ABSTRACT

Rothenburg's development through the middle of the nineteenth century was characterized by stagnation and even decline. Yet in parallel with German unification, Rothenburg emerged as a place of national significance. Feature articles in prominent periodicals and the writings of a few distinguished visitors lifted Rothenburg out of obscurity. The themes raised by these authors anticipated the great celebrity that Rothenburg would achieve by the turn of the century. Beyond being a popular tourist attraction, Rothenburg became a type of national monument, a place reminiscent of a past and an image of national community that appealed to middle and upper class Germans. Although their government appeared indifferent to national symbols - there was no official national flag until 1892 - many Germans certainly were not.) They actively sought out symbols and places to represent their nation. 'A vision of Germany was needed,' Kenneth Olwig noted, 'which somehow would allow for the transferal of identity from the various lands to a larger nation-state, while maintaining the semblance of diversity within unity.'2 Rothenburg offered one popular vision of Germany based on a shared memory of urban life and national unity within the medieval Holy Roman Empire.