It proofed to be true that this place is an attraction in summer when Elizabeth was with me.
She went on her own little tour through Schmalkalden.
She loves to shop or just to look at things and I always get impatient. She made many pictures of what she saw and now she regrets that she did not buy cups with her favorite motive - cats. She only got a T-shirt with cats on it.
She was not afraid to talk to people who hardly understood any English. It was helpful that she lived for one year in German and was working for a nursing home with many German patients.
But she is still surprised that foreigners such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Est Indians and black people speak German and not English - unless they are also visitors.

I went on my own in the town hall where a small exhibition was dedicated to the Jewish citizens of Schmalkalden who suffered during the brutal Nazi regime.
I was surprised how many museums and official places in Thuringia are showing this dark chapter of German history. However, seeing what is going on today worldwide I have my doubts that everybody learned from this and human rights must be protected against all interests of political groups.

During my first trip to Schmalkalden was thinking to visit the "Wilhelmsburg", a Renaissance castle.
However, it was already late and I did not want to rush through the exhibitions. I also wanted to listen to the over 400 hundred year old organ and last not least I wanted to have sunshine to take some outdoor pictures of my own.
Unfortunately we had an appointment and missed this also in June 2005.