Nördlingen is one of the romantic towns along the famous Romantic Road (Romantische Straße) in Germany. This scenic route stretches from Würzburg to Füssen and passes through charming medieval towns, castles, and beautiful landscapes.
Nördlingen is a fascinating town in Bavaria, Germany, known for its well-preserved medieval walls and unique geological history. Here’s an overview:
Location & History
Nördlingen is located in the Swabian region of Bavaria, about 45 km southwest of Ingolstadt and 70 km northwest of Augsburg. The town is set in the middle of the Nördlinger Ries, a massive crater formed by a meteorite impact around 14.8 million years ago. This impact left behind a unique geological landscape, making the town an interesting destination for both history lovers and science enthusiasts.
Nördlingen was first mentioned in the 9th century and became an important trade center during the Middle Ages due to its location on key trading routes. It played a significant role in the Thirty Years’ War, notably as the site of two battles (1634 and 1645).
Things to Do in Nördlingen
Walk Along the Medieval City Walls
Nördlingen is one of the few towns in Germany where you can walk completely around the city on the original medieval walls (about 2.7 km long). The views over the town’s red-roofed buildings are beautiful.
Visit St. George’s Church & Climb the Daniel Tower
This 90-meter-high church tower, nicknamed “Daniel,” offers panoramic views of the town and the Nördlinger Ries crater.
If you climb the tower, you might hear the traditional greeting “So G’sell so”, which has been called out by the watchman for centuries.
Explore the Ries Crater Museum
Learn about the meteorite impact that shaped the area and see real rock samples from the moon (donated by NASA, which studied the crater for training Apollo astronauts).
Visit the Town Hall & Market Square
The beautiful historic Rathaus (Town Hall) and surrounding buildings in the market square are worth a visit, especially if there’s a market day.
Enjoy the Stadtmuseum (City Museum)
Dive into the town’s rich medieval and wartime history with artifacts and exhibits.
Take a Scenic Walk or Bike Ride Around the Ries Crater
The surrounding landscape offers fantastic hiking and cycling opportunities, with trails leading to viewpoints over the crater.
Visit the Railway Museum (Bayerisches Eisenbahnmuseum)
If you like trains, this museum has a large collection of historic locomotives.
Enjoy Local Food & Beer
Try Schäufele (pork shoulder) or Maultaschen (Swabian dumplings), and enjoy a beer from local breweries.