Day 1 in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Welcome to Rothenburg ob de
Tauber! Upon
arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Make your transfer to
your destination, arrive at your hotel, check and do not give in to jet lag!
There is so much for you to see and do.
Begin the afternoon by exploring the historic old town, with many remains
still intact, the charm of the city will make you feel as if you stepped back
in time - there`s a thousand years of history packed between its cobbles. Walk the 1.5 mile city walls
to get an idea of the town horizon and the medieval structures in the city, as
well as to explore the remaining guard towers. This walk also offers excellent
views and photographic opportunities.
Enjoy some lunch at one of the
restaurants within the walls. Rothenburg is in the Mittelfranken (Middle
Franconia) area of Bavaria, make sure to try the tasty Franconian fare and regional
specialties like Nürnberger Bratwürste or Fänkische Sauerbraten (prepared
without raisins and thickened with ginger bread, unlike the dish in other areas
of Germany).
After a pleasant lunch, walk around
town, enjoying the picture-perfect streets. If you prefer having a guided tour,
there are daily guided tours at 2 pm offered through the city.
Head over to the Rathaus (town hall), located
in the center of the old town, this is a beautiful example of renaissance architecture. The back of the
building is the oldest section from 1250 and displays a Gothic style and the
impressive façade was added in 1572. Climb the 200 foot tower to enjoy stunning
views of the town and Tauber river.
End your afternoon at the Käthe Wohlfahrt, this global brand has its headquarters here
(Herrngasse 1) with three floors underground of ornaments and décor. Visit the Christmas Museum which is
also housed here, providing a unique collection of tree decorations through the
ages including the first Advent calendars and antique Christmas cards.
As night falls, take a walk through
history with the Nightwatchman
Tour that leaves from market square. Discover all the wonderful
secrets of the city as you travel to key points in history. The tour is full of
fun and eerie stories as you learn of medieval life, street culture and
fascinating stories about the town of Rothenburg.
After a busy day of sightseeing, enjoy
a relaxing dinner before heading back to your hotel for a good night rest.
Day 2 in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Wake up early, grab a coffee or
breakfast at a cozy café, and prepare for a day of more sightseeing. Make your
first stop at Saint Jacobs
Church, an impressive protestant church that stands high above
the city offering beautifu architecture. The church contains a famous altar as
well as pictures of The Last Supper and other Biblical stories. The stained
glass windows are impressive and the church also has a connection with Galicia
in Spain, through the medieval route of pilgrimage called The Way of Saint
James.
Other churches that are
worth a peek if you are interested in old churches, are the 14th century Franciscan and
the 15th century Gothic St. Wolfgang`s Church. Rothenburg also has an
interesting (although not very positive) Jewish history and is actually
supposedly home to the only remaining Jewish late medieval street in Europe
(Judengasse). If you are interested in the Jewish history of Rothenberg, there
is a good Jewish exhibit at the Reichsstadt-Museum.
The two major museums in the city are
the Imperial City Museum
and the Crime Museum.
Make sure to pay a visit to either one, or both. The Imperial City Museum,
located in a former Dominican nunnery, offers insight into the city with
displays and artifacts of life in the convent, including a glimps at the
historic living quarters. The Medieval Criminal and Justice Museum covers the
many different forms of punishment over the last 1,000 years. Often brutal,
sometimes funny, this actually started as a private collection. Prepared to be
wowed (and horrified) by the 50,000 exhibits.
You might also want to visit the Craftsman`s House for a look at everyday medieval life for
craftsmen set in a house originally built in 1270.
In the warmer months, it is worth a
visit to the Old Castle Gardens. Laid out on the site of The Imperial Castle of Rosenburg that was
destroyed in an earthquake in 1356, the garden has a variety of flowers, well
preserved lawns and interesting sculptures.
End your afternoon with a walk around
the city walls for some beautiful views and enjoy the rest of your day
shopping, or enjoying a few glasses of Franconian wine! Try a schneeball, which
in English translates to snowball, for a sweet treat. It`s a typical sweet pastry of the region,
sugar coated friend dough.
Wind down
your day enjoying some tasty Franconian fare before heading back to your hotel
for a restful night sleep.
Additional Days in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Should you be able to spend additional
days in Rothenburg ob de Tauber, we suggest you take a hike or bike
ride of the areas surrounding Rothenburg. The city is surrounded by
numerous paths and trails for the outdoor enthusiast.
The Rothenburg Hiking Trails all offer varying distances and
difficulties to take you around the town, up to the Frankenhohe and into the
Tauber valley. There are 13 main hiking trails to choose
from, as well as numerous side trails, including the water management
educational trail in the Schand - tauber valley, at various
mills in the Tauber valley as well as on the rock and wine varity educational
trail at the Rothenburg vineyard.
If biking is more your thing, we
suggest a cycle along the
Romantic Road. There are a number of connected cycle paths away
from the busy main roads. A section from Rothenburg through to Norddlingen
covers the `big three` walled medieval towns. There are some beautiful scenic
options, with the Alps rising in the distance and the attractions of
Neuschwanstein castle in its mountain setting at the end of the journey.
The Romantic Road near Rothenburg is an enchanting and
sparsely populated area, beautiful to drive as well, that contains many
historical landmarks, including a palace with the best Baroque garden in
Germany. Further south at the foot of the Alps is where the region offers
impressive views of mountains and also sports activities like hiking, and
sailing, as well as luxury hotels.
Your Last Day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Depart your hotel for the airport or train station where you will head home or make your way to more European adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in Rothenburg, the old Bavarian Imperial City, on the banks of the River Tauber.