In the first part of our Medieval Pursuits series, we took you on a trip through medieval France, Spain and England. The journey now continues with an exploration of regions that today are part of the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany.
Your drive through medieval history in Germany begins in Frankfurt. The tall, glass-enclosed buildings that pierce the city’s skyline distinguish this modern metropolis, but visitors willing to look a bit deeper will discover a rich medieval heritage. Almost 80 percent of the city was destroyed during World War II, but some medieval remains and rebuilt replicas offer a nod to the area’s deep history.
“Near to the skyscrapers you can find cozy Apfelwein (apple wine) pubs, and at the heart of the bustling city center you can discover historical sites again and again,” says Daniela Fette-Rakowski, sales and marketing director at Villa Kennedy. History buffs should look for the 300-foot tower that marks the Imperial Cathedral, which was constructed beginning in the 13th century and is the site of older churches dating back to the seventh century. Ten emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned here between 1562 and 1792, and nowadays, from April through October, visitors can climb all the way to the top of the structure.
Outside in the square, the picturesque Bavarian-style buildings recall the medieval era, but they are actually replicas, rebuilt after World War II. “A reconstruction/retro movement can currently be witnessed,” says Fette-Rakowski. “Some of the old buildings have already been rebuilt from photos.”
Two hours southeast of Frankfurt, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in all of Europe. Rothenburg was first built in 1142, and it was one of the most important city-states of the era. Intact ancient walls surround a maze of meandering cobblestone streets and more than 40 towers and gates still remain, a testament to the prominence of Rothenburg as a free imperial city.
“Rothenburg is located at the crossing of the Romantic Road and the Castle Road, therefore it is an ideal location to stay several nights and make excursions into the surrounding area,” says Annemieke Boettger of the Rothenburg Tourism Office.
Make sure to visit the Medieval Crime and Justice Museum, which tells the story of the (mostly) dark side of the period’s primitive judicial system. The building that houses the museum’s relics carries its own historical significance; it was built in the late 14th century as St. John’s Commandery. Next door, St. John’s Church showcases the intricately carved Holy Blood Altarpiece, a masterpiece made by gothic sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider in the early 16th century.
Continuing east, Regensburg, a Bavarian town on the shores of the Danube River and declared a World Heritage site in 2006, was a vital trading hub in the medieval era. This architectural mosaic melds gothic, Romanesque and Roman styles, tangibly reflecting the foreign influences that filtered into the area. Historic churches, monasteries, houses, narrow passageways, a town square and market are still intact.
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