Rothenburg and Würzburg

The name "Rothenburg ob der Tauber" is actually a shortened version of "Rothenburg oberhalb der Tauber", which in German means "Rothenburg over the Tauber". This is so because the town is located on top of a mount overlooking the Tauber river. As to the name "Rothenburg", some say it comes from the German words "Rot" (Red) and "Burg" (burg, medieval fortified town), referring to the red colour of the roofs of the houses which overlook the river.

In the Ratstrinkstube (see photos) a clock re-enacts the historic "meistertrunk" daily. The meistertrunk commemorates the event in 1631 when the walled town was under seige from the Imperial forces of Count Tilly. On a lark, Count Tilly told the city that he would spare them if anyone could drink a tankard containing about six pints of wine in one draught. Mayor Nusch took the challenge successfully, and the city was saved. The clock re-enacts the event hourly from 11 AM to 3 PM and 8PM to 10 PM. Rothenburg celebrates this rescue each year on Whitsun with a festival performance, grand army march and a field camp.

To the left of the Ratstrinkstube on the west side of the Town Hall Square is the Rathaus or town hall. The rear Gothic part of the building dates from 1250, the attached front Renaissance building was started in 1572. This building has served as the seat of government for the city-state during the medieval ages, and the city of Rothenburg since the formation of the federalist government. The Town Hall Tower is open for ascent to view the city from high above.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the cities on the Romantische Strasse (Romantic Road) that has preserved vestiges of their medieval importance into the 21st century. A series of walls and towers defended the city over the ages, the most recent still stands and surrounds most of the older part of the city. Stairwells ascend to the top of the wall at intervals, and the entire wall can be walked. In addition, the Rodertor tower at the east end of the city is opened daily to allow a climb up stairs to the vista atop it.

Following our visit to Rothenburg, we traveled by bus to Wurzburg, a small town along the Main River. There we enjoyed dinner and a view in a restaurant on a hill overlooking Wurzburg.