Councelmen Inn, Rothenburg

The Councelmen Inn is a renowned and captivating building that holds significant historical and cultural value. Originally serving as an inn exclusively for councilmen, it provided a secluded space where they could indulge in their favorite beverages, be it wine or beer, away from the common folk who were forbidden from entering.

The Ratstrinkstube stands as a remarkable architectural gem that catches the eye of visitors. Every hour, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., eager crowds gather in anticipation, eagerly awaiting the moment when the shutters of the building open. It is an eagerly anticipated spectacle for tourists and locals alike. The gable of the facade, which is a popular subject for photographs, features three different clocks and the coat of arms of the imperial city. The largest and primary clock, installed in 1683, continues to accurately display the time to this day. Above it is a date display, and further above, an impressive sundial adorned with the signs of the zodiac, which dates back to 1768.

However, the main highlight of the Ratstrinkstube is the art clock that depicts a crucial event from the history of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. In 1631, during the Thirty Years' War, a significant incident known as the "master drink" took place at this very location. The Catholic troops, led by their commander Count Tilly, threatened to ransack the Protestant town of Rothenburg.

On a whim, Tilly proposed a challenge to the city's mayor: if he could consume a massive 3.25 liter tankard of Franconian wine in a single gulp, he would spare Rothenburg. Accepting the high-stakes challenge, the mayor successfully completed the feat, thus saving his beloved city. In 1910, statues of the two key figures involved in this event were integrated into the front of the Ratstrinkstube, and since then, they come to life every hour, reenacting this memorable episode.