麻豆APP

Rothenburg (LU), Flecken. Photo by Krol:k on

Top 10 Unknown Facts about Rothenburg

Rothenburg is a German-language town known as Rothenburg ob der Tauber. It is located in the district of Ansbach of Mittelfranken, the Franconia region of Bavaria, in Germany.

Rothenburg is well known as its a preserved medieval old town which is a destination for tourists from around the world. The town forms part of the popular Romantic Road that cuts through southern Germany. Rothenburg is among the three German towns to have its city walls intact.

The name Rothenburg ob der Tauber is derived from the German language which means 鈥淩ed castle above the Tauber鈥�. This beautiful town is located on a plateau that overlooks the Tauber River.

Some of the roofs of the houses in Rothenburg are coloured red which also signifies the name Rothenburg, Rot for red and burg for a medieval fortified settlement. Rothenburg is rich in history and is one of the major towns in Germany that is more frequented annually.

Below are the top 10 Unknown Facts about Rothenburg:

1. Rothenburg was Originally Inhabited by Celts and the Count of Comburg-Rothenburg

Rothenburg city is thought to have been inhabited by the Celts way before the first century, and the Count helped in constructing several facilities. The Count of Comburg-Rothenburg constructed the weir system which is located in today鈥檚 castle green. The Counts were also owners of the village known as Gebsattel.

They build the Rothenburg castle that is on the mountain top overlooking River Tauber. However, the Count dynasty perished in 1116 with the last one, Count Heinrich appointed as the successor of their properties.

2. The Town Overlooks River Tauber

Rothenburg with the bridge. Photo by Hugin on

Rothenburg is a German language name that is Rothenburg ob der Tauber in full. It means the Red Castle above the Tauber, a popular river in Germany.

Rothenburg is located on a beautiful plateau that overlooks the Tauber River. The name Rothenburg can be further broken down to Rot which means red and burg stands for a medieval fortified settlement. This refers to the red roofs of the townhouses that face the river.

3. Rothenburg is Among Germany鈥檚 Remaining Three Towns with Intact City Walls

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, city fortifications, hospital door system. Photo by Tilman2007 on

Rothenburg is a medieval fortified settlement that was established several years ago. The residents of Rothenburg used to live in the fortified city that was founded in 1170.

The centre of Rothenburg town was a marketplace of old moat and milk. It was well protected and among the oldest fortified towns in Germany.

The walls and towers were built in the 13th century and were known as the White Tower and Markus Tower. Rothenburg is among the only three German towns whose city walls are intact.

4. The Town was Held under Siege in the Thirty Years鈥� War by Count of Tilly

The history of Rothenburg is so interesting to listen to and get to and learn more about. In October 1631, there was the thirty years鈥� war that was led by the Catholic Tserclaes, Count of Tilly.

The Count of Tilly wanted to have his forty thousand troops in Protestant Lutheran Rothenburg. However, they were not allowed into the town peacefully as the town decided to defend itself.

The town intended to withstand the siege by Count of Tilly, but they could not. Rothenburg was defeated by Count of Tilly who lost only 300 soldiers.

5. Bubonic Plague Outbreak left Rothenburg Poor and Undeveloped

The Count of Tilly took over Rothenburg after the Thirty Years鈥� War but never stayed there for long. The Count made sure that they overused the resources of Rothenburg town.

After the great winter, the Count of Tilly decided to leave Rothenburg with his troops. They left the town of Rothenburg extremely poor and nearly empty.

In 1634, the bubonic plague outbreak hit Rothenburg killing several residents of the town. With the poverty and lack of money and power, Rothenburg remained underdeveloped and preserved as a 17th-century state.

6. Great Landscape Painters Visited and got Impressed by Rothenburg Encouraging Tourists

In the 19th century, a lot of things happened around Rothenburg. Eugen Bracht, a famous German landscape painter visited Rothenburg and stayed over for two days.

He was left impressed by the town and its serene environment. Later on, artists of Romanticism, Hans Thoma and Carl Spitzweg visited Rothenburg and were impressed. This opened up for more tourists to visit and enjoy the culture of the town.

7. Rothenburg is Located on the Lovely Romantic Road

Blue Hour on the central square in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. A 2-long exposure blurs passersby while buildings retain sharp focus. Photo by Dennis Ludlow – Shakshock on

Other than being magnificent on its own, Rothenburg is located along one of the most frequented trails in Germany. Rothenburg is located along the Romantic Road which is more frequented by tourists.

With more than five million tourists visiting the 460 kilometres of Romantic Road, Rothenburg is among the best stops where they visit and spend a night.

8. German Soldiers were Stationed to Defend Rothenburg during WW2

Memorial to the war fighting in 1945; Square design; Historically significant. Photo by Tommes on

During World War Two, the Nazi and German soldiers showed the importance of Rothenburg. In March 1945, several German soldiers were stationed at Rothenburg to protect it from their enemies.

On the 30th of that month, bombs were dropped over on Rothenburg by 16 planes which killed 37 people. 306 houses were destroyed, six public buildings, nine watchtowers and two thousand feet of the wall.

However, Assistant Secretary of the War from the United Stated, John McCloy knew the historic importance of Rothenburg. He ordered not to use artillery to take it over due to its importance to German history.

9. Rathaus Building with the only Accessible Tower is in Rothenburg

St. James’s Church in Rothenburg ob der Tauber was photographed from the town hall tower. Photo by Tuxyso on Wikimedia

Rothenburg has several medieval buildings which are significant in bringing out the history and beauty of the town. The Rathaus, town hall is one of the notable buildings in Rothenburg.

It has a rear Gothic part which dates from 1250 with the front Renaissance building constructed in 1572. This building served as the seat of government for the state during the medieval era.

It is more significant because of the town hall tower in Rothenburg. This tower is the only accessible tower in Rothenburg.

10. Rothenburg has several Museums with Criminal Museum being the Most Significant

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nuschweg, enclosure. Photo by Tilman2007 on

Rothenburg town has several remarkable medieval buildings which are being used as museums. There are more than five museums with the most significant being the criminal museum.

This museum gives an insight into how judicial punishment was over the one thousand years. There are exhibits of torture instruments, shrews fiddles, scolds and many more.

Other museums include the Imperial City Museum, Doll and Toy Museum, Shepherds鈥� Dance Museum, Christmas Museum and Craft House.

Rothenburg town is one of the remarkable and more historic towns in Germany that is significant to the Germans and visiting tourists.