The City

• "When you approach the city or stand atop its walls and gaze out over a countryside that's free of suburban sprawl, it's easy to imagine what Rothenburg must have looked like in the Middle Ages," according to Durant and Cheryl Imboden at Europe for Visitors. The full city walls, spotted with towers like the famous Röderturm, surround the town. Winding lanes paved with cobblestones crisscross the Altstadt (old town), meandering between picturesque half timbered houses. A climb to the top of the wall or towers offers an unfettered view of the surrounding Tauber Valley.
  
  

Markplatz

• The Markplatz, or market square, hosts a weekly public market and the annual Reiterlesmarkt at Christmas. Several civic buildings surround the plaza including the town hall and the Ratsherrntrinkstube, or City Councilor's Tavern. Every hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 9 to 10 p.m. at the Ratsherrntrinkstube, the windows to the left of the clock open to recreate the Meistertrunk incident of 1631 when the city was under attack by the Catholic forces of General Tilly.
  
  

Meistertrunk

• In 1631, Rothenburg's city council saved the town by drinking 110 fl oz of wine---that's over a gallon and a half---in one gulp. To celebrate, in addition to the daily reenactment, Rothenburg holds a historical event each year on Whitsuntide (the weekend of Pentecost): the Meistertrunk. The historical "Master's Draft" festival takes guests back to the Middle Ages featuring parades, a field camp and a medieval market.
  
  

Town Hall

• The town hall, or Rathaus, was built and enlarged from 1250 to 1550 A.D. You can walk through the building and go up to the observation tower and look out over the town. Here, you will find the tourist office on the main floor and the entrance to the Historical Archways museum and dungeons in the courtyard.
  
  

Museums

• The Rothenburg museums will suit any taste. In the Historical Archways museum under town hall, Rothenburg opens its historical vaults to the public and the exhibits take you back to Rothenburg during the 30 Years War. The Kriminalmuseum, or Medieval Crime Museum, traces European law over 1,000 years including grim torture devices and amusing punishments. Take your kids to the Doll and Toy museum, where the proprietor has been adding to the collection since the 1940s.
  
  

Additional Sites

• Depending on your mood, you can see the most important sites in a couple of days, or you can take your time and enjoy the medieval setting at a medieval pace. You can walk atop the entire city wall for breathtaking scenic views. Though the walls have railings and are mostly level, make sure you wear appropriate shoes, since it is a two mile walk, and be prepared for low overhangs. At the southern entrance, you will find the impressive Spitalbastei Gate: a figure eight shape with seven towers, portcullis and drawbridge. Rothenburg's gothic St. James Church contains the famous Altar of the Holy Blood and Twelve Apostles Altars.
  
  

Staying There

• Most visitors to Rothenburg are day-trippers. They arrive early in the morning, check out the markets, visit the museums, walk the walls, enjoy pastries at the many local bakeries and have lunch in a pub. Then, they head off to other cities to find night life. However, if you do spend the night in one of Rothenburg's many medieval hotels and guesthouses---some inside the walls, some on the wall and a couple of quaint countryside inns---be sure to check out the Night Watchman Tour beginning at 8 p.m. (see Resources).