Page 197 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

DRIVE 18: The Northern Romantic Road 195

3 Bad Mergentheim ª Continue along the Tauber Valley. Centre left Stunning Marienaltar with
Baden-Württemberg; 97980 Follow signs to Röttingen, taking the Mary as the central figure, Creglingen
Lying in a charming spot on same road to Bieberehren, then drive Below Pretty rural landscape, Creglingen
the Tauber river, Bad Mergentheim south to Creglingen. Herrgottskirche is
was home to the Teutonic Knights south of the junction with Rothenburger HIKING NEAR THE
ROMANTISCHE STRASSE
from 1527 to 1809. First built in Strasse; there is parking on the side
the 12th–13th centuries, the of the road. A long­distance hiking trail runs parallel
Deutschordensschloss dominates to the Romantic Road, threading
this leafy little spa town. The castle The Teutonic Knights through meadows and forests. Visitors
houses a museum (closed Mon) with Formed at the end of the 12th can contact the nearest local tourist
office (www.romantischestrasse.de)
staterooms and dis plays relating to century to protect pilgrims in the for more information.
the Knights’ history. Just south of the Holy Land, the Order of the Teutonic
town, Pfarrkirche (closed Mon), the Knights of St Mary’s Hospital in
parish church at Stuppach, con tains Jerusalem turned its attention to EAT AND DRINK
Europe after the Crusades. In the
a masterpiece, the Stuppacher 13th century, it took Christianity and
Madonna (1519), by German the German language to the Baltic, WÜRZBURG
Renaissance pain ter Matthias creating the German colony of East Ratskeller moderate
Grünewald. Around 2 km (1 mile) Prussia. After the Order’s Grand The menu at this lovely, atmospheric
from the town is the Wildpark Bad Master, Albert of Brandenburg, con­ restaurant is a mix of steaks, salads
Mergentheim (07931 56 30 50; www. verted to Lutheranism in 1525, its and hearty regional fare, such as
seat moved from Königsberg to Bad
wildtierpark.de), which is spread over Mergentheim. The Order’s distin ctive liver dumpling soup or Franconian
bratwurst, all accompanied by
35 ha (86 acres), and features more black cross has become famous delicious local wines.
than 75 species in a natural setting. as the model for the Iron Cross, Langgasse 1, 97070; 0931 130 21;
ª Head east along the B19/ Germany’s decoration for gallantry. www.wuerzburger-ratskeller.de
Igersheimer Strasse. From Igersheim, TAUBERBISCHOFSHEIM
turn right. Follow signs to Weikersheim. Badischer Hof moderate
5 Creglingen Regional cooking using seasonal
Baden-Württemberg; 97993 ingredients typifies the menu at
Upstream from Weikersheim, on the the Badischer Hof, where dishes
Bavarian border, is the small town such as roast stuffed pork with bread
of Creg lingen. Just south of its half­ dumplings or trout with potatoes are
accompanied by wines from the
tim bered centre is the Herrgottskirche surrounding district.
(Feb, Mar, Nov & Dec: closed Mon; Apr– Sonnenplatz, 97941; 09341 98 80;
Oct: open daily; closed Jan). This pilgrim­ www.hotelbadischerhof.de
age church shel ters a masterpiece by WEIKERSHEIM
sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider.
Carved between 1493 and 1510, the Restaurant im Gewölbe expensive
A stone­vaulted cellar is the setting
Marien altar was so aligned that the for Jürgen Koch’s gourmet cooking,
central figure of Mary is lit up through which fuses international sophisti­
the chapel’s rose win dow on the Feast cation with regional ingredients in
of the Assumption on 15 August. dishes such as smoked trout fillet on
verjuice foam.
ª Return to Creglingen, turning right Marktplatz 5, 97990; 07934 910 80;
on to the Romantische Strasse towards www.hotel-laurentius.de;
Rothenburg ob der Tauber. closed Sun–Tue
4 Weikersheim
Baden-Württemberg; 97990
Weikersheim’s neat central square
acts as a picturesque frame for
Schloss Weikersheim (open daily),
transformed in the 16th century,
on the orders of Count Wolfgang II
of Hohenlohe, into one of Germany’s
most beautiful Renaissance palaces.
The highlight of the interior is
the Rittersaal, or knight’s hall, a
vast banqueting hall with a magni fi­
cent fireplace and painted ceiling.
The Baroque palace garden,
Schlossgarten, is graced by many
fountains and more than 50 statues.
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €20; moderate, €20–€40; expensive, over €40

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