GERMANY - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 275

The town is a museum piece of medieval character. Most of its 12,500 citizens
living within or just outside the city's walls work to serve the tourist in some manner.
This town has survived, even in the 21st century, as the “Jewel of the Middle Ages.”
Enjoy your visit in Rothenburg, but keep your eye on the town clock, for the Ro-
mantic Road bus continues on its journey to Würzburg and its final destination,
Frankfurt, promptly at 1630. If for some reason you do miss the 1630 bus depar-
ture, the German railroad also operates another bus line between Rothenburg and
Steinach, where you can connect with train service back to Munich.
Arriving in Würzburg at 1800, you have the opportunity of returning to Munich at
1831 aboard ICE 631; or you might want to have dinner and linger. A later depar-
ture would allow you to stay in Würzburg for several hours. The last train departs
Würzburg at 2331. There are several restaurants immediately across from the park
fronting the east side of the Würzburg rail station where you could enjoy dinner.
Rothenburg is loaded with living legends. One concerns the salvation of the
town from certain destruction by its wine-drinking mayor. In 1631, during the Thirty
Years' War, the town was captured by imperial troops under the command of Gen-
eral Tilly. While the general toyed with the idea of destroying the town and ex-
ecuting its councilors, he was handed a tankard holding more than three quarts of
heavy Franconian wine to aid his meditation.
The general promised mercy to Rothenburg if one of its councilors could drain
the “bumper” in one mighty draft. Mayor Nusch did and thus saved the town.
He slept for three days and nights following the mighty quaff, but apparently he
suffered no other ill effects, for he lived another 37 years and died at the age of
80—with a smile on his face. The historic deed is reenacted daily by a glockenspiel
installed in the gable of the Councilors' Tavern at 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500,
2000, 2100, and 2200. Be there!
Day Excursion to
Ulm
World's Tallest Cathedral
Depart from Munich Hauptbahnhof
Distance by Train: 92 miles (148 km)
Average Train Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes
City Dialing Code: 731