Creglingen is famous for its fachwerk buildings and medieval town walls but it also has plenty more to offer. Visitors can view the various towers and gates around the town such as Rothenberger Tor, Nordlinger Tor, and Romschlossle.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Quedlinburg is like an old movie set with timber buildings, windy lanes, and a castle on a hill. It’s a photographer’s paradise.
Creglingen
The small Tauber Valley town of Creglingen was founded by the Celts and got its first charter as a town in the 14th century. It is home to two historic landmarks that attest of its past: the Herrgottskiche and the Lindleinturm, a small museum built on top of a medieval tower.
The town’s most famous sight is the Marienaltar in the Herrgottskirche church, a masterpiece of altar carving by Tilman Riemenschneider. The shrine is a pilgrimage site since it was commissioned by the local ruling family, the Hohenlohe-Brauneck, in 1384.
You can see most of the sights on a walk that starts from the large car park by the river. Staying at the Tauber Lodge* is a great option as it is right in the heart of the historic center, with rooms and apartments that are really cosy. It also has a superb breakfast and friendly hosts.
Wallerstein
Located along the southern portion of the Romantic Road, Wallerstein is home to one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Germany. It’s a must-visit with plenty to see and do including the Wallerstein Castle on top of a giant rock which can be scaled for terrific views over the countryside.
The town’s historic center has an old marketplace with fountain, historic buildings, and half-timbered houses. Also worth a visit are the city walls with the turreted Bayertor gate which was used as an entrance during medieval times and has ornate details on its façade.
The Fugger-und Welser-Erlebnismuseum is an interesting museum that instead of displaying artifacts builds an experience of the period with movies, sound, and other interactive displays. Its a great way to learn more about the two merchant families that left massive legacies in Augsburg that have impacted the world. It’s one of the must-see museums on the Romantic Road.
Nordlingen
One of the most unusual sights along the Romantic Road is Nordlingen, a beautiful medieval town that has a fully intact city wall. Its quaint streets are lined with half-timbered houses and gabled buildings. Stroll by the 15th-century trading hall, called the Tanzhaus, where local storks are frequent visitors, and take a look at the 13th-century Rathaus, which serves as the town’s parliament.
The town’s residents quarried the stone used for their walls and buildings without knowing that they were doing so in a circular depression created by a meteor impact. That’s why the town’s walls shimmer like diamonds when you walk by them.
Nordlingen also has a gorgeous main square, the Marienkapelle church, and a pretty stream that feeds a small waterfall. And, it escaped the destruction that WWII inflicted on many other German towns and villages, so its historic walls are very well-preserved. They’re even open for you to tour on the sentry walk!
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most picturesque medieval towns in Germany. Its old squares and tucked-away corners are full of towers, fountains, and gates. It is also home to a number of beautiful churches and a unique museum. The Medieval Crime and Justice Museum of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is Europe’s largest museum of medieval legal rights. Its gruesome, yet informative exhibits can be a little frightening for children but it is still worth a visit.
The town has been drawing tourists since the 19th century when painters stumbled upon it. Their paintings of the picturesque landscape captivated their audience and helped to make Rothenburg famous. It’s worth strolling through the town to see the quaint streets and half-timbered houses. You should also visit the Town Hall Tower for a view over the city, or take in St Jakob’s Church with its 500-year-old altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider, the Michaelangelo of German wood carvers.