Historic Buildings
Discover the story behind Rothenburg's historic buildings on a walk.
Here sin and virtue are close together
What? The famous Rothenburg master builder and stonemason Leonard Weidmann lived and worked here. In addition to his own house, he also built the hospital bastion and the Hegereiterhaus.
Quick fact: On the Renaissance facade, admire the seven virtues: goodness of heart, motherliness, gentleness, temperance, courage, justice and prudence - and also the seven vices: gluttony, betrayal, falsehood, avarice, unchastity, sloth and vanity.
Definitely do: The originals of the figures are in the RothenburgMuseum.
It looks like the Romans here
What? The bridge in Taubertal dates back to the 14th century and is similar in design to a Roman viaduct. From here you have a great view of the city silhouette. You can also combine a visit with a trip to the Rothenburg climbing forest.
Quick fact: The bridge leads over the Tauber, which rises about 20 kilometers from Wettringen.
Definitely do: On the Reichstadt festival, the torchlight parade of the historical groups begins here on Friday. On Saturdays, guests at this festival can best see the fireworks from the double bridge.
Rothenburg wedding planner Lisa Glogger from Dream days by Lisa Glogger: “The view of the old town, the rippling Tauber on the side and the unique architecture of the double bridge in Rothenburg ob der Tauber make the square the ideal place for a romantic Rothenburg motif.”
What? The meat and dance house offers a contrast to the slender patrician house of today's Marienapotheke, which is actually called Jagstheimerhaus because it was built in 1448 by the mayor of the same name. Coming from the market square, it offers the entrance to Herrngasse, where the properties of the once rich participating families are located.
Little fact: The Habsburg Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) once stayed in the Jagstheimerhaus.
Definitely do: Visit the exhibition rooms of the Rothenburger Künstlerbund e. V. in the Fleisch- und Tanzhaus.
Auferstanden aus ruinen
Where? From the Rödertor, within the old town wall, briefly follow the Röder Schütt alley south.
What? The building is a loving replica; it was completely destroyed in an air raid in 1945. Since 1951, it has once again radiated its old splendor with its delicate gable, pretty windows and colorful coat of arms.
Quick fact: The coat of arms with the crowned snake is a creation of the legendary Gerlach blacksmith Georg Gerlach himself
Definitely do: The Alt-Rothenburg Association dealt with the destruction of Rothenburg in World War II in a small exhibition in the nearby Röderturm.
Rothenburg wedding planner Lisa Glogger from Dream days by Lisa Glogger: “The Gerlachschmiede in Rothenburg ob der Tauber – definitely a symbolic place to make your plans for the future! You can find the blacksmith shop while walking along the city wall in the eastern part of the old town between Rödertor and the Spitalviertel.”
Rothenburg's iconic ensemble
Where? Coming from P1, simply follow Spitalgasse. If you start from the market square, simply stroll through Obere Schmiedgasse.
The address is no secret: it is Plönlein!What? A narrow half-timbered house with a small fountain in front of it, framed by the Kobolzeller Tor and the higher Siebersturm, lovingly renovated town houses on the right and left - what a charming ensemble!
Quick fact: The word Plönlein comes from the Latin word “planum”, which means “flat place”.
Definitely do: Watch the Disney classic “Pinocchio” from 1940 in advance. Because then a recognition effect occurs: the Plönlein serves as a model for one of the buildings shown.
Rothenburg's most famous landmark is also an excellent backdrop for special wedding pictures.
You can find more information about Plönlein here.
Rothenburg wedding planner Lisa Glogger from Dream days by Lisa Glogger: “Rothenburg’s most famous landmark is also an excellent backdrop for special wedding pictures.”
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.mApril to October
daily, 09:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m
13: 00 clock to 17: 00 clockto 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. "
Today our guest information
What? The councilors once met here for a drink after the meeting, and now guests from all over the world get their information here from the employees of the Rothenburg Tourism Service.
Quick fact: The city clock at the front dates from 1683, the sundial from 1768.
Definitely do: Between 10.00 a.m. and 22.00 p.m., the artificial clock on the facade with General Tilly and former mayor Nusch appears every hour on the hour.
