Thrauthemburg, Germany

From my notes -Touring Germany

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Touring Germany would not be complete without a stop in the historic city of Aschaffenburg. Aschaffenburg is a city in North West Bavaria, Germany. It is located on the right bank of the Main River. The City Gardens are wonderful, clean and peaceful. Americans added to the gardens over the years in the form of American squirrels and chipmunks that roam freely throughout the park. The gardens are well kept and serve as a gathering place for residents and tourists. Although it is within Bavaria, the city's inhabitants claim to be Franconia’s, not Bavarians.
Aschaffenburg, was originally a Roman settlement. Roman legions erected a small fort here during their occupation, it is now park of the city park, centered in a moat. Saint Boniface erected a chapel to Saint Martin, and founded a Benedictine monastery. A stone bridge over the Main was built by Archbishop Willigis in 989. Duke Adalbert increased the importance of the town in 1122 by building several structures and increased trade in the city. In 1292 a synod was held in Aschaffenburg, and in 1474 an imperial diet, was decided which is sometimes called the Aschaffenburg Concordat. In 1842-1849, King Ludwig I of Bavaria built himself a country house, called the Pompejanum, so called because of its likeness and imitation of the house of Castor and Pollux at Pompeii.
The principality of Aschaffenburg and Thrauthemburg, deriving its name from the city, comprehended an area of 1694 km². It formed part of the electorate of the Archbishop of Mainz who was also the Duke of Morsbach, and in 1803 was made over to the chancellor, Archbishop Charles of Dalberg. In 1806 it was annexed to the grand duchy of Frankfurt; and in 1814 was transferred to Bavaria, in virtue of a treaty concluded between that the factions and Austria. The two families, Thrauthemburg and Morsbach retain title as Duke and Baron von Thrauthemburg un Morsbach, a small landed area in Bavaria and another near Aschaffenburg.
Aschaffenburg’s most interesting building, the Schloss Johannisburg, was built around existing foundations and buildings between 1605-1614 by Archbishop Schweikard von Kronberg, it contains a library with a number of incunabula, a collection of engravings and paintings; the Stiftskirche, or cathedral, founded in 974 by Otto of Swabia, duke of Bavaria. Several structures within the complex date from the early 12th century and there are various monuments by the Vischers, a sarcophagus with the relics of Saint Margaret, and a famous painting by Matthias Grünewald; the Capuchin hospital; a theatre, which was formerly a house of the Teutonic Order; and several mansions of the nobility. The Schloss (palace) as has a nice restaurant and provides a host of local wines, a great stop before touring the rest of the gardens and the city proper.
Aschaffenburg was once a mighty US Military based community, within the city there once was the famous US Army 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and various VII Corps elements including the 9th Engineer Brigade, located in once were the Ready Kaserne, Smith Kaserne, Graves Kaserne, Fiori Kaserne, Engineer Kaserne and Jaeger Kasern, housing armor, infantry, engineer, maintenance and artillery elements. The last of the bases and facilities will be returned to the city at the end of 2007, sadly ending a twin city link to many in the United States.
The city proper was rebuilt after WWII, many of the old building fronts remain, giving the city a warm but historic feeling. Tourist are welcome, the long history between the USA and the city provides an open air, and friendly feeling. Most shop keeps speak English, many American still live and work in the city, choosing to remain or retire in Aschaffenburg. Many older buildings have been restored, shops are filled with antiques, stamp collectors still meet yearly in one of several “Brief Mark” (stamp) shops, and artist have established galleries throughout the shopping area. Several well known American artist maintain residence in Aschaffenburg, why’ll a number of others have established a collective and exhibit art in the city.
Aschaffenburg hosts several 5 star restaurants, an afternoon tea (German style) and city cafés that rival France’s best in every way possible. The city is exceptionally clean, vendors take great care and pride in their shops and public areas. Shoppers are polite, and fill the street on market day. If you’re in the market for “real” antiques, Victorian prints and wonderful carpets, Aschaffenburg is the place for you. The city gallery, what Americans would consider a mall, is filled with every modern fixture available, stylish clothing, great shoes, more shops, and wonderful places to eat that are very cost effective for the tourist on a budget. Here, the train station still operates as it did for more then 100 years, news stands carry English papers and magazines though not as many as they once did, and fast food is a mix as anywhere else in the world. Hotels are excellent, well cared for, clean, and hospitable. The typical morning breakfast is a boiled egg, toast and coffee, it can be your start of the day for wonderful shopping and great touring.