According to Picktrue, the most beautiful and romantic part of Germany is located on the ‘ Romantic Strasse.’. The Romantic Route is an approximately 385-kilometre route that takes you past places in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, located in southern Germany. The romantic route starts in the town of Würzburg and immediately starts with a number of remarkable historical treasures such as the Mainbrücke, Marienburg Fortress and the Bishop’s Palace. The route ends many kilometers later in Füssen, in Ostallgäu where nature is overwhelming. While following this very special route you will pass all kinds of villages and towns with the most diverse, romantic and sometimes remarkable sights. Where early trade was conducted along this route, you will now find the most beautiful fortresses, castles, churches, monasteries and medieval town centres. The route is clearly visible. There are white-lined brown signs along the road with ‘Romantische Straße’ on them. It’s an experience we don’t want to withhold from you.
Top 10 sights of the Romantic Road
#1. Neuschwanstein Castle
You should actually see this castle of castles in Bavaria once in your life. After all, we are talking about a German castle that served as an example for the world-famous Disneyland castle of Sleeping Beauty as you can see in Disneyland Paris .and in America’s Disneyland parks. Neuschwanstein Castle is in reality slightly less romantic than the one in the world-famous amusement park. At the behest of King Louis II of Bavaria, construction of Neuschwanstein Castle began around 1869. His inspiration for this castle was taken from many trips and visits to other castles. During the construction, which King Louis II financed entirely himself, quite a few plans were adjusted, making it more and more expensive than the original planning. Unfortunately, because of this, he only lived as a lonely man in his beloved castle for just under 186 days. In the year 1886 he died and six weeks later Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public. With this, the government hoped to be able to settle all debts that arose during construction. Of the more than two hundred different rooms, only fifteen are fully finished and furnished.
#2. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
In the Bavaria region of Germany, this beautiful medieval city can be visited, which is also on the romantic route. Rothenburg ob der Tauber knows how to convey romance to its visitors like no other city. With more than a thousand years of history about kings, emperors and citizens, there are more than enough places to visit with exciting stories. At Pentecost even legendary events are re-enacted. But most visitors mainly come around the Christmas period. In addition to the Christmas museum, the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas market is incredibly popular and for good reason. Here, too, the medieval town decor has an excellent effect on the public.
#3. Wurzburg Residence
In this southern part of Germany you can visit the baroque palace of Würzburg, Residenz Würzburger. When the construction of this palace started around 1720, one could not have imagined how beautiful the final result would be. The trough vault without supporting pillars above the stairwell is an excellent example of the engineering with which it was constructed. Influencers such as Balthasar Neumann, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Antonio Bossi and Robert de Cotte were approached for the design, construction and decoration. Residenz Würzburg has more than 345 different rooms and a large wine cellar. The stairwell alone with the ceiling painting by Tiepolo is an attraction in itself. But the Hofkirche is also breathtaking.
#4. Augsburg Old Town
The university town of Augsburg is located just below Oberhausen. The city that was founded by the Romans has some very beautiful sights. Where once the army camps were set up, you can now spot beautiful buildings such as the St. Ulrich und Afra church, the Rathaus, the Perlachturm and the Schaezler-Palais. In the old district of the Fuggerei you can admire some 67 houses from 1516, which are now known as the oldest social housing in the world. And in the St. Anna-Kirche you can admire, among other things, the funerary chapel of the influential family Fugger. In addition to these cultural attractions, the city also has pleasant squares with accompanying terraces and entertainment.
#5. Schloss Weikersheim
The German district of Baden-Wüurttemberg on the river Tauber is best known for the well-known and popular castle ‘Schloss Weikersheim’. Around the twelfth century, the construction of this palace, which at the time belonged to the imperial family of Hohenlohe, started. The palace can be accessed through a seventeenth-century gate. In the courtyard you will find a watchtower from the Middle Ages. Inside the palace you can admire beautiful halls. The knights’ hall ‘Rittersaal’ is richly decorated with ornate ceiling paintings, animals on the wall and paintings framed in gold. With a walk through the castle gardens you will automatically come across statues that represent different episodes of court life from the eighteenth century. Everything is neatly maintained and beautifully landscaped.
#6. Wieskirche
The Wieskirche pilgrimage church is located on the edge of the Alps in the Steingaden municipality of Bavaria. The full name of the church is ‘Wallfahrtskirche zum Gegeißelten Heiland auf der Wies’. The church became famous after tears flowed down the face in the wooden effigy of the scourging of Christ on June 14, 1738. Since then, a veritable pilgrimage has started to witness this. Soon the influx of visitors could no longer cope and the plan was conceived to build a larger church. Builder Dominikus Zimmermann was approached for this and the rest is history. The Wieskirche is now also known for its special rococo works of art.
#7. Noerdlingen
Although the Thirty Years’ War that took place around 1618-1648 caused a lot of damage to the town of Nördlingen, we can still enjoy some beautiful legacies from the past today. The city walls, which were partly built in the fourteenth century, are an excellent example of this. From the Marktplatz there are several walks that lead past sights such as the Tanzhaus where the market vendors used to gather, the Rathaus from the thirteenth century and on the Herrengasse you will find the fountain on the Weinmarkt that has been placed there in memory of the brave Maria Holl-Brunnen. This ‘witch’ survived the torture that took place during witch persecutions and was therefore acquitted. Another special walk is the one over the fortress wall. Here you will pass Löpsinger Tor, among other things.
#8. Burg Harburg
The strategic location on the trade route between Augsburg and Nürnburg has benefited the city of Harburg. This is particularly reflected in Burg Harburg. The castle, which has always been in the hands of emperors and princes, has stood the test of time. Not once has it fallen prey to wars and destruction. Several guest houses, a banquet hall, an inn and a church are located on the castle square. The castle was guarded from the thirteenth century watchtower ‘Hungertoren’ and no one could enter or leave the castle unseen. From the castle you have a beautiful view of the lower city of Harburg, which is also worth a visit.
#9. Reichsstrasse in Donauwörth
The German city of Donauwörth is located directly on the river Danube. The most valuable part of the city is located between the Rathaus and the Fuggerhaus, which is called the Reichsstrasse. During the Middle Ages, this street was already known as part of the trade route. At the time it was called ‘Oberer’ or ‘Unterer Markt’. In the Reichsstrasse, beautiful houses stand side by side, each with its own color on the facade. It is called by many the most beautiful street in southern Germany. Just around the corner on Rathausgasse is the colorful town hall of Donauwörth.
#10. Monastery Church of Rottenbuch
The Bavarian town of Rottenbuch is located in the Weilheim-Schongau district. In the meadow area, the tower of the monastery complex is visible, for which the place is regularly visited. The monastery was founded about 1703 for the Augustinians. About a century later, the order was disbanded and began to fall into disrepair. The monastery church has survived. The present rococo appearance of the church is due to J. Schmuzer and his son Franz Xaver Schmuzer and Matthäus Günther. Both have made beautiful details that we can still enjoy today with great amazement. In addition, there are beautiful statues and other religious works of art to admire.
