Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Overnight stop Official Website: http://www.tourismus.rothenburg.de/index.php?id=490 Spending a day in Old Town Rothenburg is like stepping 400 years into the past. This time capsule of a village is packed with colorful half-timber homes, old world sights, cobblestone lanes, and surrounded by a Medieval City Wall. The sure beauty of Old Town is Rothenburg’s main attraction. When you mix in the Night Watchman tour, Christmas village and great shopping you have the makings for an unbelievable visit. We highly suggest spending at least one night in Rothenburg as it feels truly magical in the evening after the tour buses have left. Our self-guided walking tour starts covers all the must see attractions with plenty of opportunities to get away from the mid-day crowds. Rothenburg is definitely a place to take your time, relax, and enjoy. General Info: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/germanys-fairytale-dream-town- rothenburg https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Germany/Bavaria/Rothenburg_ob_der_Tauber- 23630/Tourist_Traps-Rothenburg_ob_der_Tauber-TG-C-1.html http://independenttravelcats.com/2013/11/29/guide-rothenburg-ob-der-tauber-planning- perfect-day-rothenburg-germany/ Walking Tour: http://www.bigboytravel.com/germany/rothenburg/free-walking-tour/ See • The Market Square (Marktplatz) is the center of urban life in Rothenburg. The square is framed on the west by the Town Hall (Rathaus), on the north by the Councillors' Tavern (Ratstrinkstube) with its tourist information center, on the east by shops and cafés, and on the south by St. George's Fountain. • The 50 m (165 ft) 13th century Town Hall Tower (Rathausturm) at the center of the Altstadt offers the best view of the area. It costs €2 (per adult) and takes 241 steps to get 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. It is free of charge to enter the Town Hall (Rathaus). • 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 Plönlein, 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 Plönlein. The Plönlein 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 west. The existing town wall was built in the 14th century, was partially damaged in World War II, and restored through gifts from donors from around the world (see plaques on the wall). The Wall is about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) long and covered, with several towers and entrances at the gates. One of the easiest points of access to get up to the sentry wall is just south of Siebers Tower (Siebersturm). The entry 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). Do • Two walking tours are offered. Both tours are in English, cost €6, and leave from Market Square. The tourist office tours are 90 min and run from April to October and December daily at 14:00. The 60 min 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. +49 9861 87984) Buy Chronos-Nostalgiebilder, Milchmarkt 4 (just by the Markus Tower), ☎ +49 9861 9189821. Funny Souvenirs. You can dress up in a Medival or Rococo Costume and pick up the Photo at once. edit • 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. +49 9861 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 can buy Christmas decorations during the whole year. edit Eat • If you plan to stay in Rothenburg for a few days, keep in mind that the restaurants cater to the daily bus tours. This means that you should try to get in to eat dinner by 20:00 - especially in the low season, because few places are open much later than 22:00. • 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. • Altfränkische Weinstube Am Klosterhof 7. On Wednesday nights at 20:00, the English Speakers' Club meets. All are welcome. Drink • Unter den Linden, at Kurze Steige 7B (tel. +49 9861 5909). A cafe-bar at the Tauber river. Located in A-1 on the map above. It is quite the hike down and up, but the beer is nice and cold. Walking Tour - 3.5 to 4 Miles total walking - 1.5 to 2 hours walking + stops (5 to 7 hours) https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hotel+Rappen+Rothenburg+ob+der+Tauber/Rothenburg+Tourismus+Service/St.+Wolfgangskirche/Reichsstadtmuseum/Tower+Trail+:+11+Scenic+View+Of +Countryside/Reiterlesmarkt/Tauber+Bridge/49.3768805,10.1839896/Alt- Rothenburger+Handwerkerhaus/Hotel+Rappen+Rothenburg+ob+der+Tauber/@49.3730185,10.1776624,16z/data=!4m73!4m72!1m5!1m1!1s0x47988fa47e6b2db3:0xd161e489ac24f00b!2m2 !1d10.1856727!2d49.379771!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0xb0689da57e57ecba!2m2!1d10.1790155!2d49.3774703!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0xd45341593783bd27!2m2!1d10.1763593!2d49.3806004!1m5!1m1! 1s0x0:0x2f762454bfba8d1e!2m2!1d10.1762152!2d49.3783609!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0xdacfec314adfaf48!2m2!1d10.1716893!2d49.3751884!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0x14eb75a94376f35c!2m2!1d10.179 2751!2d49.3768724!1m15!1m1!1s0x0:0x239074f13fad6e6e!2m2!1d10.1763943!2d49.3727251!3m4!1m2!1d10.1811242!2d49.3704272!3s0x47988fae98b59b3f:0xb09d5dd6c802ca1e!3m4!1 m2!1d10.1790281!2d49.3723096!3s0x47988faed43c8c8d:0xe4d8d6f59cc62b56!1m0!1m10!1m1!1s0x0:0x2e819e46fbc46d27!2m2!1d10.1814101!2d49.3766035!3m4!1m2!1d10.183373!2d49 .3783578!3s0x47988fa443604b8d:0xfa8e6cbe24f7fbbe!1m5!1m1!1s0x47988fa47e6b2db3:0xd161e489ac24f00b!2m2!1d10.1856727!2d49.379771!3e2!4e1 Overview Rothenburg’s list of best sights 1. Galgentor (Gallows Gate) Entrance to the Old Town. Just behind the Würzburger Tor was the area where the town’s gallows stood until the beginning of the 19th century, giving the tower its name. Five towers were added to the fortifications around 1600. Because of its specific geographical position, the fortifications were most susceptible to attack here, at the highest point in the old town. This is precisely where the Generals Tilly and Turenne succeeded in breaching the towns defenses during the Thirty Years’ War, in 1631 and 1645 respectively. 2. White Tower Part of the 12th-century walls, the 900-year-old White Tower is attached to the pink, half-timbered building that was the town’s Jewish Community Center from 1390 to 1520. 3. Ratstrinkstube (Councillor's Tavern / Tourist Information) The former tavern was previously the exclusive preserve of the great and good of the Town Council. Now it welcomes all visitors to Rothenburg. Stop and absorb a little bit of Rothenburg’s venerable history: the clock on the facade of the building illustrates the legend from 1631 of the Der Meistertrunk, the Master Draught. The doors of the clock open every hour on the hour between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m and figures emerge from the astronomical clock and recreate the legend. At the behest of Count Tilly, Mayor Nusch drank 3 1/4 liters of Franconian wine in a single gulp, thus saving Rothenburg from destruction. Look up at the gable of the Ratstrinkstube and you will be amazed: as well as the large town clock dating back to 1683 and the date display, you will also see a sun dial from 1768 and the famous city coat of arms! 4. Marktplatz (Market Square) This is the pulsating heart of the town. This is where it all happens, from the weekly market to guided tours, the historic shepherd’s dance, the fireworks as part of the town festival or performances by the Ambassadors of Music. The steps of the Town Hall are also a popular place for locals and guests from all over the world to meet and stop for a rest. From here you can enjoy the view of the splendid patrician houses that frame the market square. Every hour on the hour between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. the clockwork figures on the clock above the Ratstrinkstube entertain the public with the key scene from the legend of the Master Draught. According to the story, former Mayor Nusch saved the town from destruction at the hands of the troops of Imperial General Tilly by winning a wager by drinking 3 1/4 liters of Franconian wine in October 1631.