I found out there was a town in Germany that is believed to have been inspiration for the walled villages of Attack on Titan and immediately booked a flight. Nordlingen, Germany located in the state of Bavaria was used as inspiration for Shiganshina.
Nördlingen is a circular town surrounded by medieval walls. But why is the town a circular shape? Nördlingen sits inside the Nördlinger Ries, a massive 15-million-year-old meteorite impact crater. The town was built within the crater’s basin, which gives the area its distinctive circular landscape. The walls were later built around the town during the Middle Ages as a defensive fortification and still surround much of the historic center today.
This town really felt like you were stepping right inside of Wall Maria. If you climb up the steep steps of The Daniel Tower you will see the best views of Nordlingen.
Now, about my trip there! I was staying in Munich and took the train from München Hauptbahnhof to Nördlingen. The journey took about an hour and a half. I used Google Maps to find directions, which made figuring out the train route pretty easy. There are a few different train options depending on the time of day, so Google Maps will recommend the most convenient route for you. I would recommend giving yourself some extra time to get to your train, though, because München Hauptbahnhof is a huge station and it can take some time to navigate.
I would say a few hours is plenty of time to spend in Nördlingen. The first thing I did was walk along the city walls and take in the views of the historic town below. After that, I took a lunch break in the town square and grabbed a pizza at Pizzeria La Fontana. After lunch, it was time to climb the Daniel Tower for some of the most incredible views of the town—and, of course, have a little Attack on Titan photo shoot! I even spotted a few cosplayers while I was there. You’ll also notice Attack on Titan references and carvings throughout the town left behind by fans who have visited. After exploring the tower, I grabbed some dinner at Yummi Burger before hopping back on the train to Munich.
Overall, Nördlingen was such a fun stop and definitely one of the most unique places I visited in Germany. As an Attack on Titan fan, getting to walk along the city walls, climb the Daniel Tower, and see the town in person felt like stepping into the world of the anime. Even if you’re not an anime fan, Nördlingen is still a beautiful and fascinating medieval town that I think is worth adding to your Germany itinerary. But if you are an Attack on Titan fan, I’d definitely recommend making the trip—you won’t be disappointed!
