Tauber Valley starting at the Double Bridge in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Taubertalweg, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber(341 m above sea level)

Blick über die Doppelbrücke im Taubertal auf die Stadtsilhouette von Rothenburg ob der Tauber Blick über die Doppelbrücke im Taubertal auf die Stadtsilhouette von Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Anyone visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber should explore not only the historic old town but also the idyllic Tauber Valley. The town’s unique location high above the river gives Rothenburg its distinctive silhouette.

Especially when approaching from the Hohenlohe Plain, one of the most beautiful views of the medieval town unfolds: towers, city walls, and half-timbered houses seem to rise almost unchanged from the landscape.

The Tauber Valley is the ideal starting point for hikes and bike tours. Numerous well-marked trails lead through a diverse cultural landscape featuring meadows, forests, vineyards, and historic buildings. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll or an extended day trip—the area around Rothenburg ob der Tauber offers impressive natural experiences and fascinating glimpses into history.

 

Just a few minutes’ walk south of the Spitaltor, directly on the Tauber River, lies Wildbad Rothenburg—a place of tranquility, culture, and relaxation. Built between 1894 and 1903, the spa complex, with its impressive architecture, resembles a fairy-tale castle. Today, this historic complex serves as a conference center and venue for concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events. The spacious park is perfect for strolling, picnicking, or playing a game on the historic wooden bowling alley.

 

Following the course of the river, you’ll reach the famous double bridge alongside the neighboring Eselsbrücke. This unusual structure came into being because the original bridge did not span the river completely and was later expanded to include a second arch. In the Middle Ages, it was part of a major trade route and served as a customs bridge—a key factor in the prosperity of the former imperial city. After its destruction during World War II, it was faithfully reconstructed and is now considered one of the most picturesque photo spots in the Tauber Valley.

 

Behind the Double Bridge begins the Tauber Mill Trail, one of the most charming hiking trails around Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Numerous historic mills line the Tauber River—an exceptionally high concentration that has shaped the valley for centuries. Information panels detail their economic significance and technical evolution. Many of the former mills have now been lovingly restored and are used as homes or guesthouses.

 

The Mühlenweg is part of the diverse network of hiking trails around Rothenburg, which includes a total of 13 signposted routes. All trails offer magnificent views of the Old Town and combine the enjoyment of nature with fascinating insights into the region’s history.

 

A special highlight in the Tauber Valley is the Topplerschlösschen, dating back to 1388. This small building, erected on tall pillars, once served as the summer residence of the legendary Rothenburg mayor Heinrich Toppler. Its unusual architectural style makes the castle unique to this day and even inspired later buildings in Germany. The historic building is privately owned and is one of the most popular attractions along the Tauber Valley Cycling and Hiking Trail.

 

Those who follow the Tauber further upstream or downstream will reach Detwang, a district of Rothenburg. Here, visitors will find two nature-oriented campgrounds as well as the Romanesque Church of St. Peter and Paul, featuring an impressive Holy Cross Altar by Tilman Riemenschneider. From Detwang, you’ll also be treated to more stunning views of the old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber before the Tauber Valley stretches on toward Bettwar and Creglingen.

 

Whether on foot or by bike—the Tauber Valley combines stunning nature with a unique cultural landscape. Historic bridges, medieval mills, romantic river landscapes, and extraordinary sights make the valley one of the most beautiful destinations around Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Those who want to experience the city from a new perspective will find unforgettable views, varied hiking and biking trails, and numerous places to linger and enjoy the scenery.

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W3: Kleine Wanderung durchs Taubertal

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

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Kobolzeller Kirche

Weinsteige, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Die kleine Kirche an der Tauber, zu Füßen der Stadt, wurde zwischen 1472 und 1505 errichtet. Sie wurde 1525 während des Bauernkrieges geplündert und dann ohne Nutzung nur notdürftig erhalten. 1804 wurde sie verkauft und entweiht.

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Herrnmühle Vacation Rental/Guesthouse - Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Taubertalweg 54, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

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Sauturm

91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Sauturm - also known as Wildbadturm - was built between 1400 and 1450.

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Kalkturm

Mühlacker 4, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The area around the Kalkturm offers a particularly vivid glimpse of Rothenburg’s medieval city fortifications.

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Stöberleinsturm

Spitalhof, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Stöberleinsturm, also known as the Hundsturm, was built between 1375 and 1380.

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Kobollzeller Gate

Kobolzeller Steige, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Äußere Kobolzeller Gate was built around 1360 and marks the southwestern boundary of Rothenburg’s first urban expansion.

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Teufelskanzel Viewpoint

Mühlacker, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Teufelskanzel is a striking lookout point above the Kobolzeller Gate.

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Spitalgasse 28, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

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Hegereiter House, Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Spitalhof, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

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Spitaltorturm, Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Spitalhof, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Sauturm is one of the most impressive features of Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s medieval city fortifications. Its strategic location on the south and west sides of the Old Town made it an important defensive strongpoint.

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Siebersturm

Spitalgasse, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Siebersturm is one of the oldest surviving towers of Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s city fortifications. It was built in the last quarter of the 13th century and continues to impress today with its massive construction of hewn stone blocks.

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Accessible Spitalhof

Spitalhof, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

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Landwehr-Bräu am Turm

Spitalgasse 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Gaststätte mit lokal gebrautem Bier und regionaler Küche in einem mittelalterlichen Gebäude mit Garten.

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Plönlein

Plönlein, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

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Grand Cru Chocolaterie on Plönlein

Plönlein 3, 91541

Pastry Shop, Chocolate Shop & Classes.

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“An der Eich” Viewpoint

An der Eich, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The “An der Eich” lookout point offers an impressive panoramic view of the Tauber Valley.

