We decided to take a “Sunday” drive and visit Esslingen am Neckar as it is about a 20 minute drive from our home. Esslingen is a charming mediaeval town located on the Neckar River.

Like many of the German towns and villages we have visited, there is an ascetic mix of the old world charm and the modern world. From some of my reading regarding Esslingen, it is said this town was first mentioned in records as far back as the year 777.

We walked around the old town centre and marketplatz and were treated to views of beautiful buildings, homes, and of course, the ever present churches. Above are just a few of those sites. (The photograph in the upper left is the remenants of an old castle burg which defended the town and areas immediately surrounding the town. You can hike up to this area and view the town and area from the ramparts or one of the rounded turrets.) You will also notice the many vineyards on the hillsides surrounding the town.

Since Esslingen is on the river Neckar, you will see from the two center photographs, the canals that are located within the town. When we visited, we noticed a couple sitting in their yard reading what appeared to be their Sunday paper. Their home/yard is located where the canal splits, thus affording them one of the best sites/views [in my opinion] of the town!) Lucky them!