Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Most travellers think of Rothenburg ob der Tauber as a medieval town. That's because it has preserved its medieval wall circuit, towers and gates and has valuable surviving medieval buildings.

In reality, Rothenburg is a 17th century town almost perfectly maintained, with the inevitable tourist haunts that go with such a magnetic attraction.

Rothenburg is the shining example of what happens to towns when history passes them by. The trade that gave the town prominence in the medieval period largely dried up, leaving monuments to a wealthy and independent spirit that was reborn in a post-World War II tourist economy. Recreations of the city's key events is part of this, but it remains an exciting place for independent travellers to explore on foot.