Seniors Visit A Crater City Called Nördlingen

Grab your coffee, senior friends and let’s go to Germany this morning. In my search for sites not to be missed in Germany, I recently read about Nördlingen, a medieval town in the Donau-Ries district, in Bavaria, with a population of approximately 24,000.

It was first mentioned in recorded history in 898, and in 1998 the town celebrated its 1100th anniversary. Nördlingen is one of few German cities which has kept the medieval rounded shape with its fortification wall that completely surrounds city. Senior visitors can climb to a viewing platform  for a 360-degree scenic view of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Nördlingen is one of the most attractive of the towns in the central part of what is called the Romantic Road. It is one of only a few towns that remain with a fully preserved town wall that you can tour on foot in about an hour.

 Seniors Enjoy Medieval Town Built In A Crater

Nördlingen offers an additional attraction of geological interest, being located in the crater of a meteorite impact, with its impressive tower built of the rock formed from that impact. The crater called the Nördlinger Ries, was formed some 14.5 million years ago.

It was less than fifty years ago that evidence emerged which established the true origin of the crater. For years, it was believed that the shallow depression in the middle of which the town is situated was a volcanic crater.

Then in 1960 two American scientists, Eugene Shoemaker (of comet Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 fame) and Edward Chao, proved that the depression was in fact, caused by ancient meteorite impact.

TripAdvisor suggests that senior visitors not miss St. Georgskirche (St. Georg’s Church), constructed between 1427 and 1505 with a 90 m high tower over the west entrance, that all the locals call the “Daniel.” The tower is said to be one of the best reasons for a visit to the town so plan on taking the 295 foot climb.

Seniors Stop at The Town Hall

The Town Hall (Alstadt) is the oldest stone-built house in the town, dating back to the 13th century. From 1313, after it had been purchased by the Heilsbronn Monastery, until 1382 it was used as a trading house.

Virtual Tourists description of Nördlinger is excellent with descriptions and photos on the major tourist attractions. Seniors, set your sights on a town that is unique among the many highly scenic cities in Deutschland. And by all means, bring along a healthy appetite and enjoy the food in the great restaurants. -jeb