On the border of Hesse and Bavaria, in the Odenwald, is the town of Michelstadt. It’s curious, because its name contains within it a word that most english speaking people would think it should be a city, when in fact, the germans use the denotation for both town and city. Technically, it is considered a Kleinstadt, or small city, or what we call a town and should carry the stadt on the end of its name.

Michelstadt

The town is one of the oldest within what is called the inner Odenwald. There has been some sort of settlement there ever since the eighth century. Like other small towns of this nature, its layout has a certain lazy circle about it, indicating it was protected by some kind of fortification or wall. Evidence of this can be found on Kellerbergstraße, where part of the wall remains, and Mauerstraße where it can be seen in its former glory.

Elephantenhaus – Mauerstraße – Michelstadt, Germany

Getting There

To get to Michelstadt you will take either the 45 or 47 from the north or the south. On the north of town is a very large parking area which we used, conveniently located close to the town’s center.

Zum Grüner Baum – Großer Gasse – Michelstadt, Germany

Oberer Pfarrgasse – Michelstadt, Germany

Town Hall

The Town Hall, or Rathaus, is one of the more prominent buildings in the town. It stands a bit off-center in the Marktplatz and has an old press, a scale and other items associated with the buildings history in the open area underneath it.

Altes Rathaus – Marktplatz – Michelstadt, Germany

The Marktplatz contains a main foutain, which the town appears to decorate for holidays and other occasions.

Marktbrunnen – Marktplatz – Michelstadt, Germany

Löwenhof – Marktplatz – Michelstadt, Germany

Michelstadt Fortress

The Michelstadt Fortress, or Burg Michelstadt, is probably more of a stronghold than any castle or fortress. Though it sits on a high wall with a moat, it is not as impressive as other german castles or fortresses. Today it houses a mill museum, which unfortunately was not open at the time of our visit.

Old Wall – Kellerbergstraße – Michelstadt, Germany

Diebsturm

The Diebsturm, or Thieves’ Tower, is part of and sits next to Burg Michelstadt. The sump or cellar of the tower was used as a prison starting sometime in the early fourteenth century. Prisoners were lowered down on a rope into the cellar to wait our their term. It is one of the more prominent features of the town.

Ericka and Patti – Diebsturm – Marktplatz – Michelstadt, Germany

Dr. I. E. Lichtigfeld Museum

This museum preserves the jewish past of the town, neatly preserved in the former Synagoge Michelstadt that was destroyed during the prelude to the second world war.

Here one can get a sense of the small jewish population that used to inhabit the town, which also has numerous Stolpersteine^[1]these are small brass memorials laid in the ground for jews and people who were killed, deported or driven to suizide commemorating the people of the town that lost their lives. They can be found throughout Germany and parts of Europe.

The museum also backs up to the old town wall and has a nice little park, where one can quietly sit and enjoy the weather.

Dr. I. E. Lichtigfeld Museum – Alter Stadtmauer – Michelstadt, Germany

Dr. I. E. Lichtigfeld Museum – Park – Michelstadt, Germany

Restaurants

Due to its size, there is not much to choose from, but there are a few restaurants in the Marktplatz. We chose a brewery close to the edge of town for lunch.

Michelstädter Rathausbräu

The Michelstädter Rathausbräu is a brewery and restaurant. It serves good food typical of the area. They don’t speak much english, so be prepared to whip out your translation guide or phone. However, the food is very good and they have their own brew on tap.

Rathausbräu Restaurant and Brewery – Mauerstraße – Michelstadt, Germany

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↑1	these are small brass memorials laid in the ground for jews and people who were killed, deported or driven to suizide

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is not doubt a miracle town amongst towns in Germany. Partially bombed during World War II, it took an American officer and the German commander of the city at the time to spare this town. The results of which, we are able to enjoy this middle-age town as it appears today, forty percent of which was nevertheless destroyed by allied bombing before it was stopped.

Panorama Tauber river valley – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

It is located in Bavaria and is about one and a half to two hours drive from the Frankfurt area on the A3 and A7, weather permitting of course. There are several parking areas to choose from for visitors, though we found street parking a block or so further out for free.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

If it weren’t for it’s strange history at the end of World War II, this town would be easily overlooked. Not necessarily by Germans, but definitely by international tourists always looking for some interesting sidebar or reason to visit. Luckily, even on a Saturday, we did not find it all that busy for a tourist destination. We only hope that it will stay that way.

Patti and Erick – Seelbrunnen – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Patti and Dana – Seelbrunnen – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Ericka and Dana – Seelbrunnen – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Patti and Ericka – Seelbrunnen – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Seelbrunnen – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Marktplatz

The center square hosts various shops and restaurants, as well as the Town Hall and Ratstrinkstube Clock Tower. Saint George’s fountain can also be found here toward the lower part of the square.

Business shields – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Italian Ice place – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Spitalgasse with Spitalturm in distance – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Marktplatz – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Rathausturm – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Apotheke shield – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

St. George fountain – Marktplatz – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Dana – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Towers

Rothenburg has many towers on all sides of the town, especially on the eastern side. The main entrance towers are of course grander, but the little ones are no less impressive.

Gallows Gate – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Burgtorturm – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Old unused staircase – Burgtorturm – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Front and entrance – Burgtorturm – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Röderturm – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

The City Wall

It is one of only three towns in Germany which is still encompassed by a fully intact town wall. The eastern part of the wall, the one which we were actually able to walk on, was mostly repaired after its destruction at the end of the war.

Deutschland_RothenburgObDerTauber_92

Several parts are boarded up or unreachable, but many people from around the world contributed funds in the effort to reconstruct it, making it possible to enjoy it today. There are several main entry points, Gallows Gate, Thomas Tower and one near Ruckesse Tower, to name a few.

Sterngasse and the city wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Tower on city wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Spitaltorturm – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Stairs at entry point – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Narrow entrance – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Gabi, Ericka, Dana and Patti – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Wall with removable roof – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Siebersturm – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Donation thank you – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Old guard tower – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Area by Röderturm – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Motte – Röderturm – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Röderturm gate – City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Thomas tower – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Flowers and grape leaves by City wall – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Restaurants

There are many restaurants to choose from in Rothenburg, many of which are located in or near the town square. Luckily, we failed on locating an Italian restaurant that was open, but it is August and the Italians are notorious for taking the entire month off for vacation. That forced to find the amazing place that we did below.

Reichsküchenmeister – Das Herz von Rothenburg

If you are able to obtain a seat in the garden, one of the go to places in Rothenburg for a weekend lunch or early dinner.

Reichskückenmeisterer – Herz von Rothenburg restaurant – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

The garden is just amazing, a totally relaxed atmosphere where we were fortunate enough to have a very responsive waiter. The menu is varied enough where one should be able to find something to fit their culinary needs.