I visited May 2015. As an American it was a bit difficult to understand what to do, as there were…read morenot many workers who spoke English. However I soon learned that: -bring your swimsuit which you can change into later; -at the front desk you'll tell them if you want the hot spring pools and the sauna, or only the pools. I chose only the pools; -you can also ask for a towel and robe. Best to bring your own towel & you don't need a robe. -nice to have sandals you can wear from the changing room out to the pools & back (I didn't and walked slowly and didn't slip at all) -you'll get a bracelet with an attachment that opens the gates into and out of the pools, and -you pay when you leave. Pools: 5 different kinds - calcium; magnesium; lithium; mediterranean; and the natural local hot springs. I tried them all and they were all nice. I spent about 10 minutes in each pool and then did that all over again. I felt better afterwards - my skin looked as if it was glowing and my back joints no longer ached. The pools seemed actively managed - there were always workers walking by; observing; and picking up towels, shoes, etc. as people were leaving them where others were walking and that presented a tripping hazard. Parking was difficult. I arrived around 15:00 and there was only one space in the lot across the street and down the hill. Others were not so lucky. I liked this spa and can recommend it to anyone who has some spare time. I didn't have children with me, but if I did they would have had a great time there.

So, where is this burg (castle) as in Burggarten (Castle Garden)? Unfortunately, the Stauferburg,…read moreImperial castle/fortress for the Holy Roman Emperor has been long lost. A legend goes it was lost by an earthquake. Stones were valuable materials and the city was eager to expand. It's probable that the Rothenburg residents dismantled the castle themselves. On your left as you walk into the Castle Garden, you'll see the only preserved building of the former Stauferburg, which is now a memorial site. An info panel in front of the Blasius Chapel explains the structure and function of the former castle grounds. Past the castle, you'll get to a private residence that was once the office of the city nursery in Rothenburg. In the middle of the English garden grounds, you'll see a small baroque styled garden with allegories of the four seasons. The Castle Garden features a historic collection of trees and extensive lawns, which invite visitors to linger to bask in a medieval atmosphere. A column and pogrom stone in the Castle Garden recall the past. The Staufer column on the north side of the Castle Garden reminds of the era when the emperor's castle was used for control over the imperial city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the Holy Roman Empire. Next to the chapel is a copy of the medieval pogrom stone. This memorializes the murder of the Jewish residents in Rothenburg, who died in the Middle Ages during the Rindtfleisch pogrom in 1298. Approaching Castle Garden via the Burgtor, you will have beautiful views of the Tauber Valley at the observation platforms to the left and right. It's a must visit when you are in Rothenburg.

The east of Rothenburg's old city, you can walk through the town wall into the medieval alleyways…read morevia the Galgentor (also called Würzburger Tor) or Rödertor. At the Rödertor is the Röderturm, which is open to visitors regularly. From here you get a wonderful view of the old quarter, from Markusturm with its stork's nest to - the also accessible - City Hall tower. The Röderturm is also a central starting point for Rothenburg's Tower Trail, which leads around the old quarter.