“The German Romantic Road” is a German tourist route from north to south of Bavaria, allowing for a short time to see the most interesting castles, ancient churches that have preserved the medieval appearance of the city. Moving along the tips of signs from city to city, travelers enjoy the views of German nature.
The route was developed in the 1950s. Actually, spontaneously, it had already formed long before that, and in the 50s they took up its provision: paved the road, marked hiking and cycling routes, provided all the roads with signs with the names of attractions. In length, different types of routes do not coincide:
- automobile = 366 km
- bicycle = 424 km
- on foot = 474 km.
Cycling and walking routes were removed from the track so that walks would allow you to breathe fresh air. A special bus runs along the Romantic Road, but stops in the settlements for a short while: you cannot see the sights during this time, but you can decide where to stop on the spot. In total, the Romantic Road connects 27 cities, some of which can be reached by rail.
Southern section of the Romantic Road: Füssen - Augsburg
Experienced tourists are advised to split the route into parts and come here several times to explore everything without fuss. The route is good in any season, but in the summer there are too many tourists on it. In winter, it is better to explore the southern part of the Romantic Road, and in spring and autumn - the northern.
The extreme southern point of the route is the city of Fussen. People usually come here from Munich by renting a car at Munich Airport. Those who travel bicycles are advised to start from here at any time of the year, because this path lies from the foothills of the Alps to the plain, all the way downhill.
The spa town of Füssen stands on the Lech River and is famous for the ancient abbey of St. Magnus. The oldest church in the abbey is the 9th century, ancient frescoes are preserved there. Next to the abbey on the hill is the castle of the bishops ( XVI century), and next to it in the XVIII century a baroque church was built.
With a shortage of time, you can not stop in Füssen, but rush immediately to the main goal on the southern section of the Romantic Road - Neuschwanstein Castle. The white castle is the dream of the Bavarian king Ludwig II, who tracked every step of the construction of a length of 17 years. To start building, King Ludwig ordered to blow up a cliff with the ruins of 2 castles (increasing the area on the top of the cliff). The construction of the castle was completed after the death of the king, in 1886, and the castle became the most famous due to its beauty and Disney, which copied it for the castle of Sleeping Beauty.
Opposite Neuschwanstein is the no less romantic Hohenschwangau Castle , in which Ludwig II was born and lived. The castle was built by his father, the Bavarian king Maximilian II in 1836 on the site of the 12th century family castle destroyed by Napoleon’s troops. The royal apartments, painted by court artists, are now the halls of the museum. Richard Wagner came to Ludwig II here in Hohenschwangau, where the maple piano is stored here, on which Wagner played for the king.
Augsburg is an old German city that arose on the site of a Roman military camp built before our era. The rich merchant city of the Roman Empire - in the Middle Ages they did not skimp on luxurious architecture. The ancient city center has been preserved in Augsburg, the majestic town hall of the beginning of the XVII century immediately attracts the attention of tourists. Augsburg has many attractions to see:
- Basilica of Saints Ulrich and Afra (XV-XVI centuries)
- Princely residence of the archbishop (built XVI-XVIII centuries)
- Hofgarten - a park at the residence, founded in the XVIII century
- Cathedral of Virgin Mary with the world's oldest colored stained glass windows
- Church of St. Anne of the 16th century with artworks by Lucas Cranach.
Northern section of Germany's romantic road: Wurzburg - Harburg
In the spring, on this stretch of road, tourists are accompanied by the fragrance of numerous flowering trees and shrubs, and in the early autumn - a change of luxurious colors of nature.
- From Frankfurt, tourists come to the city of Würzburg on the River Main. An old stone bridge with the figures of saints is thrown over Mine: the bridge is older than the famous Charles Bridge in Prague. The Marienberg Fortress is a symbol of Würzburg, the episcopal residence: it began to be built in the 10th century, and the sites of the original construction were preserved on the territory. Later perestroika turned the residence into a baroque palace. Numerous vineyards surround the city and the hill fortress - this is the wine region of Germany.
- Bad Mergentheim is a stronghold of German chivalry: from the 13th century the knights of the Teutonic Order settled here, from the 16th to the 19th centuries the residence of the Grand Master of the Order was located here. A museum of the Teutonic Order was opened in the palace of the Grand Master.
- In Rottenburg ob der Tauber, the medieval center, walled, and ancient churches are perfectly preserved.
- Harburg is an ancient hill fortress founded in the 11th century. Most of the buildings date back to the 18th century, but there are more ancient ones. The fortress is surrounded by a wall of the 15th century with loopholes, under it there are underground rooms, hollowed out in the rock.
*Tourist route.
