Originating in Germany as early as the 15th century, half-timbered construction became very popular in northern Europe.
Quedlinburg
The historic center of the city of Quedlinburg in the state of Saxony-Anhalt covers 80 hectares and is entirely built up with half-timbered houses. The entire city is one of the largest UNESCO World Heritage sites in Germany. The fully preserved medieval architecture includes unique half-timbered buildings from six centuries. Along narrow winding streets, about 2000 houses crowd together, above whose roofs rise the spire of St. Servatius Church and the monumental castle on Castle Hill.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The almost completely preserved historic center of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria, within its city walls, is a world-famous symbol of German romance. The meticulously reconstructed 'Gerlach's Forge' seems to have stepped out of the pages of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The silhouettes of the 42 towers of the city wall are silent witnesses to a thousand years of city history. On the market square of Rothenburg, besides the Gothic town hall, rise buildings from the Renaissance and Baroque eras.
Büdingen
Büdingen is known beyond the borders of Hesse for its medieval historic center with a castle. The city is considered one of the best-preserved urban ensembles in Europe. In the historic center are half-timbered houses, many of which are several hundred years old. Fragments of the city wall, watchtowers, and city gates are accessible to visitors. The symbol of Büdingen is the squat gate tower of the 'Jerusalem Gate'. It was built in 1503 after the model of the Sheep Gate of Jerusalem.
Celle
Figuratively speaking, the picturesque town of Celle in Lower Saxony is the gateway to the Lüneburg Heath. Its historic center is adorned with over 500 lovingly restored half-timbered houses. The ducal castle, the town church, the Old Town Hall are the oldest buildings of this residential town. The most striking landmark is the Hoppener Haus, a corner house built in 1532. Devilish and jesters' figures, fairy-tale creatures, chimeras, and reptiles literally swarm on the richly decorated façade of the house.
Esslingen
Between vineyards and the bank of the Neckar River lies the former free imperial city of Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg. The fully preserved historic part of the city retains many traces of a thousand years of history – majestic churches, monasteries, city gates, towers, and the oldest half-timbered houses in Germany. All of them testify to the former prosperity of the medieval city. Today, the city is known for its four-week Christmas market, which takes place on the medieval market square.