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Germany
Travel Guide
Rothenburg
ob der Tauber is a town on the Romantic Road in Bavaria, Germany, about
halfway in between Frankfurt and Munich.
It is
known for its medieval Altstadt, seemingly untouched by the passage of
time, encircled by the undamaged 14th-century town wall. In the Middle
Ages, Rothenburg ob der Tauber was a free imperial city, reaching its
apex of prosperity under Burgermeister Heinrich Toppler in the 15th
century with a large population of 6,000 -- much larger than Frankfurt
and Munich at that time. Now Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a small town and
a big tourist attraction.
 Attractions and
things to do:
- The Market Square (Marktplatz) is the center of urban life in Rothenburg o.d.T.
The Square is framed on the west by the Town Hall (Rathaus), on the
north by the City Councillors' Tavern (Ratstrinkstube) with its
Tourist Information center, on the east by shops and cafes, and on
the south by St. George's Fountain.
- The 165 ft. 13th century Town Hall Tower
(Rathausturm) at the center of the Altstadt offers the best view
of the area; cost €1 and 241 steps up. The Tower does not have a
foundation of its own; it rests on top of the gable of the Gothic
building. The front part of the Town Hall, a Renaissance building,
was built in the 16th century. The Town Hall (Rathaus) is free.
- The Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum
(Kriminalmuseum), just south of Market Square, is full of
examples of torture equipment and is not for the faint hearted.
- The Plonlein (Little Square), a few blocks
south of the Market Square, offers a charming medieval sight.
Standing at the right point, you can see two towers: on the left,
more or less straight ahead, is the Siebers Tower (Siebersturm)
dating from 1385; and down on the right, from the Tauber valley, is
the Kobolzell Gate (Kobolzeller Tor) dating from 1360. These two
access roads form a small triangular square, which is Plonlein. The
Plonlein is often referred to as one of the most photographed spots
in Germany.
- The Town Wall encircles the city, giving
the Altstadt the shape of a head, with the nose -- the Castle Garden
-- pointing left (west). The existing Town Wall was built in the
14th century, was partially damaged in World War II, and restored
through gifts from donors throughout the world (see plaques on the
wall). The Wall is about 1.5 miles long, covered, with several
towers and entrances at the gates. One of the easiest access to get
up to the sentry wall is just south of Siebers Tower (Siebersturm).
The Wall is free and offers a good vantage point to see the town.
- St. Jakobskirche (Church of St. Jacob), Klostergasse 15, north of the Market Square,
contains a masterpiece by the famous Würzburg sculptor Tilman
Riemenschneider (ca. 1460-1531).
- Two walking tours are offered. Both tours are in
English, cost €6, and leave from Market Square. The tourist office
tours are 90 minutes and run April-Oct and Dec daily at 14:00. The
60-minute Night Watchman's tour runs nightly mid-March-Dec at 20:00.
- The Do it Yourself Town Wall tour. The best
stretch of the Wall to walk is from the massive 16th-century
Spitaltor (go through the Siebersturm to the southern tip of the
Spitalgasse) to the Klingentor, completed around 1400, at the
northern tip of the Wall. This takes about a half-hour if you don't
stop. Offers excellent views and photographic opportunities.
- Rent a bike at Rad und Tat,
Bensenstrasse 17 (tel. 09861/87984).
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