Chronicles of Rothenburg, Puzzle Tour

A puzzle you actually walk, through a real town, with a map that feels like real treasure. That was the idea. And Rothenburg was the only place I ever wanted to make it.

Partner Rothenburg ob der Tauber · with Lothar Schmidt Services Concept, illustration, puzzle design & seal Year 2023

Die gesiegelte Schatzkarte »Chronicles of Rothenburg« — The hand-sealed treasure map, "Chronicles of Rothenburg".

The Idea

I wanted to build a puzzle tour that doesn't vanish into a screen but happens outdoors, a scavenger hunt through a real town, on a map that looks like a genuine treasure map. Rothenburg was never up for debate: the well-preserved town walls, the medieval charm, all that history around every corner, I love this town. So I simply called them up and asked whether we felt like putting something like this together. They were delighted, finally a project you can actually hold in your hands, not just something on a screen.

The Town as a Playing Field

The key to it all was Lothar Schmidt, who knows Rothenburg's history inside out. Together with him and my brother Daniel, I walked the whole old town, corner by corner. I drew the entire street layout and shaped it into a treasure map, and from that, with everything Lothar shared with me, I built the puzzles. What started as a collaboration grew into a friendship that still holds today.

Map & Seal

I had the map printed and designed my own seal, which I then had made to order. Every single copy I sealed by hand. "Chronicles of Rothenburg" was sold through the town's tourist office. There is an unbelievable amount of work and heart in it, but above all so much joy. A project that carried me back to my roots: the Middle Ages, history, made by hand.