Dinkelsbuhl’s Old Town is a well-preserved, medieval, walled city located
in Bavaria, along Germany’s Romantic Road. The city's Old Town is
compact, but it offers its visitors a beautiful, well-preserved, walled
village, surrounded by beutiful gardens and water.
The town in known for its elegant patrician houses and impressive mercantile
buildings dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.
The
town’s treasures are mainly architectural and Dinkelsbuhl is world famous
for its fortified wall and sixteen
towers, four of which provide access to the city. The wall, which surrounds
the Old Town, is interesting in itself and we recommend walking its
perimeter for some dazzling sights.
The city was settled over twelve-hundred years ago and
evidence of the first fortress dates from the 10th century. During the
succeeding centuries, the town prospered while becoming a noted center for
the production of fine cloth.
During
the Thirty Years War (1618 – 1648), Dinkelsbuhl (also spelled Dinkelsbuehl) and its walls were
partially destroyed, but the capture of the city by Swedish forces in 1632 protected it
from further damage. Somewhat remarkably, the city emerged unscathed
from World War I and II and is today one of the finest examples of
fortified, walled, German towns. (This, in part, was due to the foresight of
the Bavarian King Ludwig I, who, in the early 19th century, issued a
proclamation forbidding the destruction of the town’s wall and towers.)
Although not as popular as the physically larger
Rothenburg (another
historic walled city in Bavaria), Dinkelsbuhl is well worth a visit. The highlights of
the town can be covered in an afternoon, but you may want to overnight here,
as the Old Town offers some delightful hotels. Dinkelsbuhl has no shortage
of good restaurants and afterwards you may want to participate in the tour
of the town offered by their Night Watchman.
Although you can park within the Old Town except for Sundays, parking is
limited and cramped. There are several parking lots outside of the walls and
we recommend that you park in one of these, especially since the best views
of the town’s walls are from the outside of the city.
The wall incorporates 16 towers, but only four allow for access into the
city. The Wornitz Tor is the oldest of the city’s four gates. It was
modified by increasing its height in the 14th century and a bell tower was
added in the 16th century. If you choose to enter the city from the Romantic
Road (B-25), this is the gate you will drive underneath as you pass the
wall.
Click the movie player below for our narrated slide show of the sights in Dinkelsbuhl.
St. Georges Minister (mid-15th century) is the town’s most distinguished
landmark and is considered one of the most beautiful of the wide-aisled hall
churches in Germany (built without a transept). It is used for services on
Sundays and open most other days, except between the hours between 12 and 2.
Ascend its tower for panoramic views of the city. By the way, St. Georges is
visible from most parts of the city, so use it as your landmark for finding
your way around the town.
The area
around St. Georges is known as the Market Square. Directly across from St. George’s is known as the Wine Market and the late
renaissance facades you can see here are among the most beautiful in the
city. In the middle of the block, the
Deutsches Haus, is a building with a very impressive facade. Today the building is a noted hotel and restaurant
You will walk by numerous bakeries, restaurants and outdoor cafes
during your tour of Dinkelsbuhl, so
consider picking up a treat for a picnic or dine at one of the city's many
outdoor cafes and enjoy watching
others explore the city.
The
Tourist information Office offers guided tours in the mornings and
afternoons April through October. The tour starts at the St. Georges
minister (the town’s most visible landmark) and the town’s Information
office is just down the street from the Marktplatz.
Carriage rides through the Old Town are available. They
will take you through the historic old town on a circuit that lasts
approximately forty-minutes and are a great way to see the sights.
Next - select one of these towns on the Romantic Road
In Dinkelsbuhl, when you see a
street-sign of a city map, take a look. It will show a quick walk
around the city, as well as illustrations showing the locations of the most
interesting buildings.
Although not as popular as the physically larger
The area
around St. Georges is known as the Market Square. Directly across from St. George’s is known as the Wine Market and the late
renaissance facades you can see here are among the most beautiful in the
city. In the middle of the block, the 
You will walk by numerous bakeries, restaurants and outdoor cafes
during your tour of Dinkelsbuhl, so
consider picking up a treat for a picnic or dine at one of the city's many
outdoor cafes and enjoy watching
others explore the city.
