Franziskanerkirche
What? The church of the Franciscan mendicant order was consecrated in 1309 and is now Protestant. Inside you will find gravestones with the names of the Rothenburg patrician families who once lived in the nearby Herrngasse.
Quick fact: There is still an original wooden rood screen in the Franciscan Church - such a rood screen once separated the laity from the monks in churches.
Don't miss: Next to the Franciscan Church, there is an information board about Pope Francis in the Montessori Garden. The Argentinian learned German in the 80s in Rothenburg at what was then the Goethe Institute next to the church.
Opening hours:
Daily 14 p.m. to 16 p.m
Closed January to March
Contact:
Parish of St. Jacob
Klostergasse 15, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Phone: +09861 700620 XNUMX
www.rothenburgtauber-evangelisch.de
pfarramt.stjakob.rothenburg@elkb.de
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H

Holy Spirit Church
What? The Protestant Holy Spirit Church is located in the hospital district of Rothenburg. The hospital was built around 1280 from a foundation and was previously located outside the narrow city wall. The sick and poor were cared for in the hospital, and travelers who arrived after the southern city gate was closed were able to stay overnight.
Quick fact: In 1308 the altar was consecrated by the Eichstadt Cistercian Bishop Philipp.
Definitely do: The art-historical special feature is the sacrament house from 1390. The naked Christ child floats on a rainbow from the heavenly to the earthly world. Below is the Annunciation scene, depicting Mary with the angel Gabriel.
Opening hours:
daily 9.00 a.m. to 17.00 p.m
in summer until 18.00 p.m
Subject to change
Contact:
Holy Spirit Parish
Spitalgasse 46, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Phone: +09861 3466 XNUMX
www.zum- Heiligen-geist.de
pfarramt.heil-geist.rot@elkb.de
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K

Kobolzell Church
In the landscape garden on the Tauber
What? The small church on the Tauber, at the foot of the city, was built between 1472 and 1505. It was looted during the Peasants' War in 1525 and then only poorly preserved without use. In 1804 it was sold and desecrated.
Quick fact: From 1854 to 1860, St. Mary's Church was restored by Alexander Heideloff and made available to the Catholic community.
Definitely do: A short walk (about 10 minutes) from the city wall at the Medieval Crime Museum through Rothenburg's vineyard and you are at the church, idyllically located on the Tauber.
Exterior viewing possible at any time. Interior tour from mid-May to early October: every Sunday from 13.30:16.00 p.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
Contact:
Parish office in Rothenburg
Burggasse 20
91541 Rothenburg
Phone: +09861 5011 XNUMX
www.st-johannis-rothenburg.de
st-johannis.rothenburg@erzbistum-bamberg.de
RTS, Bichler
RTS, Bichler
RTS, Schöbel
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S

St. Jacob
Looking for the Holy Blood Altar
What? St. Jacob's Church was completed in 1485 after 173 years of construction. Initially Catholic, it later became a Protestant church and is still the main church in Rothenburg today. As an alternative to the classic visitor tour, you can get to know St. Jacob's Church via an audio guide. Particular highlights are the organ concerts that take place here throughout the year.
Quick fact: A statue of St. Jacob greets you in front of the church. Around 1000 pilgrims visit guest pastor Oliver Gußmann every year.
Don't miss: There are TWO altars in the Church of St. Jacob. The Twelve Messengers Altar by Friedrich Herlin is the first place many visitors head for. The oldest representation of the Rothenburg market square can be found on the main altar in the east choir of St. Jakob. The second altar in the west wing of the church is also a gem. The entire skill of the Würzburg artist Tilman Riemenschneider can be seen in the Holy Blood Altar.
Opening hours:
from January 8th to March 22nd: from 11.00 a.m. to 14.00 p.m
then daily again (until the autumn holidays): 10.00:18.00 a.m. – XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
Guides:
From March 24th daily at 11.00:14.30 a.m. - 10.30:XNUMX p.m. (on Sundays and public holidays immediately after the service, i.e. around XNUMX:XNUMX a.m.)
From January 08th to March 23th the tour takes place on Saturday and Sunday at 14.30:XNUMX p.m.
Contact:
Parish of St. Jacob
Klostergasse 15, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Phone: +09861 700620 XNUMX
www.rothenburgtauber-evangelisch.de
pfarramt.stjakob.rothenburg@elkb.de
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St. John's
Rothenburg's Catholic Church
What? The St. John's Church originally emerged from the branch of the Order of St. John around 1200. Around 1400 the church was redesigned in the late Gothic style.
Quick fact: From 1600 onwards, the attic of St. John's Church was converted into the largest municipal granary.
Definitely do: Behind the St. John's Church you will find one of the most beautiful views. In the street An der Eich, the view from a pulpit leads over the vineyard towards Taubertal and Burggarten.
Opening hours:
The St. Johannis Church in Burggasse is always open and can be visited, including to pause and pray.
Contact:
Parish office in Rothenburg
Burggasse 20
91541 Rothenburg
Phone: +09861 5011 XNUMX
www.st-johannis-rothenburg.de
St. John’s Ro…
RTS, Pfitzinger
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St. Peter and Paul's Church
Short walk to Detwang
What? Set off and hike through the countryside to beautiful Detwang in the Taubertal! After about a twenty-minute walk from the Rothenburg Castle Garden, you will reach the St. Peter and Paul Church with its Gothic arcades.
Quick fact: This is probably the origin of Rothenburg. Detwang was first mentioned in documents in 960. The church is over 1000 years old.
Definitely do: Visit the Holy Cross Altar, attributed to Tilman Riemenschneider and his workshop.
Opening hours:
on request
Church service (Protestant): Sundays at 9 a.m., followed by a free guided tour (in summer, subject to change)
Contact:
Detwang parish
Klostergasse 15, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Phone: +09861 700620 XNUMX
www.rothenburg-evangelisch.de
pfarramt.stjakob.rothenburg@elkb.de

