Drink to Save the Nation: The Legendary Drinking Contest of Rothenburg Reenacts Medieval History

Written/Compiled and Reported by Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network

 

Situated in Bavaria, Germany, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a tourist town that still retains the charm of a medieval ancient city. In 1631, during the “Thirty Years’ War” in Europe, Rothenburg was occupied by an imperial army led by Count Tilly. When the entire town was shrouded in despair, Count Tilly suddenly proposed that if anyone could drink a 3.25-liter goblet of wine in one go, Rothenburg would be spared from devastation.

The then-mayor, Nusch, to save Rothenburg, accepted the challenge and drank the entire 3.25 liters of wine in one breath, leaving the enemy commander stunned and rescuing the town. To commemorate this historic event, Rothenburg has held a festival celebrating this pivotal moment — “Der Meistertrunk” (The Master Drink) — regularly since 1881.

This year’s “The Master Drink” will take place from May 25 to 28 at Rothenburg’s Town Hall. From Friday to Monday, there will be different events each day, with the highlight being the one-and-a-half-hour performance of “The Master Drink.” It is scheduled for 20:00 on Friday, 15:00 and 17:00 on Saturday, 10:00 and 12:30 on Sunday, and 12:30 on Monday. If you miss the main event, a unique clock on the wall of the Town Hall Square features small doors that open at scheduled times each day to reenact the story of “The Master Drink.” The Imperial City Museum also displays the large drinking goblet used during the event, crafted in 1616.

Visitors can climb to the top of the Town Hall’s highest tower, where they can enjoy a panoramic view of Rothenburg. However, the top is very narrow, and visitors must wait for those above to descend before entering. For more details about the festival, check the official website: en.meistertrunk.de.

 

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