Generations - Romantik Hotel Markusturm

The backround story

The name of the Romantik Hotel Markusturm comes from the adjacent city gate. The tower and gate are remnants of the first city fortification built in 1172. Our building was once the town's customs house. Back then, anyone who had goods to declare often stayed in the city for a while – marking the beginning of our gastronomic business. Coaches were parked at the city gates, stables were used for horses, and travelers rested here. If the city gate had already closed for the night, they could find shelter here as well.

As the population grew, the city expanded, and in the 14th century, a second city wall was built. Today, the tower, gate, and Hotel Markusturm sit in the heart of the densely built city.

Die 1. Generation

Friedrich Reinwald and his wife Margarete – the miller's daughter from the village mill at Gebsattel – receive the hotel at Rödergasse 1 as a dowry and establish one of the first and most respected hotels in the city.

The 2nd Generation

Ernst, the older of the two sons, trained as a chef and waiter in Frankfurt and fought on the front lines during World War I. He returned unharmed and later met Thea in Lindau. Their different religious backgrounds were likely a reason for their decision to emigrate. She, a Catholic, and her fiancé, a Protestant, were married by the captain during their voyage to America. In the United States, they worked at one of the first amusement parks, Playland.

However, homesickness calls them back to Germany with their two-year-old son, Ernst, where they return to work at the Markusturm Hotel with his parents. During World War II, the hotel first serves as a home for returning German-Russian refugees, later becoming a hospital for wounded soldiers. In a bombing raid on March 31, 1945, 40% of the city center is destroyed. To protect the building from airstrikes, Thea distributes sandbags in the attic. Miraculously, the area remains almost completely undamaged.

The 3rd Generation

Marianne and her husband join the hotel business at the end of the 1950s, making groundbreaking decisions in response to the growing international tourism. In 1971, the hotel is expanded, modernized, and lovingly renovated with great attention to detail. As one of the best hotels with fine gastronomy in the area, they join the Romantik Hotels & Restaurants International group in 1973. They raise two children: Stephan and Gabriele, one of whom follows the classic path of hospitality.

The 4th Generation

After completing his chef training, Stephan travels through Europe. His journey takes him to Würzburg, Switzerland, Munich, Finland... and finally Heidelberg, where he falls in love. After attending master school, he brings Lilo with him to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where they take over the family business together in 1990.

"Just as three generations before us, we nurture and preserve the good spirit that has been in this house for ages..."

Stephan & Lilo Berger

The 5th Generation

Since 2022, Lissy has firmly called this place home, because there’s no place quite like it. While other kids played with their Playmobil castles and imagined being princes and princesses, she used hers to create a hotel. So, what could be more natural than to "give it a try"? After completing her training as a hotel management assistant, studying at the Heidelberg Hotel School, and gaining experience in other hotels, she returned to Rothenburg ob der Tauber – perhaps also due to a bit of homesickness for the charming small town – to pursue her dreams and continue the family tradition with full enthusiasm.

01.08.2023

Our Conclusion after More Than 125 Years

Let's take one more journey back in time to 1898. Our small medieval town is already very popular. Rothenburg ob der Tauber attracts visitors with its romantic squares and charming corners. As a top address, the Markusturm Hotel hosts guests from Russia and America.

Eine junge Müllerstochter erhält ihre Aussteuer und damit das Ticket in eine ganz andere Welt: das Hotel Markusturm wechselt den Besitzer und wird hiermit von Margarethe in erster Generation geführt.

A young miller's daughter receives her dowry and, with it, a ticket to an entirely different world: the Markusturm Hotel changes ownership and is now run by Margarethe in the first generation.

And so begins the story of our small, fine hotel. So much has changed in 125 years, it’s impossible to fit it all on one page. The world has been in a state of constant change. Perhaps no century has been as filled with rapid development and discoveries as the last one. Yet, it is precisely this ebb and flow that has shaped our house and made it what it is today. The ancient walls from the 12th century radiate something truly special: constancy. Security.

Now, we are in the 125th consecutive year – we couldn’t believe it ourselves when we did the math. Looking back at what three generations before us have built and shaped fills us with great pride. Many milestones have been reached, and challenges overcome. The family must work together, and communication plays a significant role. Tough times are endured together. Decisions are never made alone. It’s a constant ebb and flow – it’s never boring, there’s always something to do because stagnation… is regression.

We love what we do. We are your home away from home. We will continue like this. And for at least one more generation.

Beständigkeit gibt Sicherheit – darum sind unsere schützenden Mauern seit Ewigkeiten Zufluchtsort und Zuhause auf Zeit für Reisende aus aller Welt.

Constancy provides security – that’s why our protective walls have long been a refuge and temporary home for travelers from all over the world.