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Rothenburg ob der Tauber

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Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Germany)

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Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the quintessential example of a medieval German town and a world-famous destination on the Romantic Road. The city wall, with its numerous towers and gates, encloses a historical core that has remained virtually unchanged since the Thirty Years' War. A key moment in the town's history is the legend of the 'Meistertrunk' (Master Draught) in 1631, when the former mayor reportedly saved the town from destruction by draining a massive tankard of wine. The Plönlein, a pretty ensemble consisting of a crooked half-timbered house and two town towers, is considered one of Germany's most photographed motifs. In St. James's Church sits the famous Holy Blood Altar by Tilman Riemenschneider, a masterpiece of late Gothic woodcarving. Rothenburg is also renowned for its Christmas atmosphere, which can be experienced year-round at the German Christmas Museum. Despite damages during World War II, the Old Town was reconstructed authentically, preserving its status as a living open-air museum.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-104913182019151041
Rain mm554348407559736951535761

📋 Practical info

📍
Address
Marktplatz 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
🕒
Hours
24/7 (old town accessible); museums mostly 10:00-17:00
💶
Entry
free (city); Crime Museum 8.00 €
🌐
Website
rothenburg.de
🚌
Transit
Regional train to Rothenburg ob der Tauber station, then a 10-minute walk
🅿️
Parking
Large parking lots P1, P2, P3, P4 outside the city walls (approx. 5 €/day).
♿
Accessibility
Difficult due to continuous cobblestones; the accessible city wall is not barrier-free.
📷
Photos
Allowed; tripod use in public places is difficult during peak times.
⭐
Best time
Before 9:00 AM or after 6:00 PM, when the day-trip tourist buses are gone.
🎧
Audio guide
no ('Night Watchman' city tours are highly recommended)

History & landmarks

middle-ages

1200–1500

Geography

Coordinates
49.37800, 10.17930

Facts

  • Loss of Imperial Immediacy in 1802
  • The legend of the 'Meistertrunk' dates back to 1631
  • The city wall is approx. 4 kilometers long and walkable
  • The Crime Museum displays over 1,000 years of legal history
  • Partial destruction in March 1945 by a US air raid
  • The Riemenschneider altar in St. James's Church was created around 1500

Explore nearby

Notable places around

📍Rothenburg ob der Tauber<1 km · SExplore →
📍Schrozberg15 km · WExplore →
📍Uffenheim19 km · NExplore →
📍Leutershausen19 km · SEExplore →
📍Bad Windsheim22 km · NEExplore →
📍Weikersheim23 km · NWExplore →
📍Feuchtwangen26 km · SEExplore →
📍Crailsheim28 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Rothenburg ob der Tauber (10)

Grafikmuseum im Dürerhaus🏛 museum

Museum for print graphics in the former home of painter Albrecht Dürer.

🕒 We-Su 10:00-18:00💶

White Tower

City gate from the 12th century, part of the inner ring wall.

Marktplatz

Central square of the old town, lined with historic houses.

The Town Hall

Town hall of Rothenburg, with late Gothic and Renaissance facade.

🕒 Mo,Tu,Th 09:00-12:00, Tu 14:00-16:00, Th 14:00-18:00♿

St James' Church

Gothic church in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Middle Franconia.

Historiengewölbe und Staatsverlies🏛 museum

Museum in the historic vaults and dungeons of the city.

Rathausturm

Tower of the town hall, offering views over the rooftops.

Rothenburger Künstlerbund e.V.

Gallery of the local artists' association, with changing exhibitions.

German Christmas Museum🏛 museum

Museum in Rothenburg about the history of Christmas traditions.

Feuerleinserker

Medieval cellar or vault in the old town, open to visitors.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

When does the Night Watchman tour take place?
The English tour usually starts at 8:00 PM and the German one at 9:30 PM at the Market Square. Registration is generally not required for individuals.
Can you walk the entire city wall?
Yes, the Tower Trail covers about 4 km and goes almost entirely around the old town. The walkway is covered and provides great views.
Is the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village open year-round?
Yes, the famous Christmas Village and the German Christmas Museum on Herrngasse are open all year round.
Where is the most photographed house located?
The Plönlein, a narrow half-timbered house at a fork in the road with a fountain, is located in the southern part of the old town.
What is the 'Meistertrunk'?
A legend from the Thirty Years' War, where the former mayor saved the city by draining a 3.25-liter tankard of wine in one draught.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: where is it located?
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is located in Bavaria, Germany.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: what is there to see?
Highlights include Grafikmuseum im Dürerhaus, White Tower, Marktplatz.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: why is it worth visiting?
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the quintessential example of a medieval German town and a world-famous destination on the Romantic Road.
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