Romantic road in Germany: from Würzburg to Neuschwanstein | Information about Germany and travel tips | DW

romantic road (Romantische Strasse) is the most famous and oldest tourist route in Germany. Traveling along this road, you can visit Augsburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dinkelsbühl, see Neuschwanstein Castle and many other sights of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

Fortress Marienberg in Würzburg

Würzburg

Starting point of the route – Würzburg. This university town, surrounded by picturesque vineyards, is located on the River Main. Above Würzburg rises the Marienberg fortress, founded by the local prince-bishops at the beginning of the 13th century. Five hundred years later, they built a new palace for themselves in the city – the Würzburg residence.

View of the residence in Würzburg from the palace park

Würzburg residence

Former seat of the prince-bishops in Würzburg belongs to the most famous Baroque palaces in Europe and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was built according to the design of Balthasar Neumann in the first half of the 18th century. The front foyer features one of the largest ceiling frescoes in the world.

Renaissance Palace in Weikersheim

Weikersheim Palace

The city of Weikersheim is located in the valley of the river Tauber. The main attractions are the Renaissance palace and the park, modeled on the Versailles. The baroque furnishings and decoration have been preserved in their original form.

Princely castle in Tauberbischofsheim

Tauberbischofsheim

“Bishop’s House on the River Tauber” – this is how the name of this small town can be translated. In the 8th century, St. Boniface, Bishop of Mainz, conducted missionary work in these places. In Tauberbischofsheim, sections of the medieval fortress wall, old half-timbered houses and parts of the ancient castle have been preserved.

Town Hall in Röttingen

Röttingen

The history of this city has more than nine centuries. Of particular interest in Röttingen are the baroque town hall, the church of St. Kilian, Brattenstein Castle, as well as the city wall and seven preserved watchtowers.

Market square in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Belongs to the number of the most famous cities in Germany that have preserved a medieval atmosphere. In 1274 it received the status of a free imperial city. A wonderful view of the city and the valley of the Tauber River opens from the observation deck of the town hall, located at a height of 60 meters.

Old town in Dinkelsbühl

Dinkelsbühl

A stop in this city is a must for anyone traveling the Romantic Road. Sixteen medieval towers, four city gates and the old city wall have been preserved in Dinkelsbühl.

Fortress above the city of Harburg in Swabia

Harburg

This Swabian town is dominated by a medieval castle from the 12th century. The region around Harburg is considered a real reserve of ancient history. The museums contain numerous exhibits reminiscent of the Celts, Romans and Alemans who lived here.

Reichstrasse – the central street of the city of Donauwert

Donauwert

Donauwert is located at the confluence of the Wernitz River with the Danube. In the Middle Ages, it was a rich city, which is still reminiscent of the local magnificent architectural monuments. The city is surrounded by fabulous landscapes. Nearby are natural parks: Altmühltal, Augsburg Western Forests, spawning reserve Danube-Wernitz.

Town Hall in Augsburg – an outstanding monument of the Renaissance

Augsburg

Augsburg is one of the oldest cities in Germany. It was founded by the Romans over two thousand years ago. In 1530, Martin Luther’s colleague Philip Melanchthon compiled the Augsburg Confession here, which became the basis for the creation of the Protestant church. Special mention deserves the Golden Hall of the Town Hall – one of the most important monuments of secular Renaissance architecture north of the Alps.

Fuggerei quarter in Augsburg

Fuggerei quarter

Fuggerei – the oldest social housing block in the world that has survived to this day. It was founded in 1516 at the expense of the merchant Jakob Fugger. Those wishing to receive housing here had to live in Augsburg for at least two years, be Catholics and be in poverty through no fault of their own. The Fugger family settled in Augsburg in 1376 and for a long time belonged to the richest in Europe.

Historic center of Landsberg am Lech

Landsberg am Lech

It originated on the Salt Route from Italy to Augsburg. It received the status of a city in the 13th century, and then the right to collect customs salt duties, which became the basis of its wealth. The city has many well-preserved monuments from different eras. The facade of the Old Town Hall was decorated in the style

rococo designed by Dominik Zimmermann.

Allgäu Alps near Wildsteig

wildsteig

The mountainous rural community of Wildsteig is located in the heart of the Pfaffenwinkel region in Southern Bavaria near the famous Wieskirche church. This is a real paradise for those who love to spend time in nature. The picturesque foothills of the Alps and lakes seem to invite tourists to hike – on foot or by bicycle, for example, along one of the pilgrimage trails – the Way of St. James.

Ceiling painting in Wieskirch

Wieskirche

In 1738, near the Bavarian village of Steingaden, a peasant couple saw tears coming out of the eyes of the figure of Jesus Christ. Shortly after this miracle, a small chapel for pilgrims was built here, and a temple was erected seven years later. Church today Wieskirche It is considered one of the most important monuments of the Rococo era in the world and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

View of Neuschwanstein Castle from the Marienbrücke Bridge

Neuschwanstein Castle

This castle rises on the last kilometers of the Romantic Road in the midst of a fabulous mountain landscape. It was founded in 1868 for the Bavarian King Ludwig II. According to Richard Wagner, Neuschwanstein built in the style of real German knight’s castles. He gained worldwide fame, becoming the prototype of the palace for the Disney cartoon “Sleeping Beauty”.

Hohenschwangau – Neo-Gothic monument

Hohenschwangau Castle

Lock Hohenschwangau, located near Neuschwanstein, appeared here earlier. It was the summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs. Ludwig II spent part of his childhood there. Hohenschwangau Castle was built in neo-Gothic style in the first half of the 19th century. In this castle, Ludwig II repeatedly met with the composer Richard Wagner.

St. Magnes Church and Castle Hoes Schloss in Füssen

Füssen

The city of Füssen on the Lech River is the final destination of our journey along the German Romantic Road. Its history goes back to the time of the ancient Romans. In the Middle Ages, the prince-bishops of Augsburg erected a summer residence over it – the Hohe Schloss castle in the late Gothic style. The city is rich in sights, among which the monastery of St. Mang should be especially mentioned.