Experience Medieval Europe in Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, Germany

To enter Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a small German village located on the western border of Bavaria, is to step back into another time. A well-preserved relic of days gone, Rothenburg captures the essence and atmosphere of a Medieval village even in the midst of our modern world.

A small Bavarian town, the history of Rothenburg is for the most part an unremarkable one. Its significance today and popularity as a tourist destination comes as a result of the town’s survival and unchanging nature. Declared a free town in 1274 by the Holy Roman Empire it achieved its greatest growth during the 15th century. For the majority of its history it was forgotten and neglected by the world around it.

Die Meistertrunk

The most incredible story of Rothenburg’s survival comes from 1631, during the Thirty Years War. A part of the resistance against the Holy Roman Empire, it fell to imperial control on October 30th of that year. The imperial forces in Rothenburg were led by General Tilly.

According to the story, Tilly planned to raze the town to the ground as punishment for its resistance. However he accepted a drink from what is called a Humpen, a massive 7 pint vessel, filled with the local Rothenburg wine. After taking his drink he made a deal: should any man in the town be able to drink the entire Humpen in one draught, he would not level the town.

Enter the ex-mayor of Rothenburg, a man by the name of Nunsch. He said he could perform the feat, and did. This is, in the annals of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, die Meistertrunk (masterful feat of drinking). Tilly was good on his word, and the town of Rothenburg was saved. Since that time it has been almost completely unchanged. The Meistertrunk is reenacted often in the town, bringing this amazing display of Rothenburg’s history to life.