On our road trip along the Romantic Road, we find ourselves in Wertheim. This is a town where history truly comes alive. You can enjoy wandering through the medieval streets and admire the many half-timbered houses. A climb up to the imposing Wertheim Castle is an absolute must. Notably, Wertheim is uniquely situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Main and the Tauber. This special location explains why many cruise ships dock along the Main to visit this charming town.

Wertheim on the Romantic Road

The town serves as the northern gateway to the famous Romantic Road, which stretches from Würzburg all the way to the Alps. The Romantic Road connects some of the most beautiful and historic spots in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It’s a journey through stunning castles and centuries-old timber-framed villages. Wertheim fits perfectly into this picture.

The Romantic Road is Germany’s most popular tourist route. Along the way, you travel through a picturesque, hilly landscape dotted with rivers and forests. In total, there are thirty quaint towns and villages along the route, each with its own character and highlights. The journey also passes five UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can read more about the Romantic Road in our detailed blog about this varied road trip through Germany.

A dive into Wertheim’s history

Historically, Wertheim likely originated as early as the seventh or eighth century. In the twelfth century, the Counts of Wertheim built their castle at the river’s mouth. The town prospered for centuries thereafter. In 1363, Wertheim even gained the right to mint its own coins. However, the town also experienced turbulent times. During the Würzburg Feud in the seventeenth century, Wertheim came under heavy attack, leading to years of disputes over regional governance. In 1784, the town suffered a severe blow from flooding, with water levels rising so high that the bridge over the Tauber completely collapsed.

Wertheim also endured dark times under the Nazi regime. Fortunately, the historic city centre narrowly escaped a major British bombing raid in 1945. Thanks to this, we can still admire all those beautiful old buildings today.

Wertheim’s sights

Wertheim is the perfect town to explore spontaneously. We put the map aside and wander through the cosy, compact historic centre. Everywhere we look, there’s stunning architecture and fascinating details. It’s almost like walking through an open-air museum. Every corner offers a new photo opportunity.

City gates: guardians of history

Wertheim’s old town was once fully enclosed by walls. Luckily, three city gates remain intact. The Maintor is the most important of these. For many tourists, it’s their first introduction to the town, as they enter the centre directly from the river. This gate once regulated shipping and trade along the Main. It reminds us of the vital role the rivers played for the town.

We also stroll past the Kittsteintor near the Tauber riverbank. This gate is famous for the many marks on its outer wall, which record the historic flood levels in Wertheim. We’re amazed at how high the water sometimes rose.

The Pointed Tower

The Pointed Tower, or Spitzer Turm, is perhaps Wertheim’s most iconic building. It stands prominently on the edge of the town centre. Interestingly, it leans quite noticeably—more than the famous tower in Pisa. The tilt was apparent immediately after construction and was never fully corrected, giving the tower a unique character. Built in the thirteenth century, it was part of the original city wall.

The tower once served as a prison for minor offenders. Quarrelsome women or those guilty of small misdemeanours were locked up here. The “fear hole” is particularly striking—prisoners were sometimes confined in this small space for a time. Today, a skeleton remains as a macabre reminder. We climb the more than 140 steps to the top, where we enjoy a splendid view over the town.

The Blue House

In the heart of the old town stands a very special building: the Blue House, dating from 1593. Its name is immediately obvious, as it is the only half-timbered house in Germany preserved in its authentic blue colour. The beams were painted using a unique method involving cobalt-containing glass, finely ground to produce this distinctive blue paint. This was an expensive process, making the house truly unique in Wertheim.

Market Square

The town’s central square is the Market Square, where we soak up the town’s atmosphere best. The square is surrounded by stunning half-timbered houses, all well-maintained and radiating a warm, old-fashioned charm. We settle at a terrace and enjoy a cup of coffee, watching daily life unfold.

The Market Square is home to some of Wertheim’s finest buildings, including the sixteenth-century town hall. This impressive building features beautiful façades and bay windows. We immediately feel at home in this picturesque setting. It’s the perfect spot to rest and take in the surroundings.

Angel Fountain

Next to the old town hall stands the Angel Fountain, dating from 1574. It is named after the two angels atop the fountain, who hold the coat of arms of the County of Wertheim. The artwork also associates important figures from the town’s history with planets and zodiac signs.

