Bachle in the city of Freiburg.

They also functioned as rainwater gutter carrying all the dirt from the streets.

In a letter to the Dutch politician, Gaspar Schetz, Erasmus wrote:

Here there is great uncleanliness.

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Through all the streets running an artificially-run brook.

With this water the sheets are washed, cleaned the wine glasses, even the cooking pots.

Water streams flowing through cities were more common in the early days.

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Many German towns and cities, aside from Freiburg, have watercourses although Freiburgs Bachle are the most famous.

Photo credit: MyImages Micha/Shutterstock.com

Photo credit:Michael/Flickr

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