Museums

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

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

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

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

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

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

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