Together with Göttingen and Limburg an der Lahn, Esslingen is the city with the oldest half-timbered houses in Germany.On top of that, there are more than 200 in all, infusing the old town with romance and wonder and demonstrating all phases in the evolution of Alemmanic house-building.The oldest house of all is at Heugasse 3 and dates to 1262-63. Webergasse also deserves a mention for its houses from 1267 at 6 and 8, while the oldest complete row of half-timbered houses in the country can be found at Hafenmarkt.And if you’re curious about why no houses are older than the 13th century; well until that time the timbers would be buried straight into the ground, where they would rot after 30 years or so.After the 13th century the frames were built onto stone bases, which helped to preserve them.