Rothenburg Town Hall (Rathaus)
(Pass by)
We will start our tour by visiting the most known corner of town: Plönlein. The best-known view of Rothenburg and an inspiration for countless artists, its name comes from the Latin word “Planum”, meaning “levelled square”. We advise to see 1940’s Disney’s classic Pinocchio before your visit. You will recognize this square! After this we will pass the 14 th century city walls. On the way to another important site, the main door of the city: Rödertor. It’s a fortified gate with an important cannon complex, through which all goods entered the city. From here we walk inwards, to meet the Röderbogen, once also the entrance of the city, but this time the gate of the 12 th century. Note the tower of Saint Mark, a prison until the 19th century, 22 meters high and 2 meters thick walls, similar to the tower of London. Then we will head to the central square of the city, and the heart of the Christmas Market: Marktplatz. Here we will find the Ratstrinkstube, the old town hall of the city and site of the famous astronomic clock that represents the mayor of Rothenburg drinking 4 liter of wine in order to save this city from the 30 Years War. In front of it you will see the Rathaus, today’s town hall, with its two towers, one of 13 th century gothic style, and the other of 16 th century baroque. We will spend some time here, enjoying the stalls, some hot mulled wine and some more stories about the market and the 500 years-old Christmas traditions. We continue on our way down the street and find Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop, the most famous holiday shop in the world and were you will find over 30 thousand handmade pieces, traditional or otherwise. Open all year, this is where you will find the magic of Christmas always alive and well. We will also pass the Franziskaner Kirche, a church of the Franciscan monks’ order dating of the 13 th century in pre-gothic style. Then we’ll reach the gate of the castle (Burgtor), and then finding the gardens of the castle (Burggarten) and the best view of the city. This was once the site of the imperial castle of the 12 th century, but this one was destroyed by earthquake in the 14 th century and its ruins were used to build the second wall of the city. Only a small chapel remains, with a monument to the fallen in the Two Worlds Wars. On our way back to the market we will stop at the church of Saint Jakob, were a drop of the blood of Christ is kept, a relic brought here during the Crusades. We will then finish our tour of this wonderful Christmas town in its heart and center, for some more Christmas exploration on your own.