Rothenburg ob der Tauber: attractions and location on the map of Germany

Today Rothenburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Bavaria (Germany). It is located high above the Tauber River valley. The name of the city of Rothenburg comes from the confluence of two German words rot ("red") and burg ("fortress") and is literally translated as "red fortress". There is no red fortress in this area, but the roofs of all houses in the city of this color, probably, because of this, he was named in this way. The location above the valley of the Tauber River added a piece of ob der Tauber to the name, and today its full name is Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Fairytale City

The city of Rothenburg-on-Tauber is more than a thousand years old, but it managed to preserve its primordial nature. A trip to this ancient town will be a time travel for you. The full preservation of the medieval appearance is the main thing that attracts thousands of travelers from all over the world. This can be judged from the stories of tourists who visited Rothenburg-on-Tauber. Reviews and impressions of the beauty of these places are equally enthusiastic. Everyone unanimously insists that such a feeling of a fairy tale has never occurred anywhere else in the world.

History of the city

The first mention of the place Rothenburg - the residence of the dukes of Franconia - dates back to 804 year. The status of the city he received in 942 year. Until 1108 he was a member of the counts of Rothenburg-Cumberland, and after the death of the last representative of this kind, he passed by will to the Conburg Monastery. However, eight years later Henry V gave Rothenburg-on-Tauber to the Duke of Schwab, his nephew from the Hohenstaufen dynasty. Since then a new era has begun in the development of this city: fortress walls and other fortifications are being built, new houses of three and four floors, squares, pavements, etc. are emerging. Most of them, thanks to the concerns of owners and local residents, Days.

"Master sip" saved Rothenburg from ruin

In the seventies of the 13th century, Rothenburg-on-Tauber became a free imperial city, expanding and extending beyond the fortification walls. There is a need for the construction of new protective structures. By the beginning of the 14th century Rothenburg is considered one of the 20 largest cities of the Holy Roman Empire. By that time, its population was about 6,000 people, who mostly professed Protestantism. It was because of faith that the city was drawn into a 30-year war between Catholics and Protestants, during which it suffered greatly. According to the legend, from ruin Rothenburg was saved by the mayor George Nush, who fulfilled the condition of the invaders - drank 3.5 liters of wine in one gulp. The history of the "master's mouthful" of the burgomaster is recorded in the chronicle of the city. In memory of this event, local residents annually organize festivities, which begin with a theatrical performance called "The Magic Drink".

Decline and Revival

After the war (1648), the city had to pay an indemnity. As a result, his economy suffered heavy losses, he lost his former independence and moved to the lands of Bavaria. However, by the beginning of the 19th century, when the railway was laid to the city, it again began to revive due to tourism. The beauty of a small provincial town Rothenburg-on-Tauber (photo can be seen in the article) and its fabulous atmosphere attracted artists, musicians, writers and poets. Entire crowds of tourists sought to visit places sung by famous poets, personally see the beauty, depicted on the canvases of talented artists, etc. The wise city authorities understood that luck and prosperity depend on the preservation of the medieval appearance, and decided to abandon the modernization.

Another rescue of the city

During the Second World War, the city was again in danger. Some buildings were destroyed by air shells. But, like 300 years ago, the city was saved from total destruction, this time thanks to the American General John McCloy, who was subsequently granted the honorary title of "The Noble Defender of Rothenburg."

How can I get there?

This beautiful town, part of the federal state of Bavaria, is in the center of the "Romantic Road of Germany" - the most popular of the tourist routes in Germany. It stretches from Main to Alpine peaks. On all the way there are ancient castles, cozy and well-preserved cities with medieval architecture, etc. However, many tourists wish to visit Rothenburg-on-Tauber. How to get from Munich (the capital of Bavaria) to this town? The distance between them is 204 km. If desired, you can make a trip by car or bus. However, as already noted above, a railway is laid to the city, hence from Munich you can come here by train.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber: attractions and museums

Rothenburg is a kind of open-air museum. Its uniqueness lies in preserving its integrity as a medieval city. There is not a single modern building here. The town hall (building of 1419), the market square, the central Gothic cathedral of St. Jacob (1311), narrow streets, brightly painted houses with balconies decorated with flowers, and windows - carved shutters and lace curtains, winding fortress walls along the perimeter Cities, well-groomed fields and meadows behind them - such a beautiful Rothenburg-on-Tauber.

One of the main attractions of Rothenburg is the unique Museum of Christmas ornaments, and in the chambers of the Benedictine Convent there is the Local Lore Museum, the main exhibition of which is an exhibition of armor and weapons. In the southern part of the fortress in the park Burggarten there is an ancient chapel of St. Vlasia. Along the fortress walls, you can also find many interesting buildings, and from the walls - look at the beautiful panorama of the surrounding area and the Tauber Valley. The atmosphere of the Middle Ages is created most of all by the cozy Plöllein square. However, here every centimeter is soaked with antiquity. Walking along the streets of the city, you involuntarily plunge into the Middle Ages, and at some knock, you stop waiting to meet because of the turn of knights in armor, on horseback or women in old costumes and a veil on your face.