Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Guide

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a town in the Ansbach (district) of Mittelfranken|Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia), the Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany, well known for its well-preserved Middle Ages|medieval old town. In the Middle Ages, it was an Imperial Free City. A significant fraction of Rothenburg is Auto-free zone|carfree.

The name "Rothenburg ob der Tauber" is actually a shortened version of "Rothenburg oberhalb der Tauber", which in German means "Rothenburg over the Tauber". This is so because the town is located on top of a mount overlooking the Tauber river. As to the name "Rothenburg", some say it comes from the German words Rot (Red) and Burg (burg, medieval fortified town), referring to the red colour of the roofs of the houses which overlook the river.

In the picture of the Town Hall Square, note that the building on the right has a series of six windows on its second story. There is a webcam located in one of these windows, with a 24-hour view of the square.

This building is the Ratstrinkstube, and also contains the a clock which re-enacts the historic meistertrunk daily. The meistertrunk commemorates the event in 1631 when the walled town was under siege from the Imperial forces of Count Tilly. On a lark, Count Tilly told the city that he would spare them if anyone could drink a tankard containing about six pints of wine in one draught. Mayor Nusch took the challenge successfully, and the city was saved. The clock re-enacts the event hourly from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.. Rothenburg celebrates this rescue each year on Whitsun with a festival performance, grand army march and a field camp.

To the left of the picture forming the west side of the Town Hall Square is the Rathaus or town hall. The rear Gothic part of the building dates from 1250, the attached front Renaissance building was started in 1572. This building has served as the seat of government for the city-state during the medieval ages, and the city of Rothenburg since the formation of the federalist government. The Town Hall Tower is open for ascent to view the city from high above.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the cities on the Romantische Strasse (Romantic Road) that has preserved vestiges of their medieval importance into the 21st century. A series of walls and towers defended the city over the ages, the most recent still stands and surrounds most of the older part of the city. Stairwells ascend to the top of the wall at intervals, and the entire wall can be walked. In addition, the Rodertor tower at the east end of the city is opened daily to allow a climb up stairs to the vista atop it.

During the waning days of World War II, the United States Army Air Corps bombed the city railway yards (of limited military value), which resulted in damage also to the historic old city walls. An exhibit with photos can be seen in the visitor room atop the Rodertor. After the war, the residents of the city quickly repaired the bombing damage.

While buildings within the walled city reflect its medieval history, this part of the city is in many ways a normal, modern German town with some concession to the tourist trade. In addition to many stores and hotels aimed at tourists, residences and shops also reflect the daily life of modern Germany. Most of the tourist shops cluster around the Town Hall Square and along several major thoroughfares (Herrngasse, Schmeidgasse). Also in the town is a torture mueseum, containing various punishment and torture devices as used during the Middle Ages.

Along the Tauber River below the west town walls and the castle gardens lies the original settlement of Detwang, dating from the year 960. Its St. Peter and Paul church was erected in 968 and is the only Romanesque church in the region.

Mayor of Rothenburg was Herbert Hachtel (SPD) from 1988 until March 2006,
he was followed by Walter Hartl (no party).

Trivia