Our contact point for youth groups
What? In times of war or when water levels were low, the grain mills in the Taubertal could not supply Rothenburg sufficiently. The massive Rossmühle was built in 1516 in order to be able to grind all of the city's grain in an emergency. Today the youth hostel is located here in the middle of Rothenburg's old town.
Quick fact: Up to 16 horses powered the grinder!
Definitely do: The Kalkturm is right next to the Rossmühle. From here there is a unique view of the city skyline with the Jacob's Church and the town hall tower.
- Röderturm
- 91541 Rothenburg
- Alt-Rothenburg Association e. v.
- info@alt-rothenburg.de
- https://www.alt-rothenburg.de
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
Where? From the P1 car park into Spitalgasse, Mühlacker, Sterngasse
What? The Spitalviertel is the part of Rothenburg's old town that was most recently surrounded by the city wall. The most modern part of the city fortifications can be found at the hospital gate. Although modern is relative here: the bastion was completed in 1546. The Hegereiterhaus is a real eye-catcher with its pointed tent roof and slim, round stair tower. The Reichsstadthalle (570 seats) offers a worthy setting for all kinds of events.
Quick fact: In Latin, the slogan Pax intrantibus, salus exeuntibus (“Peace to those who enter, hail to those who leave”) greets Rothenburg’s guests at the hospital gate. The makers of Tokyo Haneda Airport found this motto so consistent that they simply adapted the motto.
Definitely do: At city festivals, always make sure that the Stöberleinsbühne also appears in the program. This open-air stage in the Spitalviertel is particularly atmospheric.
Here you see black and yellow!
What? The magnificent property at Herrngasse 18, the city's boulevard, is the oldest, unchanged patrician house in Rothenburg. It was founded in the 12th century and has been owned by the von Staudt family since 1697.
Quick fact: Why do you keep seeing the colors yellow and black in Staudt-Hof? Because they are the colors of the House of Habsburg, which elevated the Staudt family to nobility in 1700.
What? Little moated castle built in 1388 partly as a residential building and partly as a defensive tower by the legendary Rothenburg mayor Heinrich Toppler.
Quick fact: The completely preserved building is decorated with furniture from the 16th to 19th centuries. Century furnished. It stands on private property in the Boas family's garden.
Definitely do: Ms. Boas offers short tours of castles: make an appointment in advance, stand at the entrance to the property and wait. Contact see above
You can find a short film by district resident Helmut Baer about the rise and fall of Toppler here.
- Wildbad Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- Taubertalweg 42, 91541 Rothenburg odTauber
- 09861 9770
- 09861 2605
- info@wildbad.de
- https://wildbad.de
Evangelical conference center KdöR
Whether it’s a congress, conference or seminar – the Wildbad offers an atmosphere that stimulates creativity, supports personal development and promotes human communication. Nine modernly equipped conference rooms are available - for intensive exchange in small groups up to a lecture with more than 300 people. The extraordinary ambience of the Wildbad is an exclusive setting for special events at the highest level. Our kitchen will be happy to spoil you so that your company anniversary or family celebration becomes an unforgettable experience. The gastronomy is certified organic.
The Wildbad offers a combination of conferences and overnight stays, as well as work and living options. In addition to the meeting rooms, the house offers its guests over 67 beautiful guest rooms on several floors.
What? The Wildbad Rothenburg awaits you in the building of an old spa hotel from the 19th century, built in the historicist style. You can also spend the night in what is now the Protestant Church's conference center.
Quick fact: In the villa building there are 3 guest rooms on 38 floors, all with shower and toilet, in the Kurhaus, directly on the Tauber, there are 3 guest rooms on 20 floors, all with shower and toilet.
Definitely do: There is a lot on offer culturally in Wildbad - from art exhibitions to afternoons with classical music to the electronic festival Sundowner.
Rothenburg wedding planner Lisa Glogger from Dream days by Lisa Glogger: “The Wildbad Arcades are beautiful at any time of year and regardless of the weather to capture romantic wedding pictures - and you can also get married in the Evangelical Conference Center and the picturesque park.”