🇩🇪 Noerdlingen (St. George's Church, Daniel Tower)
Noerdlingen - St. Georg (Daniel) · 뇌르틀링겐
Location
Overview
Nördlingen is a medieval town that sits inside the Ries, an impact crater formed by a meteorite roughly 15 million years ago, and it is famous as Germany's only town with a fully preserved circular wall you can walk right around (about 2.7 km). At its heart stands St. George's Church, a late-Gothic hall church built in the 15th century (c. 1427–1505) almost entirely from 'suevite', the crater's impact rock, crowned on the west by the roughly 90-metre bell tower known as the 'Daniel'. As of 2026 the old tradition lives on: every evening the tower watchman (Türmer) still calls out "So, G'sell, so" from the top. Climb the 350 steps to the viewing gallery and the whole ring wall and the Ries crater plain open up beneath you, making it a highlight of any Romantic Road trip.
The ~90 m 'Daniel' tower viewing gallery — climb 350 steps for a panorama over the ring wall and the Ries crater plain
The watchman's nightly call "So, G'sell, so" — a living tradition carried on from the Middle Ages
Church walls built of 'suevite', the meteorite impact rock that contains tiny diamonds
One of southern Germany's largest late-Gothic hall churches — an airy three-aisled nave about 93 m long lined with stone pillars
From the top, the view over Germany's only completely preserved circular walled town
Good to know
SafetyIt is roughly 350 narrow, steep spiral steps to the viewing gallery, with no elevator. The medieval stairway is worn and tight, so hold the rail and take it slowly; skip it if you have knee or heart trouble, and be careful with small children.
SeasonOpening hours are shorter from November to March (typically closing around 4–5 p.m.), and the 90 m platform can be windy and very cold. Bring wind- and cold-proof clothing and non-slip shoes, and confirm the current hours before you go.
RulesTickets are sold at the Tourist-Information (in the Leihhaus) or paid in cash to the watchman at the top, who may not carry change — bring small bills and coins, and don't assume cards are accepted. The special Saturday evening climb at 21:30 (roughly April–September) has limited places and must be booked in advance at the Tourist-Information.
MannersSt. George's is still an active parish church. The tower or nave may close temporarily for services, weddings or events, so keep quiet inside and avoid overly revealing clothing out of respect.
SafetyThe tower can be closed at short notice in high wind, thunderstorms or other bad weather, and the exposed platform is especially affected. Check the forecast and that day's opening with the Tourist-Information before heading up.
CautionThe town itself is small and safe, but stay alert to pickpockets at larger transfer stations such as Munich or Augsburg and around Romantic Road tour crowds. Regional trains often run only hourly, so allow generous connection times and consider a Deutschland-Ticket or Bayern-Ticket for regional travel (confirm current price and terms).
Practical info
It is about a 15-minute walk from Nördlingen station to the old-town centre, and roughly 2–3 hours by train from Munich, Nuremberg or Stuttgart (weekday services toward Augsburg and Stuttgart are generally about hourly). Entering the nave of St. George's is free, but climbing the Daniel tower is ticketed (adults around €4.50, with a children's discount); always confirm the ticket outlet, opening hours and evening-climb dates with the Tourist-Information or the official website for the latest information.
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