Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg – 750 Years of Imperial City
Historical City Festival for the 750th Anniversary of the Imperial City of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
About Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg
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750 Years of Imperial City – A Historical Anniversary
Rothenburg ob der Tauber received its Imperial City privilege in 1274 and remained a Free Imperial City within the Holy Roman Empire until 1802. This imperial city tradition shapes the city's self-understanding to this day. On the occasion of the 750th anniversary 1274–2024, the Reichsstadt-Festtage 2026 celebrate the grand festive weekend with a particularly elaborate program.
27 Historical Groups, Many Eras
During the festival days, the old town transforms into a camp with around 27 historical groups representing different eras of Rothenburg's history – from the medieval patriciate and the Renaissance to troops of the Thirty Years' War marching through the alleys. Citizens in contemporary clothing populate the Herrngasse area. The camp on the festival meadow and outside the city walls makes the festive weekend a three-dimensional historical experience for guests.
Torch Procession and Fire and Light Show
The atmospheric highlight is the evening torch procession on Friday: it starts in the valley at the Doppelbrücke and winds through the old town to the market square, where a fire and light show with music at the town hall crowns the festive evening. This specific staging has been one of the most striking images of the Reichsstadt-Festtage for years.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the Ansbach District
Rothenburg is located in the Ansbach district (AGS 09571) in Middle Franconia and is the flagship of the Romantic Road. The walled old town with Plönlein, St. James' Church, the town hall, and the castle garden is among the most famous cityscapes in Germany. The Reichsstadt-Festtage bring this backdrop to life in a special way.
Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg — edition 2026
The Reichsstadt-Festtage 2026 are the grand 750th anniversary celebration of the Imperial City of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. From September 4th to 6th, 2026, the old town will become the stage for a dense historical program.
Around 27 historical groups from different eras of the city's history will set up their camps on the festival meadow and outside the city walls. Troops of the Thirty Years' War will march through the alleys, and medieval citizens will inhabit the Herrngasse. The emotional climax will be the torch procession on Friday evening from the Doppelbrücke to the market square, where a fire and light show with music will be presented at the town hall.
Programme Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg 2026
Friday, September 4th, 2026
- Opening of the Reichsstadt-Festtage in the old town
- Camp of the historical groups on the festival meadow and outside the city walls
- Evening — Torch Procession from the Doppelbrücke through the old town to the market square
- On the market square — Fire and Light Show with Music at the Town Hall
Saturday, September 5th, 2026
- Revitalization of the old town by around 27 historical groups
- Marching troops of the Thirty Years' War through the alleys
- Medieval patrician quarter in the Herrngasse
- Performances, dances, and demonstrations spread across several squares in the old town
Sunday, September 6th, 2026
- Continuation of the historical program throughout the old town
- Camp on the festival meadow, demonstrations of historical crafts
- Conclusion of the 750th anniversary celebration
Detailed program and assembly plan available as a PDF download from the Rothenburg ob der Tauber tourism website.
Highlights Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg 2026
Prices Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg 2026
Practical information — Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg
Getting There
By train via Steinach (b Rothenburg) on the Würzburg – Treuchtlingen line, with a connection by regional train ("Hofgartenbus") directly to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. By car via the A 7 (Rothenburg exit).
Admission
Free admission. Detailed program available as a PDF download from the city's tourism website.
Note
The old town is very crowded during the festival days; accommodation should be booked well in advance.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg
Altstadt Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Marktplatz, Doppelbrücke
Contact Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg
Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg at a glance
History of Reichsstadt-Festtage Rothenburg
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