There are 46 surviving towers around the Old Town, and they demonstrate the importance of…read moreRothenburg in its heyday. Because of its wealth and relative importance in the Middle Ages, Rothenburg needed to be well-fortified. On this circular tour around the boundary of the Old Town, 40 different towers and tower gates tell an amazing story of a remarkable city. Today, we walked on this medieval fully-covered defense wall from its southern end at the Spitaltor all the way to the northern end at the Klingentor. It was really fun. You have to be careful where you step on especially in the dark areas (where towers/tower gates are) to avoid tripping and falling down. There are some narrow spots, and you may have to yield to your fellow wall walkers at times if there's any. Can you imagine being a medieval soldier and have to run through this narrow passage with all your weapons and protective gears?? Fortunately for us, one of the unintended consequences of COVID-19 pandemic was the total lack of tourists in this otherwise very popular and enchanting tourists destination right now, and we didn't encounter too many others on this wall. The view of the Old Town from the wall is very interesting to say the least. It's sort of funny/strange looking in to houses where people actually live, but at the same time, it's always fun imagining how towns folks lived in this medieval town in the times past. On the eastern walls, you notice right away numerous stone/brick plaques engraved with names of donors who contributed to the reconstruction of this section of the wall. We are indebted to them for making it possible for us to enjoy safe walking on the wall. If you were to walk the entire route around the Old City, it would be about 4 km (2.5 mi) circular route. It can be taken in either direction. It might take about two hours if you take your time. Perhaps, the Burggarten at the eastern end of the Old Town would be a nice stop to enjoy a picnic lunch or snacks (unfortunately, there's no vendors located here, so you have to bring your own). Along the route you'll find 22 information displays (can't be seen if you are up on the wall). They explain in English and German, about he towers and gates, the fortifications, the surrounding nature and landscapes, the history of the town, and the most important visible historical structures. You'll leave this place with the best souvenir possible: a lifelong memory. And you know the best part...it's totally FREE!

It may be due to the fact that I'm slowly becoming part of history myself, but I really enjoy…read morehistory more and more as I age. There's something so surreal about touching and feeling the same stone walls that were built more than 1,000 years ago. I try envisioning guards looking out at the nothingness while on duty. In fact, as one who previously spent hours upon agonizing hours in guard towers myself staring into the abyss, I imagine circa 1,000 AD privates bitching and moaning about how shitty guard duty was. Some things never change, do they? Nevertheless, as I digress, this piece of history is very cool! It's still so intact and fully functional. You can walk all along the wall and look out just as those guards had to so many years ago. And, totally free! It's so worth your time if you're anywhere near Rothenburg. Enjoy!

Spent a Saturday afternoon walking around this old cobblestone street village. Very cool…read morearchitecture and some great restaurants. Best to park outside the wall and walk around inside. It wasn't too crowded while I was there but heard it can get busy so plan your trip accordingly. Easy access, walking up two flights of stairs, to walk the wall.

My absolute favorite place in Germany during our recent visit. Rothenburg had a quieter slower pace…read morethan the larger cities we visited. It is a medieval village but during advent it seemed like a place out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. The entire village was friendly, beautiful. It is a place I'd spend more time at if we were to go back to Germany.

This is a great stop for an hour or two while you are exploring Rothenburg! The admission is only…read more7€ for adults,l with reduced fees for others (3.50€ for students, 4€ for college students, 6€ for seniors & 17€ for families which includes 2 adults and children under 18). The museum houses an array of artifacts and replicas of torture decides and items used as punishment during medieval times. These items range from humiliating masks to torture chairs and finger presses, then up to a Iron Madden. There is also a lot to read and see on the justice system and rules that dictated crimes and punishments. All of it was very fascinating and there was a lot to learn. Some of our favorites were all the masks used to draw attention and humiliate an offended, such as one that whistled every time the wearer breathed, so everyone knew where they were. The plaques where in German with most having English translations below. Oh, and turns out you can bring your dog in as we found out with others walking around. They also have a great cafe after you are done in another building. This is a great stop for a hot chocolate or coffee and to try a mini schneeballen. Highly recommend adding this museum to your list while in Rothenberg!

We took a break from Christmas market and visited this museum right when it opened. It's €7/adult,…read morecollected at the door. You start in the basement and go down these steep and rather dim stairs. The lighting is a bit dim down there giving an overall eerie vibe to the place. I suppose that's intentional. Displays are well laid out and most of the plaques are in a German, English and Japanese. At the far end of the basement, there are stairs to get to the 2 floors above with more displays. The lighting is a bit better up there. There's a lot to look at so if you get tired, wooden benches are placed all around to take breaks. The WCs are also upstairs. Everything is informative and interesting. There's quite a bit of duplication. People have found so many ways to hurt each other throughout history. I also found it a bit depressing in contrast to the spirit of the Christmas market. Glad I went as it's a popular museum and recommended by friends who went but I won't be coming back.

What exactly is the Plönlein? And where in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is it located? Many guests ask…read moreabout the landmark and probably most famous photo subject in Rothenburg - here we'll use it as a starting point for a short tour of the city's historic residential buildings. The term Plönlein is actually translated as a "small square at a fountain", which means that the ensemble at the Plönlein also includes the fountain in front of the lone timber-frame house and the two towers of the old city wall that rise to its left and right - on the left the Siebersturm leading to Spital quarter, on the right the tower for the Kobolzeller Tor from 1360, which opens towards the Tauber Valley. What is Pinocchio doing in Rothenburg? The Plönlein is a international star: Many consider the timber-frame house on the Plönlein to represent a typical motif of Rothenburg's old quarter. Starting with Walt Disney's classic "Pinocchio" (1940), its architecture is copied by artists, architects and designers whenever they have to depict a typical medieval setting in Europe.