Rothenburg ob der Tauber Off The Beaten Path

The Double Bridge (early fourteenth century) is a pleasant walk outside of Rothenburg.
It is found to the west of the walled town (use Kobolzeller Gate).
It was fortified just after the devastating earthquake of 1356 and formed part of Rothenburg's defenses.

This charming church located just down the hill from Rothenburg ob der Tauber is nestled in the quaint village of Detwang. This architectual gem was founded in 968 and is home to a beautiful alterpiece made in 1508 by famous Wurzburg Master wood carver Tilman Riemenschneider.

In the very south of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, far behind Siebers-Turm (the tower you may see on most of the postcards from Ploelein) you may walk towards Spitalsbastei and will pass by Spitalskirche and the quite big hospital of Rothenburg.
You may walk inside the innercourt and will see some interesting old building next to the townwall.

Behind the church of St. Jakob you will see a large building, belonging to the church and when you get closer to it, you will see this beautifully decorated entrance-gate of that building.
When you enlarge my picture, you may see the fine details of these great sculptures.
I made a little picture-combination of the building and the best entrance-gate (the one of the tower). There is still another gate there that looks nice !

This old smithy dates back to the year 1649 and is one ofthe most beautiful houses that you may see, when you walk on top of the townwall between Galgentor and Spitalstor.
Today the building is privately owned, but when you get there, you will still see plenty of the tools and instruments exposed there in front of the house and in that little terrace under the arcades of the building.
The beautiful guild-sign of this smithy is shown in one of my "Local custom"-tips !

Franziskanerkirche is another important church of Rothenburg, but it might be easily overseen, as it does not have a high spire and it is almost a bit hidden by trees, when you walk in Herrngasse from Marktplatz to Burgtor. The most important work of art, that you may see there is an early work of Tilman Riemenschneider The altar shows Saint Franziscus getting his stigmatas.
The church is open during the day and you may enter freely and without restrictions !

Don't skip St. Blasius chapel, when you are interested in romanic churches. Get inside this lovely church and take a closer look for the remains of the beautiful frescos !
What a pity this building was mis-used a long time as a lapidary-museum at the beginning of the 20th century.
The park around the chapel is also a great place to relax a bit from touristy Rothenburg. Ordinary tourists are obviously totally skipping this place !

The chapel of St. Blasius is a small church outside of the "Burgtor" at the est-end of Rothenburg.
Inside that church you may see some great remains of romanic frescoes.
This building was built as a part of the old palace in 1142. It was partly destroyed by an earth-quake in 1356 and became a church in the year 1400.
Today it is a place to remember the victims of both Worldwars.
You may enter St.Blasius chapel freely and without restrictions during the day.