Romantic Road Part 1 Wurzburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

August 5-7, 2016-

The Romantic Road is one of Germany's most beloved and well known tourist attractions since 1950. The name Romantic Road expresses that many guests from home and abroad feel on seeing medieval towns or the fairy-tale castle at Neuschwanstein- fascination and being transported back in time. The Romantic Road spans from Wurzburg to Fussen. The landscape drastically changes along the route from north to south with rolling hills, countryside, river valleys, and vineyards to the mountain scenery.

Our first day started when Jeremy finished up at work and we packed up the car to leave. We arrived in Wurzburg. We begin our afternoon at the Residenz Wurzburg, which is a palace with beautiful gardens surrounding it. The palace is furnished ornately and each room represents what you would have seen if the family still lived there today.

Wurzburg is boasting with history, flowers, and amazing architecture. We wandered the streets discovering amazing beauty in every direction. The cathedral below is the Neumunster, from the 11th century built in a Romanesque style. The Marienberg fortress sits high above the city, with gorgeous panoramic views of the city of Wurzburg and river below. It is the most dominating feature of the city, looking up at it's fortress walls past the vineyards. 704 AD the first Wurzburg church was built here. At the beginning of the 13th century fortifications were built around the church. The fortress was expanded and renovated multiple times since then with Renaissance and Baroque periods. Inside the fortress you must see- Scherenberg Gate and the Marienkirche, one of the oldest round churches in Germany, we were able to go inside but it was under construction so no pictures from the outside. We were lucky to have a great day with blue skies and sunshine to stand within the garden and admire the view.

Tauberbischofsheim is our next stop along the Romantic Road. This town came under control of the Prince-Bishops of Mainz in the 13th century and they were responsible for building the castle we still see standing today. Part of the castle now holds a museum and the old watchman's tower and living quarters, the Turmersturm, is the symbol of the town center. Many of the older buildings in the lower part of the town date back to the Middle Ages. The Rincker house, former home of the hospital administrator, built in 1678. The town's oldest building, the Chapel of St, Peter was built in 1180. Prior to 1850, the town was known as Bischofsheim. Famous for fencing, in 1988 the town's fencing team achieved its greatest success in their history at the XXIV Olympics in Seoul winning 6 out of 16 medals. Walking around town you can see unique statues and fencing clubs, fans.

Lauda-Kongishofen comes next along our journey as we drive into town we can see on both sides of the road miles and miles of vines. The entire town is decorated with these vines which is a big part of their industry. We of course try their summer wine! Lauda-Kongishofen is part of the wine growing area of Tauber-Franconia, which is part of the Baden region. Baden is the third largest wine growing region of thirteen such regions in Germany. Because of the historical affiliation to Franconia, many Baden region wines are filled in the traditional Bocksbeutel bottles.

We camped in Bad Mergentheim for one night at Campingplatz Bad Mergentheim which is right off the Romantic Road and close to the town. We pitched a tent in the wide open space provided, this campsite was not as crowded as others we have encountered. We had plenty of room to enjoy the nature that surrounded us and just be together. We made a fire and after dinner enjoyed s'mores!

Our second day starts off by exploring the town of Bad Mergentheim. The castle of the Teutonic knights is one of the main tourist sights in the historical town center, the town itself dates back to the Roman times and the 11th century. There is a museum within the castle walls today. These days Bad Mergentheim is considered the largest spa resort in its region. The spa waters were discovered in the 19th century and the development of the spa tourism helped the economic health of the town. The town was used as a care center for wounded Soldiers, which helped to save the people and the town during World War II.

Igersheim are amazing ruins sitting above the city of Bad Mergentheim. In Germany there are multiple locations where you can pick your own flower bouquet, usually sunflowers. Payment is based on the honor system.

Weikersheim is our next town along the Romantic Road trail. Weikersheim Palace and Garden is widely regarded as the most beautiful palace in the region. The outside of the Palace the gardens are beautifully landscaped with colorful cast statues, and multiples lines of different variations of flowers. In 1586, Count Wolfgang of Hohenlohe took up residence in the former moated castle, and promptly ordered the construction of the new palace. From the air, you can see the unusual shape of the Weikersheim Palace it is triangular! The orangery greenhouse adds an amazing side to the triangle structure. Within the city, the city museum is entered under the slogan "the presence of the past" which is the slogan of the town and gives insight into the history of the city. The Blue cap is an old prison tower that has been built with the city wall in the year 1390.

Rottingen also lies along the Tauber Valley is a small town of less than 2,000 in population. Much of the 17th century walls have survived as well as 7 of the original 14 watchtowers. Many half-timberred buildings help to enhance this medieval town landscape. The most impressive building is the 1750's Baroque style Rathaus, town hall, which located in the Marktplatz. 

Creglingen is our next stop along the route. The Celts founded the town between 200 and 100 BC. One of the most historic sights is the remains of the Celtic fortification wall, which gives us an idea about how long there has been settlement in this area. A watchtower remains along this historical wall. Another must see is the Herrgottskirche, the Church of our Lord, which was built in the 14th Century after a farmer is said to have found an undamaged communion host in the field that he was ploughing. It is famous for the wooden alter by the woodworker Tilman, which is considered as one of the most valuable examples of religious alter carvings in the Middles Ages.

We decided to camp again for one night in Rothenburg ob der Tauber at Campingplatz Tauberromantik before exploring the town of Rothenburg the next day. This is our last stop along the Romantic Road for us this weekend. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is by far our favorite town to visit this weekend, quite possibly in all of Germany so far. This walled medieval town is one of the only ones left in Germany. The beautiful buildings, walls, and alleys have led to this town becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bavaria.