So, where is this burg (castle) as in Burggarten (Castle Garden)? Unfortunately, the Stauferburg,…read moreImperial castle/fortress for the Holy Roman Emperor has been long lost. A legend goes it was lost by an earthquake. Stones were valuable materials and the city was eager to expand. It's probable that the Rothenburg residents dismantled the castle themselves. On your left as you walk into the Castle Garden, you'll see the only preserved building of the former Stauferburg, which is now a memorial site. An info panel in front of the Blasius Chapel explains the structure and function of the former castle grounds. Past the castle, you'll get to a private residence that was once the office of the city nursery in Rothenburg. In the middle of the English garden grounds, you'll see a small baroque styled garden with allegories of the four seasons. The Castle Garden features a historic collection of trees and extensive lawns, which invite visitors to linger to bask in a medieval atmosphere. A column and pogrom stone in the Castle Garden recall the past. The Staufer column on the north side of the Castle Garden reminds of the era when the emperor's castle was used for control over the imperial city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the Holy Roman Empire. Next to the chapel is a copy of the medieval pogrom stone. This memorializes the murder of the Jewish residents in Rothenburg, who died in the Middle Ages during the Rindtfleisch pogrom in 1298. Approaching Castle Garden via the Burgtor, you will have beautiful views of the Tauber Valley at the observation platforms to the left and right. It's a must visit when you are in Rothenburg.

The east of Rothenburg's old city, you can walk through the town wall into the medieval alleyways…read morevia the Galgentor (also called Würzburger Tor) or Rödertor. At the Rödertor is the Röderturm, which is open to visitors regularly. From here you get a wonderful view of the old quarter, from Markusturm with its stork's nest to - the also accessible - City Hall tower. The Röderturm is also a central starting point for Rothenburg's Tower Trail, which leads around the old quarter.

The Hofgarten is proof that you don't have to travel far to momentarily forget that you were…read moreactually just on your way to the bus, train station, theater, or castle. Strategically located, it's exactly where half of Ansbach eventually ends up. Those who were just looking for a shortcut suddenly find themselves sitting on a bench twenty minutes later, watching ducks, clouds, or their own thoughts. The grounds themselves are beautifully designed: old, impressive trees, well-tended flower beds in the Baroque style, a medicinal herb garden, a pavilion, and enough paths to make you feel as though you're much farther from downtown than you actually are. What's particularly fascinating is that you constantly stumble upon history here. Plaques and monuments commemorate botanists, poets, ministers, and even the tragic fate of Kaspar Hauser. You come here for a walk and leave the park feeling as though you've accidentally attended a history lesson. The benches deserve a mention of their own. There are so many of them that every visitor will likely find their personal favorite bench at some point and then act as if it belongs to them. In the summer, the Hofgarten regularly transforms into an open-air stage for events, concerts, and festivals. On other days, all you need is a blanket on the lawn, a small picnic, and the ability to put off anything urgent for an hour. I suspect, anyway, that the Hofgarten secretly supports the mental stability of the entire city. Whenever Ansbach gets a little too loud, too hectic, or too complicated, people simply disappear among the old trees and emerge later, noticeably more relaxed. A park that is at once a local recreation area, a history book, an open-air living room, and a meeting place. Ansbach has many beautiful spots. The Hofgarten is definitely one of those places you keep coming back to--even when you actually intended to go somewhere else entirely.

I seldom write an updated review, but I have been coming here for almost a year and feeling it…read moredeserves another one. BLUF (bottom line up front): the Hofgarten Ansbach continues to be my favorite public park. Let me name some ways... Flower gardens: basically there are two planting seasons a year. Spring garden with bulb flowers like tulips and other flowers adorn this park from mid- to late April. As soon as tulips finish blooming (or even before they are completely done), they are replaced with summer-fall flower plants. It seems to last until about the end of October, and bulbs are placed in flower beds for the spring. Until I started spending some time with flowers here, I didn't know artichokes bloomed (photo). When you think the artichoke heads started to get browned, tiny purple petals start to come out. It's so delicate and pretty. Even for the winter months, some hearty plants like pansies are planted and survives our harsh winter. Walking trails: this is the main reason I come here...to walk around this great garden to put my daily steps in. On a good day, I walk a little more than 4 miles depending on how much time I can spend walking. On average, I walk about 2.5 to 3 miles. It's peaceful here especially if you come earlier in the morning before regulars come out. You hear birds sing. You hear squirrels jump through leaves and bushes. Surprisingly, I have not encountered any mosquitos here. In general, Germans are very good at pest control. I don't know what they do, but it's working. In short, I love this place. It's been a great year walking through observing changes in flowers, trees, etc. It's been a great place just contemplating. The city of Ansbach takes pride in this Court Garden and provides wonderful park for her citizens. Thank you!

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.