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W

Wolfgang's Church
Defensive on the outside, spiritual on the inside
What? St. Wolfgang is integrated into the defenses of the city wall at the Klingentor, defiant and equipped with loopholes. In the main nave, however, there is artistic, late Gothic tracery next to three altars from around 1500. St. Wolfgang himself was also built around this time, exactly on the spot where the shepherds had been seeking protection for their flocks from St. Wolfgang for years.
Little fact: St. Wolfgang is home to the Historical Shepherd Dance Association, which has an exhibition here that provides information about the importance of sheep farming and the wool trade in medieval Rothenburg.
Definitely do: Up and down - you can get a first-hand impression of the defenses both in the casemates and on the city wall in the Wolfgangskirche.
Opening hours:
See document with opening hours 2024
Contact:
Historical shepherd dance
Klingentorbastei, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Phone: +0171 3662391 XNUMX
www.schaefertanzrothenburg.de
u.bach@gmx.net
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Opening times museums in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

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Old Rothenburg craftsman's house
This is how people once lived in the Middle Ages
What? As if conjured up from the Middle Ages, the little house stands in the middle of Rothenburg's old town. The historical monument from 1270 housed a wide variety of craftsmen over the centuries and was hardly changed by a hermit afterwards.
Little fact: Fortunately, a hermit lived in the house at exactly the time when other very interesting medieval houses were being modernized “on the inside” and adapted to the changing demands of life. That's why no other house in Rothenburg has as much historical building structure as this one. Here at Alten Stadtgraben 26, the “modern” era passed without a trace.
Definitely do: A visit to the craftsman's house as part of the Walburga tour, which starts from the market square in high season, is particularly entertaining.

Opening hours:
Easter to October 31st: weekdays 11.00 a.m. to 17.00 p.m
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 10.00 a.m. - 17.00 p.m
December: daily 14.00:16.00 p.m. - XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
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German Christmas Museum
Where Santa Claus and Nutcracker are at home
What? You can search for traces of Christmas above Käthe Wohlfahrt's legendary Christmas village and refresh memories of your own celebration. Why do we put up a Christmas tree at Christmas? And how was the tree decorated in the past?
Quick fact: Part of the exhibition is about the evolution of the character of Santa Claus: Did you know that he was not always portrayed as the friendly, older man in the red coat that he is now known as around the world?
Definitely do: An extraordinary collection of nutcrackers, Christmas tree stands and historical Advent calendars await guests.

Opening hours:
The German Christmas Museum is open all year round. However, we recommend that visitors inform themselves about any changes shortly before their visit.
Limited opening hours apply in the low season from mid-January to March.
Information about opening times can be found at: www.weihnachtsmuseum.de
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Graphics Museum in the Dürer House
Etchings – collected by the artist
What? The graphic collection combines etchings from the 16th century by Dürer and van Leyden, Rembrandt, Goya, Munch and Renoir, with those by contemporary artists such as Hrdlicka, Janssen, Göttlicher, Richter, Fuchs, Kneffe. You can also try your hand at a printing workshop.
Quick fact: Ingo Domdey is an artist himself; he acquired many of his etchings in stock by exchanging his own works.
Definitely do: At Ingo Domdey you can also become active yourself: a printing workshop allows you to try out the etching technique yourself.

Opening hours:
daily from 14.00 a.m. to 20.00 p.m
Closed Monday and Tuesday
And by appointment by telephone
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History Vault – Historical Festival 1631 The Master Drink
The home of the Historical Festival
What? The 30 Years' War represents a turning point for Rothenburg ob der Tauber. In the historical dungeon of the historical festival “Der Meistertrunk” e. V., visitors can examine weapons and uniforms from that era.
Quick fact: The cells in the basement dungeon are scary. The once rich and powerful mayor Heinrich Toppler also died here. The exact circumstances – was he even poisoned? – are, however, not historically proven.
Definitely do: Are you interested in the period of the 30 Years' War? Then book the special tour on the topic, which also allows a brief insight into the historical dungeon.

