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Plönlein a former marketplace, on the left side the Siebers-gate on the right the Kobolzeller-gate

Rothenburg ob der Tauber [1] 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.

[edit] Get in

• Rothenburg o.d.T. is popular with big bus tour groups, especially in the summer. Therefore, it is advised that you see the town in the morning or the evening when the bus crowds aren't there.
• If you are taking a train in, make sure you are buying a ticket to Rothenburg ob der Tauber; there are several other Rothenburg's in Germany. The train station is east of the town wall, about a 15 minute walk to the center Market Square (Marktplatz) of the Altstadt.

[edit] Get around

• Walking will get you from one end of town to the other in about 15 minutes.
• Driving is unnecessary and at times impossible; it is best to park the car and walk.

[edit][add listing] See

The Market square

Klingentor, one of the gates to the city

• 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 encircle 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).

[edit][add listing] Do

• 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 to October and December daily at 14:00. The 60-minute Night Watchman's tour runs nightly mid-March to December 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)

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Georg Schopf, Galgengasse 1-3. This shop sells both souvenirs from cuckoo clocks to drinking glasses and antiques such as paintings.  edit
• Kunstwerke Friese, Grüner Markt 7 (tel. 09861/7166). Cuckoo clocks, Hummel figurines, pewter beer steins, music boxes, dolls, and the usual suspects.
• Käthe Wohlfahrt, Herrngasse 1, [2]. A somewhat touristy shop in three floors underground where one buy Christmas decorations during the whole year.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

• zur Höll, Burggasse 8, [3]. Gasthaus in a 1100 year old building  edit
• Baumeisterhaus, Obere Schmiedgasse 3, just south of Marktplatz, housed in a Renaissance styled residence built in 1596 by the Master Builder. Main courses 12€-22€.

• Louvre, Klingengasse 15. Main courses 25€-28€; fixed-price menu 49€-85€.

• Ratsstube, Marktplatz 6. A true tavern atmosphere. Main courses 10€-15€.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Unter den Linden, at Kurze Steige 7B (tel. 09861/5909). A cafe-bar on the River Tauber.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Gasthof Goldener Greifen, Obere Schmiedgasse 5, just south of Marktplatz. Former home of Burgermeister Toppler (~1406).
• Pension Gundel 7 km south of Rothenburg in the village of Lohr. [[4]]
• Hotel Gotisches Haus, Herrngasse 13, ☎ +49 9861 2020 (fax: +49 9861 1317), [5]. Situated right behind the Market Square and the Christmas shops  edit

[edit] Get out

• Nuremberg has a delightful castle, old town, and the nazi parade grounds
• Wurzburg is a university town with an impressive palace