Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a beautiful town located on Germany's Romantic Road. The old town is surrounded by city walls with gates all around. Walking through the old city gates feels like stepping back in time. Rothenburg ob der Tauber was established on a plateau along the Tauber River around the 12th century. The town's name means 'Red Fortress on the Tauber River.' It flourished as an independent state with its own military and judicial powers. The town maintained its independence from other kingdoms until the 19th century, when it became a small state in Central Europe and joined Bavaria in 1802. A must-see photo spot is Plönlein, a picturesque check-in point located near the southern city gate, where the Siebersturm tower stands across the road. The area is surrounded by half-timbered houses with gabled roofs along two converging streets. Additionally, at Marktplatz in the evening, there is a Night Watchman tour. In the past, a night watchman would patrol and guard the city gates, blowing a horn made from an animal's horn to alert the townspeople of any unusual events (and they demonstrate this during the tour). The Night Watchman guides the tour through the town, explaining the history of each spot. If you're interested, you can join the Night Watchman tour for 10 Euros per person, payable at the end of the tour.