Worms (pronounced more like Vohrms in German), is a town of around 86,000 people on the banks of the Rhine River. While it is now quite industrial, with some fame for its wine, its real claim on our attention is its age. Worms was settled by the Celts and is locked in a 3-way battle with the cities of Cologne and Trier for the title of Oldest City in Germany. It is Germany's only member of the Oldest European Towns Network.
Another claim to fame is that is was the place Martin Luther made his stand against the Catholic Church in 1521 and the Protestant movement was born. Today it is a center for the chemical and metals industry, but despite this, the river is clean enough for swimming and there are even reputed to be salmon. There is also a Romanesque cathedral worth a visit.
Worms is easily reached by boat, car or train from Frankfurt.
