Exterior view

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a town in Middle Franconia, Bavaria, lying on a plateau 100 m above the River Tauber on its right bank. It is remarkable for being preserved as a complete 16th-century town bearing little evidence of later centuries, and for its intact fortifications (12th-14th centuries). The Town Hall (Rathaus) has a gabled south fa�ade, the left gable belonging to the 13th-century wing, the right to the Renaissance wing (1570-78) by Leonhard Weidmann; the rusticated loggia was added in 1681.

Weidmann (town architect from ¹⁵⁷⁴⁄₅) made a major contribution to the 16th-century development of the city. His buildings include the Spital (1574-78); the Gymnasium (1589-99); the charming Hegereiterhaus (1591); and the Baumeisterhaus (1596), which has a fine painted fa�ade. The town suffered damage in World War II but was subsequently restored to its former state.

The photo shows the fa�ade of the Renaissance wing dominating the Market Square.