Imperial City Festival at Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber

We got to experience the Imperial City Festival at Rothenburg ob Der Tauber and it was so amazing!

What better way to experience this medieval city, than being up close and personal to it’s celebration of the towns history.

On the blog, I will share our weekend trip to Rothenburg ob Der Tauber and the top things to see during the Imperial City Days Festival.

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Located along Southern Germany’s Romantic road, Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber is known for it’s well preserved medieval town walls.

It’s the perfect place to experience what medieval life was like back then, especially during the Imperial City Days festival.

We decided to stay for a couple of days, just so we can experience the Imperial City Festival at Rothenburg ob Der Tauber in all it’s glory during this wonderful weekend festival.

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Read our weekend guide to Rothenburg ob Der Tauber here.

The Imperial City Festival at Rothenburg ob Der Tauber

Every year for three days in September, the whole town celebrates centuries of history during the Imperial city festival at Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Members of historical reenactment groups, come together dressed in the old medieval fashion of the times to revitalize and celebrate their Imperial City glory days.

Back when Rothenburg ob Der Tauber was granted political powers, and the right to govern itself and have it’s own currency, before it all ended during the 30 years war.

Each of these groups depicts a different guild of this period. The entire town is transformed into one medieval live action theatre. It really felt like we were transported back in time with them!

The Imperial City festival for 2019 starts September 6-8

On the first day of the festival there is a grand torch lighting procession. We all gather in the town square waiting for the procession to arrive.

Each group is introduced at this time, following a fireworks extravaganza. The whole town did an awesome job during the festival, every detail was well thought of.

You will find tradesmen showing off lost skills in one area, and historical performances in another.

There are lots of musical performances and various street performers entertaining the crowds, it was so awesome!

There are also food tents serving delicious German cuisine, and biergartens to wash it down, along with some local wines.

It was such an amazing experience, and it totally felt like we were part of it all.

Explore Rothenburg ob der Tauber

We like spending the night at places, the town really comes to life when all the day trippers leave and your left with the town to yourself.

It was amazing strolling through the town at night, it was just so quiet and peaceful.

The next morning, we wake up early to capture the town at its quietest, the town was just so enchanting with the mist lingering over.

Strolling through the empty streets, we felt like we went through a portal back in time.

Read our guide on how to visit Rothenburg ob Der Tauber, as well as some tips here.

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