Rottweil Fasnet Carnival
One of the most famous Swabian-Alemannic carnivals, held in the days before Ash Wednesday in February, with the Narrensprung jester parades on Carnival Monday and Tuesday and around 6,000 colourfully costumed fools.
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Rottweil
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ℹ️Practical info — Rottweil
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Be sure to book tickets for the test tower observation deck online in advance to avoid long queues.
- The old town has welcoming but sometimes steep streets-comfortable footwear is essential here.
- During the traditional Fasnet carnival, the town gets extremely crowded; book accommodation months in advance.
- As you stroll through the town, look out for the elaborately painted oriel windows and wrought-iron inn signs.
🍽 Food
🍽
Maultaschen
You will find these classic Swabian filled pasta pockets on almost every menu of the historic taverns in the center.
🍽
Black Forest Ham
Buy this specialty directly from one of the long-established butchers in the side streets of the old town.
🍽
Local Craft Beer
Enjoy a fresh beer at the breweries or traditional taverns near the Black Gate (Schwarzes Tor).
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Fasnet Masks (Larven)
You can admire and buy the traditional wooden masks of the Rottweil carnival in specialized woodcarving shops.
🛍
Farmers' Market
The first-rate place to buy Swabian delicacies and fresh produce directly in a historic setting.
🧘
Bockshof
A small park located on the historic city wall, offering a magnificent view over the Neckar valley.
🧘
Neckar Valley
Descend from the old town for a peaceful stroll right along the banks of the Neckar river.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
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As the oldest town in Baden-Württemberg, Rottweil breathes history and long-standing tradition at every corner. Founded by the Romans, the town fascinates visitors today with a breathtakingly beautiful medieval old town, where magnificent patrician houses with ornate oriel windows and wrought-iron inn signs dominate the streetscape. Two imposing gates, the Black Gate (Schwarzes Tor) and the prominent High Tower (Hochturm), watch over the historic core. Rottweil is world-famous for its traditional Swabian-Alemannic carnival, the "Fasnet"; the spectacular "Narrensprung" parade, featuring thousands of elaborately carved wooden masks, attracts tens of thousands of spectators every year. Dog lovers also know the name, as this is the origin of the famous Rottweiler dog breed. A spectacular contrast to the historical backdrop rises into the sky just outside the town: the 246-metre-high ThyssenKrupp Test Tower, used for modern elevator research. Its public viewing platform, the highest in Germany, provides an unparalleled panoramic view over the Black Forest to the Swiss Alps. Rottweil thus uniquely combines deep roots with high-tech.
- Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Top sights: TK Elevator Test Tower · Heilig-Kreuz Minster · Schwarzes Tor Gate
- Nearby: Trossingen (10 km)
- Population: ~25.548
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -2 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 3 | -1 |
| Rain mm | 68 | 54 | 66 | 67 | 109 | 108 | 109 | 106 | 76 | 80 | 68 | 77 |
Geography
Facts
- Elevation: 599 meters above sea level
- Total area: 71.8 square kilometers
- Roman name: Arae Flaviae
- Highest public observation deck in Germany (232 m)
- Famous for the 'Rottweiler Narrensprung'
- Located on the upper Neckar river
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Rottweil (11)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Rottweil known as the 'oldest city in Baden-Württemberg'?
Rottweil was founded by the Romans as early as 73 AD (Arae Flaviae) and has a very long history.
What is the TK Elevator Test Tower?
A 246-meter high tower with Germany's highest observation deck (232 m), used for elevator testing.
Does the Rottweiler dog really originate from here?
Yes, the name is derived from the city. The dogs used to serve butchers as herding and guard dogs.
When does the Rottweiler Narrensprung take place?
This is the highlight of the Swabian-Alemannic Carnival (Fasnet) on Rose Monday and Shrove Tuesday at 8:00 AM.
How is the old town designed?
The old town impresses with bay-windowed houses, medieval alleys, and the striking Kapellenkirche.
Rottweil: where is it located?
Rottweil is located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Rottweil: what is there to see?
Highlights include TK Elevator Test Tower, Heilig-Kreuz Minster, Schwarzes Tor Gate.
Rottweil: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Rottweil: why is it worth visiting?
As the oldest town in Baden-Württemberg, Rottweil breathes history and long-standing tradition at every corner.
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