Originally wanting to drive the Romantic Road, I settled for a train trip down to Fussen with a stop in Augsburg; starting at the beautiful walled city of Rothenberg ob der Tauber.
My hotel in the city centre was just above an extension of the main Christmas Markets, enough to enjoy the smell of waffles and crepes wafting through the window, when open.
At this point, I have done little research on what I might do in these towns; enjoying the on-site discovery of lots, or little to do. Rothenberg’s Night Watchman tour appeared to be a must, along with a walk of the wall.
Rothenberg The Night Watchman
The Nightwatchman English tour started at 8pm, and took an hour to tell some entertaining stories of history while doing a once around one section of the city. A highlight of this tour, aside from the comedic banter of George himself, was going through Hell. Yep, a street so designated many years ago, with one of the best pub/restaurants in Rothenberg; Zur Hol, or literally translated as, Hell.
Tour ended, and some new friends from dinner and I ventured back to Zur Hol for a round of drinks, and a lively conversation with some extra travellers we met there took us to closing, well, later than closing; where we were (politely) “kicked out of hell”. There’s one for the travel memories. 2 nights later, I ended up there again with another traveller, great conversation, and my second night of being (politely) “kicked out of hell”. If you know your plans to visit Rothenberg, make an advanced reservation as it’s a small place, limited seating, and well deserved reputation for great food & drinks reasonably priced.
Rothenberg wall donors
The Nightwatchman tour mentioned the part destruction of the city & wall during the war, and how people were encouraged to donate to help them rebuild. Those donations getting them their name on the wall (pictured below). I on the other hand simply left some DNA on the wall, bumping my head a couple of times on low stone doorways and low roof trusses.
You can’t walk the wall around the entire city, but probably 70% or so, and if careful about your footing, watching your head (for the vertically enhanced), the views and experience are rewarding. At one point, a tower, the Spitalbastei provides a fascinating opportunity to delve into it’s depths, through canon stationed ramparts, to cavernous rooms below.
Rothenberg ob der Tauber is an easy inclusion to any Germany visit.
