Creglingen in Germany’s Tauber Valley is famous for its Tilman Riemenschneider woodcarved Marienaltar (Altar of the Virgin) in the Herrgottskirche, the Fingerhutmuseum (Thimble Museum), and the odd Lindleinturm.
Tilman Riemenschneider’s famous Virgin Mary altar in Creglingen is world-famous and the main reason to visit this small Tauber Valley town. The small Thimble Museum (Fingerhutmuseum) with a large collection may be the only of its kind in the world. The Lindleimturm is an offbeat sight in Creglingen and a must for lovers of the odd and bizarre.
See the Herrgottkirche with Marienaltar in Creglingen
The main sight in Creglingen is without a doubt the Herrgottskirche (Lord’s Chapel), Kirchplatz 2, tel 07933-7453. The 14th-century Gothic chapel itself is unremarkable, but the 10-m/33-ft Marienaltar (Altar of the Virgin Mary) by Tilman Riemenschneider is world-famous.
The Marienaltar, carved around 1510, illustrates in minute detail the life of the Virgin Mary. Riemenschneider carved the life-size figures himself, as well as the predella scenes of the Epiphany and Jesus amongst the Learned.
After the Reformation, the church became Lutheran, which explains the excellent state of repair of the altar (as well as the admission fee). Protestants do not believe in the assumption of Mary, the central theme of the altar, and thus, the altar was hidden away for three centuries.
The filigree shrine was designed for the best natural light effect on the celebration of the Assumption of Mary. This is traditionally on August 15, but as the altar was made prior to the Gregorian calendar reform, the best day to visit is August 25.
The church is around 2 km/1.5 miles outside town on the road to Münster – if hiking, follow the Herrgottskirche road next to the stream.
→ See Visit the Herrgottskirche in Creglingen to See Tilman Riemschneider’s Maria Altar for more details on the church, photos of the remarkable altar, and current opening hours.
Visit the Fingerhutmseum (Thimble Museum) in Creglingen
Adjacent to the Herrgottkirche is the private Fingerhutmuseum (Thimble Museum), Kohlesmühle 6, tel 07933-370. It claims to be the only thimble museum in the world and has over 3,500 items on display. Some of these small items, the German term literally translates as “finger hat”, are of incredible artistic merit. Many are of gold, silver, or porcelain; some with miniature paintings and inlays on the side. The oldest is 2,500 years old.
Unfortunately, this small museum is now mostly open only by prior arrangement. Admission is €25 for up to 10 persons and then €2.50 for each additional visitor.
See the Lindleinturm Museum in Creglingen
The old town of Creglingen is pretty too with many half-timbered houses, many built on top of ramparts. An interesting new museum is the Lindleinturm Museum, Stadtgraben 12, tel 07933-7237. It is in a small half-timbered house erected in 1795 on top of a medieval bastion. It was occupied from the 1920s to 1995 by Margarete Böttiger, an eccentric and argumentative woman.
Margarete Böttiger lived alone with numerous cats but made do without hot water and many other modern-day conveniences. After her death, at age 98, she left the house and a sum of money to the town on the provision that it be kept as a museum in the state it was at her death.
The rather unique Lindleinturm Museum can only be seen on a guided tour – a maximum of six persons in the house at any one time. Check opening hours with the tourist office.
Creglingen Tourist Office
Touristinformation Creglngen, An der Romantischen Straße 14, 97993 Creglingen, Germany, tel 07933-631.
Further Destinations & Information on the Tauber Valley in Germany
- Introduction and Transportation in the Liebliches Taubertal
- Wertheim – Outlet mall shopping at the confluence of the Tauber and Main Rivers.
- Tauberbischofsheim & Lauda Königshofen – Half-Timbered Townscapes
- Bad Mergentheim – Old Town, Spa & Stuppacher Madonna
- Deutschordenschloss – Teutonic Order Castle in Bad Mergentheim
- Weikersheim (Renaissance Schloss) & Röttingen
- Creglingen – Riemenschneider Altar & Thimble Museum
- Hotels & Restaurants – Where to Sleep and Eat in the Tauber Valley
- Tauber Valley Cultural Events and Outdoor Adventures
More on Rothenburg ob der Tauber
For more on the Rothenburg ob der Tauber and nearby sights on the Romantic Road:
- Top Sights on the Romantische Straße with Romantic Road Map
- Walk on the Ramparts and Sentry Walk on the Wall of Rothenburg
- Visit the St.-Jakobs-Kirche (St James Church) with the Tilman Riemenschneider Holy Blood Altar
- Visit the Medieval Crime Museum
- Visit the Wolfgang’s Church in the Klingenbastei
- See the Herrgottskirche with Tilman Riemenschneider Altar of the Virgin in nearby Creglingen
- Transportation to Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Driving or Take the Train
- Bus Day-Trip Tours are often available from Frankfurt or Munich.
- Hotel prices in Rothenburg are surprisingly reasonable, except over weekends.
- Save with the Bayern-Ticket on Train Transportation in Bavaria
- Get online quotations for taxis and airport shuttles from Frankfurt or Munich airports.
