"Rothenburg ob der Tauber " a Rothenburg ob der Tauber Travel Page by girladventure

Rothenburg is situated on the Romantic Road between Wurzburg and Dinkelsbhuhl (between Frankfurt and Munich) and is considered by many to be Germany's best-preserved medieval town. It is flanked by medieval walls, towers and gates. As you wander the streets of this Medieval town, you get the sense of stepping back in time. The narrow streets, ancient buildings, and charming squares transport you back 600 years. The settlement of Rothenburg was established in 970 when the first castle was built. The Legend of Rothenburg is interesting. It began in 1631, while the 30 years war was raging between Catholics and Protestants. Rothenburg, a Protestant town, was about to be overrun by a Catholic army. Just before the carnage was to begin, the Catholic general offered a deal. If anyone could drink a three-liter tankard (you can see this in the Historical Vaults) of wine in one gulp, the town would be spared. Rothenburg's mayor rushed forward to take the challenge. He grabbed the tankard, drank the wine in one gulp, and passed out for three days while the town rejoiced over his extraordinary commitment to civic duty. This magic Meistertrunk moment is immortalized in the clock on the Councilors' Tavern on the Marktplatz. At certain hours during the day, the clock's figures re-enact the mayor's sacrificial gulp for his people while the Catholic general eggs him on.

The best way to get around Rothenburg is by foot. There's a one-hour English language guided walking tour every day at 2:00 pm from April to October. There is also a one-hour Night Watchman's tour at 8:00 pm, in English.