Day 01b Germany-Rothenburg

Our second stop of the day was Rothenburg, a short 80km drive from Wurzburg. Rothenberg is a well-preserved medieval town, the most impressive and authentic I have ever seen. It is enclosed by the fully intact medieval wall with her watch tower and gates. Vehicles are not allowed in most part of the town but there are ample parking facilities within walking distance from the town.

In 1142 King Konrad III build his castle at where the castle garden is today (photos 15 to 18). Though the castle was subsequently abandoned, the community around the castle grew and spread over the hill until it became one of the ten largest cities of the Holy Roman Empire around 1400. The city declined after the 30 years war (1618-1648), but it was a blessing in disguise as most of of the city was preserved.

We spent a whole afternoon walking in the town and felt like we have travelled in a time capsule back to a few centuries ago. A place not to be missed!!

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1. The Gallows Gate (Left) and Roder Gate (Right). As the name implies, the Gallows Gate was Rothenburg's execution ground

2 to 4. Views of the wall from the inside and outside. We took a walk from the Gallow Gate to the Roder Gate through the platforms where soldiers used to stationed on the wall.


5. The custom house just outside Roder Gate.
6. Typical houses in Rothenberg.
7. Roder Arch and Markus Tower.
8. The two most unique sight of Rothenburg - Plonlein and Siebers Tower (Left), Old Forge (Right). Aren't these houses quaint?
9. The center of Rothenburg. Markplatz with the Rathaus (Town Hall, right) and Rathstinkstube (City Councilors' Tavern). The Rathaus comprises of two buildings, the Gothic part with its tower was erected between 1250 and 1400. The front part, a Renaissance building, was built between 1572 and 1578.
10. North and East side of Markplatz.
11. The clock of City Councilors' Tavern. The building is now the Tourist Information Center. The windows of the clock opened every hour to show the lengendary "Meistertrunk" (Master Draught), who legend said had saved the city from destruction by drinking 3.25 litres of wine in one draught.
12 & 13. View of the Galgengasse, the street that runs from Gallows Gate.

14. Street scenes.

15 to 18. The Castle Tower and Castle Garden (Burggarten), a beautiful garden at the western edge of Rothenburg. This is the location of the Rothenburg Castle. The castle was destroyed in an earthquake in 1356 and the remains of the castle provided the materials to build the current defense wall of the city. From the garden there is a breathtaking view of Rothenburg (last photo).