Rain, Romantic Road

Rain is a small town of 8,800 residents located near the River Lech. It was founded in the mid-13th century for strategic purposes. Protecting Bavaria from the northwest, Rain was also a customs collection point for those crossing the bridge over the river.

The Battle of Rain took place in 1632 during the Thirty Years’ War. The battle was between the Swedish Protestant army and the Catholic League (a Holy Roman Empire coalition) commanded by the Count of Tilly. During the battle, Tilly and his second-in-command were severely injured, leaving the army leaderless. The army withdrew, and shortly after, Tilly died from his wound. A monument commemorating Tilly was erected in 1914 in front of the Town Hall.

The town centre comprises 17th- and 18th-century patrician houses, and Castle Rain, located at the north edge of the old town, is a 13th-century Castle. Built between 1392-1421, the castle originally had three wings within a fortified wall, with bastions to the north and east, and was surrounded by a moat. Access to the castle was via a drawbridge to the south. By 1960, one wing had been demolished and the moat filled. After WWII, it was used as temporary living quarters for displaced families and a school from 1972. Following extensive renovations in 2008, the castle is now used as a cultural hall.

Rain has quite the musical background, having been the birthplace of Michael Raucheisen (1889-1984), a pianist and song accompanist, and the Lachner brothers, all of whom became renowned musicians in the 19th century. A museum showcasing the history of the Lachner Brothers exists in Rain.