Germany is a magnificent country and has varying regions of immense beauty that can be explored. A greatly visited tourist destination is Bavaria in south-east Germany extending down to the Alps. It is divided into five regions namely, Franconia, Swabia, Upper Palatinate, Upper and Lower Bavaria. One of the most popular attractions is a visit to the towns lying en route the Romantic Road from Wūrzburg to Fūssen. Among the towns, the most noteworthy are Fūssen at the foothills of the Alps, Wūrzburg, a university town and a wine producing region, Augsburg and the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
The Romantic Road is easily accessible via Munich and Frankfurt making it a possible and most targeted tourist destination. From fairy tale castles to historic towns, the Romantic Road offers some of the most fascinating towns in the Franconian region of Bavaria. Here I shall be talking about the tiny yet attractive town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which lies midway from both Frankfurt and Munich. This quaint and untouched medieval town can be reached either by bus or train, but you must ascertain that you are headed for Rothenburg ob der Tauber and not another Rothenburg, as there are many to be found in Germany.
The 14th century town wall surrounding the Altstadt lies intact to this day and a walk through the town is the best way to explore it. It takes only a matter of fifteen minutes to reach the other end of town. The Marktplatz or the Market Square in the centre of the town highlights a modern lifestyle with a medieval surrounding. The Market Square is flanked by the Town Hall on the west, the City Councillors’ Tavern on the north, St George’s Fountain on the south and shops and cafés and restaurants on the east. The Town Hall Tower or the Rathausturm is a 13th century structure located at the centre of the square and offers a panoramic view of the town.
There are several other medieval buildings worth exploring here such as the Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum that displays some horrifying torture chambers. Then there is the Plonlein or the Little Square with the Siebers Tower and the Kobolzell Gate. The St Jacob’s Church is also a noteworthy attraction. Like everywhere in Germany, Bavarians too love their beer and food and so you can get plenty of mouthwatering treats while traveling in this region. The famous sausages, Bavarian cheese and the remarkable beer festivals are something to look forward to in every region of Germany.
With mesmerizing landscapes, bustling cities, beautiful towns and villages, lively festivals, a rich cultural heritage, glorious history, you will find everything that a traveler can ever look for. Add a touch of romance to your holiday; visit the lovely region of Bavaria and experience some of the most charming and enchanting views here. There are not one or two, but plenty of towns and villages to explore that offer some of the most spellbinding experiences.
Photo by André Bonacin provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by marco.marsella provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by Robby-BF provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by gargared provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by André Bonacin provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
June 6th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
I love Rothenburg ob der Tauber, but unfortunately we were too late for the Criminal Museum. Great photos, especially of the one of the wall.