Exploring Rothenburg: Bavaria's Medieval Gem

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a town in the district of Ansbach in Mittelfranken, the Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany. It is one of the best-preserved walled towns in Germany, with a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. The town is known for its medieval architecture, including half-timbered buildings, cobblestone streets, and a well-preserved town wall. Rothenburg is a popular tourist destination, offering museums, historical sights, churches, and a vibrant food and wine scene.

Rothenburg's history as a free imperial city

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a town in the district of Ansbach in Middle Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, was a free imperial city from the late Middle Ages until 1803.

In 1274, King Rudolf of Habsburg granted Rothenburg privileges as a free imperial city. At the time, it was the second-largest city in Germany, with a population of 6,000 residents. As a free imperial city, Rothenburg enjoyed almost autonomous status, recognising only the emperor and empire as authorities.

Following this new status, the city expanded, with citizens and the Knights of the Hinterland building a Franciscan monastery and the Holy Ghost Hospital, which was later incorporated into the city walls. The German Order also began constructing St. James' Church, which the citizens started using in 1336. The Heilig Blut (Holy Blood) pilgrimage attracted many pilgrims to Rothenburg, which was one of the 20 largest cities of the Holy Roman Empire. The population within the city walls was around 5,500, with another 14,000 in the surrounding territory.

The Thirty Years' War (1631) saw Rothenburg, a Protestant city, come under siege by the Catholic Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly, and his 40,000 troops. The town defended itself but was quickly defeated, losing only 300 soldiers. A popular legend, called the Meistertrunk, states that the councilmen, who had been condemned to death, tried to sway Tilly and his troops with a large drink of 3.25 litres of wine. The mayor at the time, Georg Nusch, succeeded in drinking it all in one go, and Tilly kept his word, sparing the city.

After the war, Rothenburg was left poor and nearly empty, and its growth stalled, thus preserving its 17th-century state. Since 1803, the town has been a part of Bavaria.

The Thirty Years' War and its impact on the town

The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history, with an estimated 4.5 to 8 million soldiers and civilians dying from battle, famine, or disease. The war began when Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II attempted to force Roman Catholicism on his subjects, but it quickly escalated into a complex, protracted conflict between many different parties, including major European powers such as the Catholic Church, the House of Savoy, and various German princes, as well as the national armies of Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and France.

The war had a significant impact on the town of Rothenburg, which was besieged and captured in 1631 by Catholic League forces under Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly. The town's defence and intention to withstand a siege were unsuccessful, and Tilly's troops quickly defeated Rothenburg, losing only 300 soldiers. The town was then occupied by 40,000 troops, who left the town poor and nearly empty by the time they departed in the spring. A bubonic plague outbreak the following year killed many more townsfolk. The impact of the war and its aftermath was so severe that Rothenburg stopped growing, thus preserving its 17th-century state.

The Thirty Years' War also had a broader impact on the region. Bavaria, Brandenburg-Prussia, Saxony, and other states increasingly pursued their own policies, while Sweden gained a permanent foothold in the area. The war also sparked a revival in German literature and the creation of societies dedicated to "purging foreign elements" from the German language.

The town's significance to Nazi ideology

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a town in the district of Ansbach in Bavaria, Germany, held a special significance for Nazi ideologues. It was regarded as the epitome of the German "Home Town", representing all that was quintessentially German. Here are some reasons why Rothenburg was significant to Nazi ideology:

• The Embodiment of the German "Home Town": Rothenburg's well-preserved medieval architecture, including its intact city walls, cobblestone streets, and historic buildings, embodied the ideal German hometown for the Nazis. The town's aesthetic and cultural significance made it a symbol of traditional German life and values.
• Strength Through Joy Organisation: Throughout the 1930s, the Nazi organisation "Kraft durch Freude" (KdF) or "Strength Through Joy" organised regular day trips to Rothenburg from across the Reich. These trips were supported by the town's citizens, who were sympathetic to National Socialism. The initiative brought economic benefits and promoted Rothenburg as the epitome of German culture and tradition.
• Expulsion of Jewish Citizens: In October 1938, Rothenburg expelled its Jewish citizens, an action that was applauded by Nazis and their supporters nationwide. This expulsion aligned with the Nazi ideology of racial purity and their goal of creating an "ideal" Nazi community.
• Propaganda and Symbolism: Rothenburg's medieval architecture and historical significance provided a backdrop for Nazi propaganda. The town's gates, adorned with anti-Semitic plaques, served as a powerful symbol of Nazi ideology. The town's tourism office recognised the "political significance of tourism," using it to spread Nazi ideals and create connections with ethnic Germans abroad.
• Creation of an "Ideal" Nazi Community: The Nazis aimed to create an "ideal" Nazi community in Rothenburg, serving as a model for how they wanted Germans to live as a family and community. This included the promotion of a specific upbringing for the sons of Nazi Germany, instilling patriotism and a dedication to protecting Nazi beliefs.
• Support for Nazi Leadership: Rothenburg demonstrated strong support for Nazi leadership, with many citizens sympathetic to National Socialism. The town's evolution into a totalitarian space under Nazi rule highlights the local initiative and consent that contributed to the regime's power.