Stiftskirche

The Stiftskirche is Wertheim’s main church. Construction began in 1384. It is an early Gothic church with three naves, likely built on the foundations of a Romanesque predecessor. It is the final resting place of the Counts of Wertheim.

In the church’s upper floor, a library was established in the fifteenth century. The collection includes nearly 1,000 medieval manuscripts. The most prized possession is the Wertheim Bible, the only surviving copy of the three originally printed long ago.

Glass Museum

A special aspect of Wertheim is its connection to glass. The town was once an important centre for the glass industry. Thanks to its location on the Main, raw materials could be easily transported. We visit the Museum of Glassblowing to learn more. Unfortunately, the glassblower is ill today, so we miss the glassblowing demonstration. Nevertheless, we admire a beautiful collection of glass art.

Another interesting museum is the Grafschaftsmuseum, housed in a former sixteenth-century hospital. It highlights the history of Wertheim and the region, with a focus on Franconian wine production.

The wine regions around Wertheim

Wertheim lies in a renowned wine region. The slopes around the Main and Tauber are covered with vineyards. The Franconian wines from the area are highly regarded, not only for their taste but also because they are often bottled in the distinctive “Bocksbeutel” flask, which has a flattened belly and short neck.

Naturally, we visit a local winery. A pleasant walk through the woods takes us to the Alte Grafschaft vineyards in neighbouring Kreuzwertheim. This family-run winery has been operating for over 400 years and has grown into a respected producer. The winemaker passionately explains the production process as we taste the wines.

Wertheim Castle

We save the best for last. Wertheim Castle towers high above the town and is visible from all parts of the city. Although it is technically a castle ruin, as only parts of the original building remain, the climb to the top is well worth it. We are rewarded with spectacular views over the old town and the confluence of the Main and Tauber.

The castle dates back to the twelfth century and was the residence of the Counts of Wertheim. Though partly destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War, it remains an impressive structure. We walk along the ancient walls and through dark corridors, feeling transported back to the Middle Ages. On the terrace of the restaurant, we take in the stunning views of Wertheim, the Tauber, and the Main.

What to do when it rains: shopping!

If the weather turns sour, no need to worry—Wertheim has a perfect solution. We head to the Designer Outlet Wertheim Village, just outside town and easily accessible. This is no ordinary shopping centre; it’s a beautifully designed outlet village.

We stroll through the charming streets and browse the shop windows. Many international and national top brands offer significant discounts on their products. There’s always something nice to find, from clothing and accessories to luxury goods. And if the ladies want to shop while the gentlemen have had enough, they can relax in one of the many restaurants.

Active in nature: walking and cycling around Wertheim

The area around Wertheim is a paradise for nature lovers. It’s well worth putting on your walking shoes or hopping on a bike.

Walking around Wertheim

There are many marked walking routes around Wertheim. The town connects to several long-distance trails, but there are also shorter circular walks. One of the most beautiful routes is the Tauber Valley Panorama Trail, which runs from Bronnbach through Wertheim to Freudenberg. Another lovely route is the Main Trail, which passes through vineyards and past the Triefenstein Monastery to Kreuzwertheim.

Cycling around Wertheim

Cyclists will find excellent routes here. The terrain is relatively flat, especially along the rivers. The famous Main Cycle Route runs directly past Wertheim, taking you through several picturesque villages.

The Tauber Cycle Route is also a classic. This well-signposted route runs through the romantic Tauber Valley and is perfect for a day trip. Cycling is the ideal way to see much of the beautiful surroundings in a short time.

More information about walking and cycling opportunities in Wertheim.

We will definitely return to Wertheim

Our trip to Wertheim has come to an end. We look back on a fantastic time, enjoying the grandeur of the castle and the lively atmosphere of the Market Square. We won’t soon forget the Blue House and the Spitse Toren. Wertheim offers the perfect mix of culture, nature, and culinary delights, making it an excellent stopover on the Romantic Road.

This visit was made possible by an invitation from the German National Tourist Board and the Romantic Road. We travelled part of this tourist route and visited Wertheim along the way. This blog has been written independently and objectively based on our own impressions.

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