Travel tips: Rothenburg, Germany

The southern German Bavarian province hosts a few famous medieval cities that have ancient roots and were not destroyed in the war. The Romantic road countryside has sunny hilled vineyards for Francken wines, traditional German style house villages with castles atop hills and and beer gardens below. The romantic road route runs south from Frankfurt down past Munich and Nuremberg with a few  UNESCO heritage medieval Cities. This blog is about Rothenburg am den Tauber (river) of 11k people,  which was once a Roman settlement and became one of the Roman’s most important imperial cities. On the  Tauber river its timber houses, in German goth style and cobbled streets deliver the most pictureque sight with its its trade houses and city wall and port gates, sheltering it from attack built nearly 830 years ago.

The Americans knew that Rothenburg was important to Germany so after a few bombs on the east side, they offered not to send in ground artillery in return for surrender, which the Nazis did, despite strict instructions not to do so.  Damaged part were rebuilt in similar style but its Hansel and Gretel medieval village has remained much the same as it was when built in the 1200’s.  

I have visited many pretty villages and cities but for its size Rothenburg has to be the orettiest. So much to see in a small space. There are cute boutiques and souvenir shops with xmas decor and anything else in true German Heidi style. 

Bow and arrow defences gaps along the city walls 

Along the main square typical German decorative housing 

From the city walls walk around the perimeter

The picturesque square Plonplein hosts the St Jacob’s gothic cathedral and many medieval artisan workhouses. You can cruise on the Taubertal stream or cable car the hills. Or take in tea and traditional dough pastey fried with  icing sugar or chocolate on top.  Do walk the 2,5 km wall first though for higher views  its shady and well maintained, with plaques theoughout of all the sponsors towards this UNESCO heritage site  

Clock-house on main square with St Jacobs church - when it chimes the windows open with a surprise  

It is like this everywhere! Adorned in creative detail

Fountain on main Square 

So!! Do not miss Rothenburg!! Take the car from Frankfurt or Nuremburg, as it doesn't get quainter or more beautiful  than this.  

Bon voyage!!!