Rothenburg's well-preserved medieval architecture

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a town in the district of Ansbach in Mittelfranken, Bavaria, Germany. It is one of the best-preserved medieval walled cities in Germany.

The town is encircled by many-towered walls and is known for its well-preserved medieval old town, which attracts tourists from all over the world. It is one of only four towns in Germany that still have completely intact city walls, the others being Nördlingen, Dinkelsbühl and Berching, all in Bavaria.

The town's name, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, means "Red castle above the Tauber" in German, as it is located on a plateau overlooking the Tauber River. The town was founded in 1170, with the marketplace and St. James' Church at its centre. The "White Tower" and the Markus Tower with the Röder Arch, both built in the 13th century, are still preserved today.

The town hall, or Rathaus, is a notable Renaissance building. The rear Gothic part of the building dates back to 1250, while the attached front Renaissance building was started in 1572. The town hall tower is one of only two accessible towers in the town, the other being the Roedertor tower.

St. Jacob's Church contains a 500-year-old altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider, considered a must-see art treasure in Rothenburg.

The town's medieval atmosphere is also enhanced by its cobblestone lanes, colourful houses, and pretty squares. The Plönlein, a narrow, half-timbered building framed by the Kobolzell Gate and the Siebers Tower, is one of the most photographed locations in Rothenburg.

The Burg Gate and Garden lead to the Castle Garden, where the Rothenburg Imperial Castle once stood before it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1356. The garden offers beautiful views of the surrounding valley, and the outer path along the garden wall is particularly noteworthy.

The Gerlachschmiede, or Old Forge, is another highlight of Rothenburg. The house is a 1951 reconstruction of the original building, which was destroyed in 1945 during World War II.

About 40% of the town was damaged during World War II, including nine watchtowers and over 2,000 feet of the wall. However, the centre of the old town remained largely unscathed.

Tourist attractions in Rothenburg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a well-preserved medieval town in Bavaria, Germany, that attracts around 1.5 million visitors annually. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in the town:

The Old Town

The Old Town is the main highlight of Rothenburg, with its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and charming squares. The town's walls and towers, dating back to the 16th century, offer a glimpse into the past. The Old Town is also home to several fine old churches, including the Lutheran St. James's Church, which features a remarkable wooden altarpiece carved by Tilman Riemenschneider.

Rothenburg Town Hall (Rathaus)

The Town Hall, located in the Marktplatz, is one of the finest in southern Germany. The building combines Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, with the oldest part dating back to the 13th century. The highlight is the 50-meter-high tower, which offers superb views of the Old Town.

Plönlein: The "Little Square"

Plönlein is a picturesque intersection in the Old Town, featuring a brightly painted half-timbered building that dates back to the 13th century. This spot has been featured in Walt Disney films such as "Pinocchio" and "Beauty and the Beast."

The Castle Garden (Burggarten)

The Castle Garden is a spectacular green space that offers wonderful views of the Old Town and the Double Bridge in the Tauber Valley. The garden features geometric flower beds and sculptures representing the four seasons and the four elements. It is a perfect spot for a picnic and to soak in the atmosphere of the historic town.

Medieval Crime Museum

The Medieval Crime Museum takes visitors on a journey through 1,000 years of crime and punishment in Europe, with a focus on the medieval period. The museum displays instruments of torture and punishment, as well as documentation on the logic behind their use. It also covers the witch-hunts that took place in Bavaria.

German Christmas Museum

The German Christmas Museum, located in the Marktplatz, showcases the history of German Christmas traditions and decorations. It features exhibits on tree ornaments, nativity scenes, and figurines, including 150 figures of Father Christmas. The museum is a delightful experience throughout the year, but it is especially magical during the Christmas season when the town is festooned with lights and decorations.

The Master Builder's House (Baumeisterhaus)

The Master Builder's House, located on Schmiedgasse, is considered one of the finest Renaissance houses in Bavaria. It was the home of Rothenburg's Master Builder, Leonard Weidmann, and features spectacular carvings of dragon motifs and statues representing the seven cardinal virtues and the seven deadly sins.

St. Jakobskirche

St. Jakobskirche, or St. James's Church, is a Lutheran church that was completed in 1485. It is widely regarded as one of the finest pilgrimage churches in Germany. The highlights include the Altar of the Holy Blood, a superb wood carving by Tilman Riemenschneider, and the 700-year-old stained glass in the East Choir. The church also offers guided tours in English.

Spitalhof and Spitaltor

Spitalhof is a picturesque area that features several interesting buildings, including the Hegereiterhäuschen, a fine old home built in 1591, and the massive 16th-century Spital Gate (Spitaltor). The gate, built by Master Builder Leonhard Weidmann, is the last of the town's fortifications and features a Latin inscription, "Pax intrantibus, salus exeuntibus," which translates to "Peace to those who enter, good health to those who leave."

Rothenburg Museum

The Rothenburg Museum, housed in a former Dominican convent, provides insight into the town's history. The museum displays include weapons, paintings, Jewish liturgical ornaments, and the well-preserved 13th-century kitchen, which is considered one of the oldest in Germany.

Frequently asked questions