Historical Festival Play The Master's Draught Rothenburg

A Legend from the Thirty Years' War

In October 1631, General Tilly and the Imperial Catholic army besieged the Protestant town of Rothenburg. The town was threatened with destruction. According to legend, Tilly sat down in the town hall to sample a three-gallon jug (over three liters of Franconian wine) — and promised to spare the town if a citizen could empty the jug in one go. Former mayor Georg Nusch stepped forward, drank the jug empty, and saved Rothenburg. This story — not historically documented, but firmly anchored as a town legend — has been performed by the citizens every Whitsun since 1881.

The Festival Play in the Kaisersaal

The main event is the performance in the Kaisersaal of the historical town hall on the market square — the same hall where the historical Master's Draught is said to have taken place. The play, performed by Rothenburg citizens without professional actors, is one of Germany's oldest unbroken theatrical traditions.

Military Camp, Market, Dances

Parallel to the stage, the entire old town becomes a living historical festival: A historical military camp with hundreds of soldiers, camp followers, and riders in historically accurate 17th-century costumes is set up on the festival meadow outside the town walls. At the Grüner Markt and St. Jakob's Church, craftspeople demonstrate medieval techniques (bow making, blacksmithing, wool processing). Dances, parades, and shepherd dance performances complement the program.

UNESCO Cultural Heritage

In 2016, "Der Meistertrunk" was recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Germany. This makes Rothenburg's Whitsun festival one of the very few citizens' plays in Germany to bear this distinction — alongside the Schäfflertanz in Munich and the Limburger Kasperle.

Rothenburg, Middle Franconia, Bavaria

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is located in the district of Ansbach in western Middle Franconia, on the Romantic Road. The almost perfectly preserved medieval old town — one of Germany's most famous — already provides a perfect backdrop without any further staging. During the Whitsun festival, the town is traditionally overcrowded; early arrival and hotel booking are strongly recommended.