Rothenburg ob der Tauber Tourist Attractions

In the Marktplatz of Rothenburg ob der Tauber stands the imposing Town Hall (Rathaus), one of the finest in South Germany. On Herrngasse is the Gothic part of the building (13th C.), with a 50m/165ft high tower (16th C.; view); the market front is Renaissance (1572-78), with the fine Imperial Hall (dramatic performances, concerts). On the north side of the square is the former Ratstrinkstube (Council Tavern, 1466); clock with mechanical figures representing the "master draught" with which Burgomaster Nusch saved the town from plundering by Imperial forces in 1621 (daily at 11 a.m., noon and 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10 p.m.).

At the near end of Herrngasse (Gothic and Renaissance patrician houses) in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, can be seen the town's most beautiful fountain, the Herterich- or St-Georgs-Brunnen (1608). Farther along the street is the Early Gothic Franciscan Church (fine grave-slabs). The Herrngasse ends at the Burgtor, beside which is the Figurentheater.

At the Burgtor in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the entrance to the Burggarten, laid out on the site of a Hohenstaufen castle which was destroyed in an earthquake in 1356 (fine view).

North of the Town Hall of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is St James's Church (St Jakob; 1373-1436). In structure and general effect the high altar (1466) is one of the finest in Germany. In the west choir is the Altar of the Holy Blood (by Tilman Riemenschneider, 1501-04).

Northwest of the church in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, in a former Dominican nunnery, is the Imperial City Museum (Reichsstadtmuseum).

From the Marktplatz in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the Schmiedgasse runs south. At the near end, on left (No. 3), is the Baumeisterhaus (1596) and next door (No. 5) the old Gasthaus zum Greifen (Griffin Inn), once the residence of Burgomaster Heinrich Toppler (d. 1408). Farther along, on right, is St John's Church (St Johannis; 1393-1403).

At the end of the Untere Schmiedgasse in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, at a street intersection, is the Plönlein, one of the most picturesque spots in the town.

A passage under the Siebersturm leads into Spitalgasse in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which runs past the Early Gothic Spitalkirche (on right) and the Spital (1574-78). In the picturesque Spitalhof is the Hegereiterhäuschen (1591) and at the end of the street the massive 16th C. Spitaltor.

There is an interesting and attractive walk (which takes about half an hour) round the town walls of Rothenburg ob der Tauber on the wall-walk, from the Spitaltor by way of the Rödertor (view) to the Klingentor and St Wolfgang's Church (1473-92).

It is Christmas all year round at Christmas Village. This magical village in Rothenburg is lit with 80,000 candles and has 4 kms of Christmas decorations to explore.