culture and a long history.

Travelling through 29 towns, the journey begins in the city of Würzburg. With a population of 130,000 residents, the city spans the banks of the River Main, showcasing lavish baroque and rococo architecture.

#romanticroadgermany #fitnesschallenges #kickbike #footbike #cycling #exercise #germany

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