Schäfertanzmuseum

About the museum

Sheep farming and the wool trade were important in medieval Rothenburg. The shepherds joined together in a brotherhood and venerated Saint Wolfgang, patron of the flocks, at a place of prayer in front of the Klingentor gate. There a small fortified church was built in the late 15th century; because of the brotherhood's annual festive service it was called the Schäferskirche (Shepherds' Church). After the service the shepherds went to an inn on the market square for food and dancing.

The custom of the Schäfertanz fell into oblivion and was revived in 1910/11 at the suggestion of Theodor Schletterer for a carnival event. The dance proved so popular that the association "Historischer Schäfertanz" was founded, which still performs it today, mainly at Pentecost and during the Reichsstadttage (Imperial City Days).

Since 1986 the association has shown an exhibition on sheep farming and the Schäfertanz on two floors of the church gatehouse: objects from shepherd life, the association's founding report, life-size figures of a dancing couple and a shepherd, and a puppet show with music that shows the dance formation on the market square against the backdrop of Rothenburg. A displayed bagpipe recalls the link to a Breton costume group, from which the twin-town partnership with Athis-Mons grew. The visit also includes the church with its three late Gothic altarpieces, as well as the casemates, gate tower and gun platform.

Highlights

• Exhibition on shepherding and the historic Schäfertanz in the gatehouse of the fortified church
• Puppet show of the dance formation on the Rothenburg market square
• Life-size figures of a shepherds' dancing couple in costume
• Late Gothic Schäferskirche St. Wolfgang with three altarpieces
• Casemates, gate tower and gun platform of the Klingentor bastion

Permanent exhibitions

• Schäferei und Schäfertanz – Exhibition in the gatehouse of St. Wolfgang Church on the shepherds' brotherhood, the revived Schäfertanz, costumes, and a puppet show of the dance formation on the market square.
• Bilder zur Zerstörung Rothenburgs im Zweiten Weltkrieg – Picture exhibition in the Schäferskirche on the destruction of the town in 1945.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Verein Historischer Schäfertanz

Admission & discounts

Admission covers the church and the museum.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

By car via the A7. The museum is located at the Klingentor bastion on the edge of Rothenburg's old town.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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