Opening hours
January: closed
February: every weekend from 11.00 a.m. to 16.00 p.m
March: daily 10.00 a.m. to 17.00 p.m
from April: daily from 10.00 a.m. to 17.00 p.m
Subject to change: Current opening times can be found on the notice board in front of the museum or below www.meistertrunk.de/museum
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Medieval Crime Museum
Iron Maiden: no torture!
What? Using torture tools, shame masks and executioner's tools, visitors can understand the development of jurisprudence in the Middle Ages. The main exhibits include the Iron Maiden and a high-quality replica of the imperial regalia from the Holy Roman Empire. This year the museum is celebrating its 100th anniversary. In a special exhibition to mark the anniversary year, a deeper insight into the topic of “Animals in Legal History” will be provided.
Quick fact: The Iron Maiden plays a major role in the crime museum. The exhibition clears up one idea: unlike Bram Stoker's literary depiction, it was not used as an instrument of torture or murder, but was subject to honorary punishments. The dangerous nails were added later.
Don't miss: The giant test in the vault. There is a stone door frame here. Anyone who had to keep their head down was considered a giant - which meant that their chances with the women's world were greater than usual.

Opening hours:
January 8th to March daily 13.00:16.00 p.m. - XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
April to October daily 10.00 a.m. to 18.00 p.m
November 13.00:16.00 p.m. - XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
December 2024 to January 5, 2025 daily 11.00 a.m. to 16.00 p.m
Last entry is always 45 minutes before closing time.
Special opening times:
December 24.12.2024th, 10 (Christmas Eve): 00:13 a.m. – 00:XNUMX p.m
December 31.12.2024, 10 (New Year's Eve): 00:13 a.m. - 00:XNUMX p.m

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RothenburgMuseum
Rothenburg's treasury
What? Since 1936, the museum has been located in the former Dominican convent, which existed there from 1258 to 1554. Due to its impressive size and architecture, the former Dominican convent still forms the heart of the Rothenburg monastery courtyard. In 2019, the former Reich City Museum was renamed the RothenburgMuseum. The RothenburgMuseum shows the collections of the city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber from eight centuries on its more than 2.500 square meters. These include the collection of the internationally renowned Baumann Foundation, which tells the history of weapons in Europe from the Stone Age to the 19th century, the collections of the Alt-Rothenburg Association and many church and private loans. In the Judaica department, evidence of Jewish culture in Rothenburg is presented, and a picture gallery shows views of Rothenburg in works by British and German painters. The permanent exhibition is supplemented by regularly changing special shows, a diverse range of guided tours and cultural events, as well as regular participatory initiatives by Rothenburg artists and associations.
Quick fact: The well-preserved monastery kitchen from the 13th century provides an impressive insight into the everyday life of the former residents.
Don't miss: You can take a short break in the museum's picturesque cross courtyard or in the neighboring monastery garden.

OPENING HOURS:
January - March 22nd daily 14 p.m. - 17 p.m
from March 23rd to October daily 10 a.m. to 18 p.m
November-December daily 14 p.m. - 17 p.m
During the Christmas market every day from 10 a.m. to 16 p.m
December 24.12th and 31.12st closed
Subject to change
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Opening times accessible towers

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Town hall with town hall tower
Rothenburg look at the roofs
What? With its Renaissance facade, the town hall is THE eye-catcher on the market square. The western part has been preserved to this day; the eastern part fell victim to a fire in 1501. The arcade building in the Baroque style was built in 1681. The historical dungeon is located in the atrium.
Little fact: The visitor climbs 220 steps until he reaches the viewing platform of the town hall tower.
Definitely do: From the town hall tower, visitors have a unique view of Rothenburg's old town and the surrounding area.
Opening times town hall tower Rothenburg ob der Tauber:
January to March and from November:
Saturday and Sunday 12:15 a.m. – XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
April to October
daily, 09:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m
13: 00 clock to 17: 00 clock
to the Reiterlesmarkt:
daily 10.30:14 a.m. – 14.30 p.m. and 18:19 p.m. – XNUMX p.m. (Fri to Sun: until XNUMX p.m.)
Admission adults: 2,50 euros
Rothenburg wedding planner Lisa Glogger from Dream days by Lisa Glogger: “A spectacular wedding picture is definitely created on the town hall tower, including a panoramic view of the old town, the Tauber Valley and the far distance. The somewhat adventurous climb in your wedding dress is definitely worth it and the experience will remain unforgettable. You can find more information about the town hall tower here. "
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Röderturm
The Röderturm from the 14th century is the easternmost and only accessible tower in the city wall. It was an important registration post for the city for a long time. The associated bastion was built in the 16th century to strengthen it and was repeatedly expanded and rebuilt. Burned down to the walls at the end of the Second World War, reconstruction began shortly after the destruction, with significant support from the Alt-Rothenburg eV association. Anyone who arrives in the tower room after climbing 2 steps is greeted by a unique panorama. On the intermediate floors of the Röder Tower you can see an exhibition about the development of the city and its defenses.

Opening times Röderturm:
April, May, September, October: weekends, public holidays 11 a.m. – 14 p.m
June to August: daily 11 a.m. to 14 p.m
November to March: opening times depending on the weather, please find out in advance by calling + 49 (0)9861 9382800
November 1st is open from 11 a.m. to 14 p.m

Individual agreement possible
When the tower is open, the flags hang out of the window.
You can get up-to-date information here.

Admission adults: 2,50 euros
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