Civil Airfield Rothenburg O.D.T. (EDFR)

Rothenburg ob der Tauber claims to be “the most beautiful town in the whole of Germany”. Quite a boast: but it comes up to its claim. Built on a promontory, caught in the meander of the river, standing with its towers and pinnacles is an intact medieval small city set behind its own walls. For the pilot, there is the added advantage of a 950 metre hard runway with good English ATC just 2km away with fuel and easy parking. Although reputed to be very busy at weekends, it was deserted mid-week when I was there. The controller manages fuel, landing fees, will call a taxi, and even arrange ‘prior notice’ customs, if need be. He will also ‘lend’ you some bike locks for the 10 free bikes that can be used to cycle in to town: a perfect way to see (and get to), since the town is ‘motor traffic free’. If you want refreshment on the field, there is a convenient Tratotia Volare which serves very good Pizzas and is a nice place to relax. If, though, all you need is a ‘soft’ drink, there is a club room fridge just below ATC where drinks can be purchased using an ‘honesty box’.

Fuel & fees: I paid €2.20 per ltr for Avgas. Landing for my PA28 Arrow was €8.50, with overnight being only €6.

Accommodation: Being a very ‘tourist’ visited town, prices are understandably higher than elsewhere. If one wants to be in the centre, a small but very atmospheric place, is Altafraenkische-weinstube, €60 a night. http://www.altfraenkische.de/deutsch/hotel.htm I have also stayed at Hotel Eisenhut - €95+ for a single bed & large ‘German’ breakfast! https://www.hotel-eisenhut.de/ They both allowed me to walk the streets late at night: pure magic. Another popular, central hotel is Reichskuechenmeister. It has a very agreeable outside restaurant patio. The food is always good - it should be, as the name translates as ’Imperial Head Cook’! https://hotel-reichskuechenmeister-rothenburg.de/

Refreshment: There are so many places which look so wonderfully attractive that is it difficult to make recommendations. One place: Baumeisterhaus is one of the prettiest places in Rothenburg, a few yards from the Town Hall square. (Ask for a table at the far end of the patio: fantastic.) https://baumeisterhaus-rothenburg.de/ Alternatively, go for a beer/meal at Zur Hölle - The Devil’s Hole, in front of the Museum of Crime! – Germany’s oldest tavern. A very good Italian restaurant is Michelangelo https://www.michelangelo-rothenburg.com/

What to see: There are so many beautiful buildings. For myself, I had to visit St Jakobkirche. Like many Churches in Germany, due to religious changes, it is often the Protestant Church that contains the most beautiful pre-reformation artefacts: Its western gallery contains the famous Holy Blood altarpiece of the Würzburg wood carver, Tilman Riemenschneider, carved 1500-1505. Whilst behind the current High altar there are some evocative pictures depicting different pilgrimage stops on the way to Santiago de Compostella. Remember to take your torch from your flight bag to see the details & colours more clearly!

Relaxed uncontrolled airfield with a comparatively long runway and a namesake old town that is a highly attractive destination for a day/weekend trip, 15 min away by bicycle. There are 20-25 bicycles of sufficient quality available; they shouldn’t run out quickly. A €10 deposit gets you a lock; the rental itself is free. Landing fee for a PA28 €10. To reach the town, take the country road or, a bit bumpier, the gravel path along the railway line. A good Italian restaurant, not only frequented by pilots, offers good dining. Two parking stands on asphalt; otherwise grass. Friendly tower staff. Generally, no PPR required.