Rothenburg ob der Tauber – fairy tales and Christmas
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| Type | Town |
| Year | 950 |
| Location | Ansbach, Middle Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, Europe Rothenburg ob der Tauber is at the crossing of two of Germany’s most popular holiday-themed routes:
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| Getting there | Although slightly off major modern trade routes, transportation to Rothenburg ob der Tauber is easy by car, train, or bus from other major centers in Germany such as Frankfurt am Main, Heidelberg, Nuremberg (Nürnberg), and Munich (München) By train:
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Rothenburg ob der Tauber is on Romantic Road
Rothenburg ob der Tauber (or Rothenburg) is a town on the Romantic Road in Bavaria, Germany, about halfway in between Frankfurt and Munich.
There are several “Rothenburgs” in Germany. Make sure you plan for Rothenburg ob der Tauber (on the Tauber River).
It is well known for its well-preserved medieval old town, a destination for tourists from around the world.
The red fortress above the Tauber
The name “Rothenburg ob der Tauber” means, in German, “The Red fortress above the Tauber”. This is so because the town is located on a plateau overlooking the Tauber River.
Rothenburg is one of Germany’s best shopping towns. You can buy prints, carvings, wine glasses, Christmas-tree ornaments.
If there’s a reason Rothenburg feels like a Disney movie, that’s because it inspired one. In any event, the fairytale-like town of Rothenburg served as the inspiration for the animated Disney film Pinocchio, as well as the location of the Vulgarian village scenes in 1968’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Filming was also done in Rothenburg for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Rothenburg is popular with big bus tour groups, especially in the summer. Therefore, it is advised that you see the town in the morning or the evening when the bus crowds aren’t there.
Christmas in Rothenburg
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is especially busy during the Christmas season. It’s elaborately decorated and hosts the obligatory Christmas market with Glühwein, Germany’s seasonal mulled wine, along with delicious nibbles, and every kind of festive shop.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is home to a veritable Christmas Museum, Käthe Wohlfahrt. There is a shop and a museum. Both the shop and museum are open all year, which means you can get your ornaments whenever you want. Entering Käthe Wohlfahrt is like entering a fairytale. 
Walking will get you from one end of town to the other in about 15 min.
Driving is unnecessary and at times impossible; it is best to park the car outside the old city walls and walk.
Tourist attractions:
Christmas Museum, Käthe Wohlfahrt.
Market Square
Market Square (Marktplatz) is the center of urban life in Rothenburg. 
Town Hall Tower (Rathausturm)
The 50 m (165 ft) 13th century Town Hall Tower (Rathausturm) at the center of the Altstadt offers the best view of the area. It costs €2 (per adult) and takes 241 steps to get up.
The Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum (Kriminalmuseum)
Plönlein
The Plönlein, a few blocks south of the Market Square, offers a charming medieval sight. The Plönlein is often referred to as one of the most photographed spots in Germany.
The Town Wall
The Town Wall encircles the city, giving the Altstadt the shape of ahead, with the nose – the Castle Garden – pointing west. The entry is free and offers a good vantage point to see the town.
St. Jakobskirche (Church of St. Jacob)
St. Jakobskirche (Church of St. Jacob), Klostergasse 15, north of the Market Square, contains a masterpiece by the famous Würzburg sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider (ca. 1460-1531).
| Other touristic attractions | Nuremberg – features a delightful castle, old town, and the nazi party rally grounds Würzburg – a university town with an impressive palace Nördlingen – a beautiful medieval town in a meteorite crater surrounded by a 14th-century wall. |
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