Rothenburg never demolished its system of town walls and 42 gates and towers that enclose the entire old center. The walls are almost as old as the town itself, having been built of sturdy stone in 1142.
With time and fresh legs, a 2.5km circular walk around the unbroken ring of town walls gives a sense of the importance medieval people placed on defending their settlements. It's easy to imagine the gates being closed every night and the townsfolk huddling behind the walls, feeling themselves to be safe from the uncertainties of the outside world.
A great lookout point is the eastern tower, the Röderturm, but for the most impressive views head to the western side of town, where a sweeping view of the Tauber Valley includes the Doppelbrücke, a double-decker bridge.