Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Germany's Fairy Tale Dream Town

Europe Journal 02.

I first heard Rothenburg ob der Tauber from my brother after his visit and he mentioned that Rothenburg appeared on several fantasy films including Pinocchio. Since I grew up watching Pinocchio and other Disney movies (80's), it seemed like another Disneyland  to me.I want to see those places where my childhood days were mostly spent...

* Rothenburg ob der Tauber  is a town on the Romantic Road in Bavaria, Germany, about halfway in between Frankfurt and Munich. It is known for its medieval center (Altstadt), seemingly untouched by the passage of time, encircled by the undamaged 14th century town wall. It means, in German, "Red fortress above the Tauber". This is so because the town is located on a plateau overlooking the Tauber River.

I visited Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber almost a year ago as part of my 3 weeks Europe tour, which I will also share with you on my next posts...

This is actually 2nd to the last city that I visited from that journey, I initially posted my teaser when I fell for Eiffel; but since Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber is my first choice, let me begin my Europe Photo Journal from this wonderful adventure...

From Stuttgart, where we stayed with my loving grand mother, we travel via train to Rothenburg; it was about 3-4 hours if I remember it right...

Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber is Germany's best preserved walled town; driving is unnecessary as it will only take you 20 minutes to get from one end of town to another...

Rödertor (Röder Gate)

@ Rödertor (Röder Gate) - The main tower is the oldest part of the gate complex.

 It dates back to the 13th century, while the half-timbered upper level was added later.

For the best view of the town and surrounding countryside, climb the Town Hall tower. For more views, walk the wall that surrounds the old town. This 1.5-mile stroll atop the wall is at its most medieval before breakfast or at sunset...

Rothenburg Wall 

Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber's half-timbered buildings

Some say that the name "Rothenburg" comes from the German words Rot (Red) and Burg (burgh, medieval fortified settlement), referring to the red color of the roofs of the houses which overlook the river.

The walk wall

A View of Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber's lane

Markusturm (Marcus Tower)

Markusturm (Marcus Tower) with Röderbogen (Röder Arch)

The Marktplatz: This is the pulsating heart of the town. This is where it all happens, from the weekly market to guided tours, the historic shepherd’s dance, the fireworks as part of the town festival or performances by the Ambassadors of Music.

The Rothenburg Town Hall

In Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, the magic of Christmas all year round!

A visit to the Christmas Museum will put you in the festive mood – the doors of the museum are open, even if it isn’t even Advent!

Experience the entire historic spectrum of the traditional family festival and gain a visual impression of how Christmas decorations have evolved over the years. 

Christmas Museum

Along the streets of Marktplatz

Ratstrinkstube (Councillor's Tavern)

Every hour on the hour between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. the clockwork figures on the clock above the Ratstrinkstube entertain the public with the key scene from the legend of the Master Draught.

The town experienced a blossoming of Jewish culture. Kapellenplatz was also the center of everyday Jewish life, with the synagogue, community hall and businesses providing for daily needs.

Kapellenplatz

Burgtor (Castle Gate)

Burgtor (Castle Gate)

The Burgtor forms the entrance to the Castle Gardens, a small beautifully planted park.

This so-called “Eye-of-the-Needle” was then opened, a narrow gap that could be used to leave the town.

Spitaltor (Spital Gate)

The Spitaltor: Built in the form of a figure eight at the end of the 16th century, these impressive fortifications were the work of Leonhard Weidmann. Seven gates, a portcullis, a drawbridge and a parapet that could be used by cannon protected Rothenburg from attack from the South.

By now, I hope you agree with me that indeed, Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber is fairy tale dream town; I was awaiting to see Cinderella as this white horses carriage pass along the way...

Or maybe Old Gepetto, riding this green car... 

One whole day is never enough to explore every corner of this fantasy town... every bridge leads you to another adventure...

And every walls have its own story to tell... 

I got 639 photos captured on this day, but more than those colorful photos are the beautiful memories as we stroll along those tiny roads and climb up on those tower gates... 

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*Info from Wikitravel

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