A Romantic Road must live up to its name, and as a real symbol of German Romanticism Germany’s spectacular Romantische Strasse does exactly that. Stretching from Wuerzburg at the northern end of Bavaria to Fuessen close to the Austrian border and lying at the foot of the Alps, what became known as the Romantische Strasse, or Romantic Road, was a 350 kilometre (218 miles) route
situated in the US sector of a Germany that had been divided into four zones, and which had turned into a popular excursion for the service personnel families stationed there and their visitors. Perhaps inspired by this in 1950 a group of Augsburg business people and journalists, meeting in a local bar, came up with an idea to try to attract tourists to what had been a trade route during the Middle Ages, and had become a travel route a few years before the war. Hoping to show the world another side of a Germany which at the time still carried the shadow, and devastation, of the previous years, and highlighting instead the characteristics of the country’s people and culture, and some of its most picturesque scenery, towns and cities.
The “Romantic Road” was created that evening, and in 2010, like Snoopy, Jay Leno and the iconic Volkswagen Camper, it reached the landmark age of 60.
Formerly an affluent and well travelled trade route, in a part of Germany that during the rule of Emperor Augustus Caesar 2000 years ago was an outpost of the Roman Empire, the Romantic Road is a journey through history.
Its 350 kilometers, (218 miles), are filled with varied, beautiful landscapes and culture, ancient castles, Baroque, Gothic, Rococo and Romanesque churches, cathedrals and architecture, as well as the picture book walled towns and villages many of which, with their medieval half timbered buildings and cobbled streets, are outwardly not much changed from the middle ages.
Outside of peak holiday times, which occasionally could be described as more frenzied than serene, it is an undeniably peaceful and calming escape from contemporary living and in many ways a journey back in time.
From north to south the Romantic Road begins in the ancient city of Wuerzburg which after being almost totally destroyed in 1945 has been carefully restored to its former splendour, with renovation work continuing on many of the outstanding and historic buildings such as the baroque style ‘Residence’ World Heritage Site. As the capital of the Franconian wine area it offers not only historical culture but also that of food and wine, with local and world renowned restaurants offering Franken cuisine and of course the best of the local wines.
A treat that is hard to find outside the country because the Germans like to keep it all for themselves.
Over twenty picturesque Southern German medieval towns and villages are along the Romantic Road, but for the majority of tourists a town that has been used as a background or inspiration for amongst other things Pinocchio, and other fantasy films, is at the top of their ‘must see’ list Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
As a 13th century town Rothenburg
had neither the money nor the influence to modernize in the 16th century when most similar towns were expanding. A subsequent preservation order later prevented any changes, apart from repaired war damage, so its original buildings remain virtually intact and you have only to walk around the town to get a real sense of what it must have been like to live in those days.Each town along the Romantic Road has its own charm.
Noerdlingen, situated in the centre of a meteorite crater and one of the three medieval towns with a complete original wall and towers, was used for the end sequences of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Pfaffenwinkel, or Monks Corner, and known as the land of Farmers, Artists and Monks, is filled with churches, while Wieskirche has a stunning Rococo church and a wooden statue that cried tears and so became a centre for pilgrimages.
Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein are surrounded by lakes and have two castles, the first of which was King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s family home in the mid 19th century, the second he had built as an architectural fantasy in order to fulfil his dream, but nevertheless it was somewhere he hardly ever lived and had not completed by the time of his mysterious death.
However it has been used in many films including Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, was the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle in Disney’s classic Cinderella, and both the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty fairytale castles in the Disney theme parks are based in part upon Ludwig’s 19th century castle romanticism so, although he did not live to enjoy his vision, there are millions that have.
Finally to Fuessen which also began alongside the Via Claudia Augusta, the main route from Italy in the days of the Roman empire. As Germany’s highest town at 800 to 1200 metres above sea level, and at the edge of snow capped mountains and lakes, it is a place of beauty and history, a treasure house of art and architecture within a immaculately preserved medieval heart.
From Wuerzburg to Fuessen or from Fuessen to Wuerzburg, it is not important which direction one takes, the aptly named Romantic Road is not only a trip into the past it is a fascinating and welcoming blend of the cultural and natural worlds, and a spellbinding journey of discovery.
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Photograph of Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s Ploenlein, former market place, with on the left the Siebers-gate and on the right hand side the Kobolzeller-gate, by courtesy de.Wikipedia photographer Berthold Werner, photograph Neuschwanstein Castle, courtesy de.Wikipedia photographer Cezary Piwowarski
