Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Attractions
Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Town Hall.
Marktplatz und Rathaus
Market Square and Town Hall
The market square is the centre of Rothenburg ob der Tauber - as a meeting place for visitors from all over the world, as a stage for concerts, as a starting point for guided tours and as the setting for the Christmas "Reiterlesmarkt".
The monumental town hall occupies an entire long side of the market square, which is in stark contrast to the little houses in the narrow alleys of the old town and is more reminiscent of a castle. The impressive complex reflects the pride of the bourgeoisie in the former Free Imperial City, which was an important metropolis in the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation until the 30-year war. It combines a Gothic part with the town hall tower as well as the emperor's hall and a magnificent front in Renaissance style with late Baroque arcades. The town hall tower can be climbed over 220 steps on foot and offers a magnificent view over the city and the Tauber valley from the viewing platform at a height of 60 metres.
In addition, the market square is framed by stately buildings such as the Marienapotheke pharmacy, the Fleisch- und Tanzhaus, where Emperor Maximilian I stayed, and the Ratstrinkstube, where the Tourist Information Office is located today.
Marktplatz und Rathaus
Marktplatz
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Telefon +49 (0) 9861 404800
www.rothenburg-tourismus.de
Rothenburg ob der Tauber - "Master Draught" Clock at the Ratstrinkstube.
Meistertrunkuhr an der Ratstrinkstube
"Master's Drinking Clock" at the Council Drinking Parlour
The Meistertrunkuhr on the building of the Ratstrinkstube on the market square commemorates the event of 1631 when former mayor Nusch performed the "Meistertrunk" in the Thirty Years' War: at the instigation of General Tilly he is said to have drunk 3 ¼ litres of wine in one go to save the city. The artificial clock shows the legendary event always from 10 to 22 o'clock, on the hour.
The building now houses the Tourist Information Office of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Meistertrunkuhr an der Ratstrinkstube
Marktplatz 2
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Telefon +49 (0) 9861 404800
www.rothenburg-tourismus.de
Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Plönlein.
Plönlein
"Plönlein"
The Plönlein is the Rothenburg motif that was by far the most frequently captured in the picture and that went around the world. It became the epitome of a typical medieval European backdrop, became a model for artists and architects and can even be found in Walt Disney's classic Pinocchio, which was created in 1940.
The name "Plönlein" comes from the Latin "planum", which means "level square". The ensemble includes the half-timbered house with fountain, as well as the Siebersturm on the left and the Kobolzeller Tor on the right, both of which are part of the old city wall.
Plönlein
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Telefon +49 (0) 9861 404-800
www.rothenburg-tourismus.de
Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Castle Garden .
Burggarten
Castle Garden
The castle garden, laid out in the 19th century, extends as a green oasis at the end of the Herrngasse beyond the castle gate. Lookout spires offer a magnificent view of the Tauber valley and the city silhouette.
The name goes back to a Staufer castle, which stood here until the middle of the 14th century. One of 38 Staufer stelae erected throughout Europe commemorates the "Red Castle" built by the Staufer King Konrad III. At the Blasisus Chapel, the only preserved building of the former Staufer castle, a display panel describes the structure and function of the former castle complex.
Burggarten
Herrngasse
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Telefon +49 (0) 9861 404800
www.rothenburg-tourismus.de
Rothenburg ob der Tauber - City wall with towers.
Rothenburger Turmweg
Rothenburg Tower Trail
The image of Rothenburg's old town is characterised by an abundance of towers, along the town wall, at the six gates of the town, along the fortifications, the town hall tower and the towers of the churches. There are 46 towers in total. The four-kilometre-long tower trail circles the historic city centre on and along the city wall and tells the story of towers, city gates, landscape, views and city history on 22 panels. A brochure on the tower trail is also available at the tourist information office.
Rothenburger Turmweg
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Telefon +49 (0) 9861 404-800
www.rothenburg-tourismus.de
Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Towers of Saint Jakob's Church.
Stadtkirche St. Jakob
St Jacob's Church
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is located on the Jacob's ways to Santiago de Compostela, so that every year more than 1000 pilgrims come to the Jacob's church. Inside, there are some special features to be discovered: one of the attractions is the impressive altar of the Holy Blood by Tilman Riemenschneider. The main altar, also known as the 12 messengers altar, was created by Friedrich Herlin and shows, among other things, the oldest representation of the Rothenburg market place. The Rieger organ is one of the largest in Bavaria and can be played on both sides, both towards the nave and the west choir. Throughout the year it can be heard in short, free organ concerts, during the Advent season in 30-minute concerts. Finally, the two towers of St. Jacob were built at different heights.
Daily at 11.00 and 14.30 o'clock free and public guided tours - without advance notice - are offered.
Stadtkirche St. Jakob
Klostergasse 15
91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
www.rothenburg-tourismus.de