Medieval Festival in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Categories: Family and Kids, Sightseeing, Cultural and History, Dining, Entertainment

A house near the city walls of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

[ source: Wikipedia]

Historisches Festspiel Der Meistertrunk

Set in the picturesque town of of Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Rothenburg ob der Tauber vacation rentals | Rothenburg ob der Tauber travel guide) the historic festival of Der Meistertrunk takes place each year. The history of the festival dates back to October 30, 1631 when the Thirty Years' War reached the gates of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the Catholic General Tilly and 60,000 of his troops were ready to ransack the town and sentenced the town's mayor and other town dignitaries to death. To try and quell the bloodthirstiness of the troops, the town council presented the General with a giant mug of wine. After taking a couple schwills of the mug, Tilly presented the council with an unusual challenge, he said If one of you is able to empty this goblet - in one draught - then I shall be merciful, forget all fault. Mayor Georg Musch accepted--and won the challenge! Supposedly this is why you can still meander through the romantic cobblestone streets of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Because of this interesting history, the local poet, Adam Hörber couldn't resist turning the tale of the Meistertrunk into a play which is still preformed every Whitsuntide (Pentecost), which is the seventh Sunday after Easter and three more times throughout the year in early September and twice during the Rothenburger Gerbst, an autumn celebration in October.

[ source: meistertrunk ]

Location, Map, and Driving Directions

Opening Hours

Pentecost (Whitsuntide)

• Friday, 29.05.2009 (The sieged city)
• 12.00 a.m. Historical market Green market, Churchplace
• 4.30 p.m. Historic battle preparation Market-place
• 8.00 p.m. Historical Festival Play The Master Draught Emperor room of the town hall
• Saturday, 30.05.2009 (The surrounded city)
• 10.00 a.m. Historical market Green market, Churchplace
• 12.00 a.m - 8.00 p.m. Historical camps Old city
• 1.30 p.m. Devine service Franziskaner church
• 3.00 p.m. Historical Festival Play „The Master Draught” Emperor room of the town hall
• 5.30 p.m. Historical Festival Play „The Master Draught” Emperor room of the town hall
• 3.30 p.m. – 11.00 p.m. Beergarden with live music - Outside of the city
• Sunday, 31.05.2009 (The free city)
• 9.00 a.m. Pillage in the old city Old city
• 10.00 a.m. Historical Festival Play The Master Draught Emperor room of the town hall
• 10.30 a.m. Historical market Green market, Churchplace
• 12.30 p.m. Historical Festival Play The Master Draught Emperor room of the town hall
• 3.00 p.m. Historical military parade Old City
• 4.00 p.m. – 11.00 p.m. Historical bivouac with activities Outside of Galgentor; Beergarden with live music
• Monday, 01.06.2009 (Fortunate, happy city)
• 10.00 a.m. Pillage in the old city Old city
• 10.30 a.m. Historical market Green market, Churchplace
• 12.30 p.m. Historical Festival Play The Master Draught Emperor room of the town hall
• 1.00 p.m. – 6.30 p.m. Historical bivouac with activities Outside of Galgentor; Beergarden with live music
• 7.00 p.m. The farewell of Count Tilly Market-place

Imperial City Festival

• Friday, 04.09.2009
• 7.30 p.m. Torchlight procession Old City
• Saturday, 05.09.2009
• 2 p.m. Camps of historical groups Old City
• Sunday, 06.09.2009
• 11.30 a.m. Historical Festival Play The Master Draught Emperor room of the town hall
• 14.30 a.m. Historical Festival Play The Master Draught Emperor room of the town hall

Autumn in Rothenburg

• Saturday, 03.10.2009
• 3.00 p.m. Historical Festival Play The Master Draught Emperor room of the town hall
• 6.30 p.m. Historical Festival Play The Master Draught Emperor room of the town hall

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