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Weinlehrpfad Stein und Wein in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Weinsteige, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Für alle, die sich mit dem Thema Wein intensiver beschäftigen möchten, wartet ein Weinlehrpfad auf interessierte Besucher.

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Glocke Winery and Hotel - Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Plönlein 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Cozy hotel in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. 24 rooms, large family rooms, child-friendly, discounted rates, garage, winery, wine cellar tastings, Franconian and regional cuisine

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Plönlein

Plönlein, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Das weltbekannte Plönlein mit seinem schiefen Fachwerkhaus, dem historischen Brunnen sowie dem Siebersturm und dem Kobolzeller Tor ist das wohl bekannteste Fotomotiv Rothenburgs ob der Tauber.
St. Jakob in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Klostergasse 15, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Im Zentrum Rothenburgs liegt die evangelisch-lutherische Stadtpfarrkirche St. Jakob (Bauzeit 1311-1485) mit ihren zahlreichen Kunstschätzen.
Historiengewölbe mit Staatsverlies

Marktplatz 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburger Turmweg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Spaziergang auf und entlang der Stadtmauer – Rothenburgs Turmweg

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Rothenburg ob der Tauber Castle Garden

Burggarten, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Burggarten in Rothenburg o. d. T. is a small park high above the Tauber River.
Marktplatz Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Marktplatz 2, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Der Marktplatz befindet sich zentral in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, direkt vor dem historischen Rathaus.
Medieval Crime Museum

Burggasse 3-5, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The former Johanniter Commandery in Rothenburg (built in 1396) houses Germany’s most significant museum of legal history, the Medieval Crime Museum.
German Christmas Museum

Herrngasse 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Discover the history of the most time-honored family holiday across more than 250 square meters.
Rothenburg Museum

Klosterhof 5, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Museum in the former Dominican convent dedicated to the history of the formerly free imperial city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Auf den Spuren des jüdischen Rothenburgs

Judengasse, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Stadtführung zur jüdischen Geschichte in Rothenburg
“An der Eich” Viewpoint

An der Eich, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The “An der Eich” lookout point offers an impressive panoramic view of the Tauber Valley.
Teufelskanzel Viewpoint

Mühlacker, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Teufelskanzel is a striking lookout point above the Kobolzeller Gate.
Bettelvogt Tower

91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Bettelvogt Tower—also known as the Gravedigger’s Tower—dates back to the 13th or 14th century and is integrated into Rothenburg’s city fortifications.
Castle Gate

Burggarten, 9151 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The castle gate serves as an impressive entrance to the castle gardens and is one of the most striking gate structures in Rothenburg’s city fortifications.
Former Jewish Prayer Hall in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Herrngasse 21, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Jewish community, newly founded in 1875, initially established a prayer hall and a mikveh.
Faulturm

Friedrich-Hörner Weg, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Faulturm is one of the most remarkable examples of Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s medieval city fortifications.
Galgentor

Galgengasse, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Gallows Gate once led to Köpfleinswiese. The former place of execution in Rothenburg is located at the junction with Würzburger Straße. The traffic lights are visible from the Galgentor. The square in question was once located there. En passant, you now also know why the gate is now known as the Würzburg Gate, as it leads towards the town on the Main. Back to the unpleasant past: the last execution is documented in the Rothenburg ob der Tauber town archives for the year 1776. The executioner was an employee in the service of the town.
Memorial Stele "On the Bitter Lament" in the Castle Garden of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Burggarten, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Burggarten and the Blasius Chapel were once the site of a horrific massacre of the Jewish population. A memorial stone inscribed with a poignant dirge commemorates the Röttingen pogrom of 1298, in which 500 Jews were murdered.
Gerlach Forge, Rothenburg

Röderschütt, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The building is a lovingly restored replica; it was completely destroyed during an air raid in 1945.

Hegereiter House, Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Spitalhof, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The gamekeeper‘s house is a real eye-catcher with its pointed tent roof and slender, round stair tower.

Henkersturm

Klingenschütt 9, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Executioner‘s Tower was likely built around 1408 along with the neighboring Powder Tower and served for a long time as the residence of the town executioner.
Judengasse 10 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Judengasse 10, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Die Judengasse 10 ist ein außergewöhnliches Kulturdenkmal in Rothenburg ob der Tauber mit einer historischen Mikwe im Keller.
Judengasse, Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Judengasse, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Judengasse, with its distinctive half-timbered houses, has borne this name since 1371; Jews and Christians lived side by side here. It is considered the “only surviving late-medieval Judengasse in Europe.”
Judenkirchhof am Schrannenplatz Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Schrannenplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Einstiger Friedhof der jüdischen Gemeinde im Mittelalter. Bereits im Mittelalter zerstört und abgetragen. Heute ein Parkplatz. Gedenktafel am Schrannenhof
Jewish Dance House, Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Galgengasse , 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The banquet hall at the corner of Judengasse and Weißer Turm—known as the “Judentanzhaus”—still serves as a reminder of the community.
Jewish Rothenburg _ Stained-Glass Window in the East Choir of St. Jakob Church

Kirchplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The stained-glass windows in the east choir of St. James Church (1390) depict the Gathering of Manna. In this scene, Jews are gathering the bread from heaven, which ensures their survival in the desert.
Kalkturm

Mühlacker 4, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The area around the Kalkturm offers a particularly vivid glimpse of Rothenburg’s medieval city fortifications.

Kapellenplatz, Rothenburg _ Rabbi Meir ben Baruch

Kapellenplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

After the first mention of a Jew in Rothenburg in 1180, the city experienced a flourishing of Jewish culture. The famous Talmud scholar Rabbi Meir ben Baruch of Rothenburg taught here for over forty years.
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