10 of the loveliest German old towns

A stroll through this Hanseatic city reveals its maritime flair. The center is surrounded like an island by two branches of the Trave River, which leads to the Baltic Sea. Trade made Lübeck rich in the late Middle Ages and many buildings now testify to what was the city's heyday. Some 1,800 buildings are listed historical monuments. The old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Lübeck and Wismar have much in common. Both Hanseatic towns lie on the water, though Wismar is the one with direct access to the Baltic Sea. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and visitors rave about them. Especially worth seeing in Wismar: Its port and three cathedrals. The marketplace is unique thanks to its historical gabled houses built in distinctive glazed reddish brick (pictured).

Quedlinburg, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, also convinced the UNESCO commission to put it on the prestigious list. Since 1994, its collegiate church, castle and old town have been World Heritage sites. Some 1,200 timber-framed buildings built over six centuries form a unique medieval ensemble marked by narrow lanes and cobbled squares.

Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque: All three styles can be found side by side in Germany's eastern-most city. Its multifaceted cityscape has attracted many a Hollywood producer. Scenes for films such as "Inglourious Basterds," "Grand Budapest Hotel" and "Goethe" were shot here.

Hessen is the state of timber-framed houses. It boasts more than 400,000 of them, and much is being done to preserve the structures. They attest to the ability of medieval craftsmen to make buildings from wood and clay that were stable, sustainable and beautiful. A prime example is Fritzlar with its marketplace, which is completely surrounded by a wide variety of timber-framed houses.

The heart of historical Bamberg is its old town hall, a landmark and popular photo subject. It was built on an artificial island in the Regnitz River and marks the former boundary of jurisdiction between the episcopal city on the hills and the ordinary citizens' town. The town hall is one of 2,000 listed buildings in Bamberg. The old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Since the 19th century, romantics have been captivated by Heidelberg's location on the Neckar River, as well as its Old Bridge, castle and old town. Poets and philosophers such as Goethe, Hölderlin, Heine and Hegel were full of enthusiasm for the town. These days, nearly 12 million tourists come to the Neckar each year to enjoy the romance of Heidelberg.

Rothenburg in Bavaria embodies every cliche associated with old German towns. It's fortified, with winding lanes lined by timber-framed houses. Its medieval center has been largely preserved and is surrounded by a walkable defensive wall. There are hardly any outward signs of modernity. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a highlight on the Romantic Road, Germany's first themed route.

The rivers Ilz, Inn and Danube converge in Passau. The latter two surround a spit of land on which the Baroque old town emerged in the 17th century. There are many churches and monasteries, among them St. Stephen's Cathedral, with the world's largest cathedral organ. The seat of the Catholic Bishop of Passau, it sits on the old town's highest point and dominates the cityscape even from afar.

Freiburg, which lies between the Kaiserstuhl hills and the Black Forest, is known for its high quality of life. The Bächle, small water-filled channels that run through the old town, contribute to that. They were presumably once part of the drainage system, but now they add to the charm of the city. But watch out! Legend has it that if you step into one, you have to marry someone from Freiburg.