As a young backpacker, I fell in love with the picturesque village of Rothenburg, in Germany’s Franconian heartland. At that time, the town still fed a few farm animals within its medieval walls.

Curious Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. Season 7 Episode 703 | 28m 31s Video has Closed Captions | CC. Storybook architecture, Town Hall, Meistertrunk, St. Jakob's Church, monastery museum.

Uncover the villages and byways that line Germany’s Romantic Road and enjoy unusual opportunities for family touring. This ...

A trail leads downhill from Rothenburg’s idyllic castle gardens to the cute, skinny, 600-year-old “Toppler Castle,” the summer home of the town’s mayor in the 15th century, Mayor Toppler.

A trail leads downhill from Rothenburg’s idyllic castle gardens to the cute, skinny, 600-year-old “Toppler Castle,” the summer home of the town’s mayor in the 15th century, Mayor Toppler.

by Rick Steves, May 7, 2025 | Today, Rothenburg's barns are hotels, its livestock are tourists and the city is well on its way to becoming a medieval theme park. Read more here.