The small town of Nördlingen is located in Bavarian Swabia and is probably unique in the world with its round, medieval town centre. However, it is not only the well-preserved old town that is unique, but also its geological location: the Nördlinger Ries was formed 15 million years ago by a meteorite impact.
Nördlingen was first mentioned in a document in 898 as ‘Nordilinga’, but the history of the town goes back much further: finds from the Ofnethöhlen (caves) there prove that the Nördlingen area was already inhabited in the Stone Age. Alemannic settlements can also be traced back to the 6th and 7th centuries. And in 2023, archaeologists found a grave with a very well-preserved Bronze Age sword from the late 14th century.
Nördlingen was an important trading centre due to its special location at the crossroads of two important trade routes. The small town lies between Frankfurt, Würzburg and Augsburg as well as Nürnberg and Ulm. From the Middle Ages to the early modern period, these trade routes were extremely popular for goods such as grain, livestock, textiles, furs and metal goods. Nördlingen's heyday during the Middle Ages can still be seen today in the well-preserved architecture from this period.
Nördlingen became an imperial city in 1215 and the first city wall was built in the same year. Unfortunately, this is no longer preserved, but the ground plan is still visible. More than a hundred years later, in 1327, the city walls that still exist today were built, quadrupling the size of the town. Over the centuries, the wall was continually extended and reinforced.
Today, the Nördlingen city wall is almost 700 years old, fully preserved and even completely accessible: You can walk along the approximately 2.7 kilometre long wall and enjoy the view over the medieval old town from up here. Today, the city wall has five city gates, twelve towers and two bastions.
The 90 metre high Daniel church tower is the landmark of Nördlingen. Due to its height, it can be seen from all over the Ries. It was completed in 1538 and 365 steep steps lead to the top. The view is definitely not to be missed! Just like the famous watchman's call: between 10 pm and midnight, the watchman still calls out ‘So Gsell so!’ every half hour. This custom goes back to an old story from 1440, according to which a sow is said to have saved Nördlingen back then.
The Nördlingen tanners' quarter, one of the largest in Germany, is also well worth a visit. Tanners processed raw hides into leather and skins. As the hides had to be washed, the workshops were located next to flowing waters. In Nördlingen, this neighbourhood can therefore be found on the River Eger. Around 1618, over 150 master tanners lived and worked here. They worked on the ground floor, lived on the first floor and dried under the gables. The wooden drying galleries are still often preserved today. The trade is no longer practised in Nördlingen; many of the houses were converted into residential buildings in the second half of the 20th century.
The Bavarian Railway Museum is also worth a visit, with over 200 vehicles on display, including over 40 steam locomotives. The exhibits are on display both in the historic halls of the former locomotive depot of the Royal Bavarian State Railway and in the open air. The museum also offers day trips on the historic trains!
One of the most popular sights around Nördlingen is the RiesKraterMuseum, which is dedicated to the impact of the meteorite that formed the Nördlinger Ries 15 million years ago. The museum is housed in a medieval barn dating back to 1503 and is not just of interest to amateur scientists: it is dedicated to the formation and significance of meteorite impacts and their craters, including the effects up to the present day.
You can also take a trip to the Geopark Ries. This covers the entire Nördlinger Ries crater and has a diameter of around 25 kilometres. Educational trails and information centres explain the special features of the Ries in many places. You can also go on guided tours or individual hikes through the UNESCO Geopark.
