In 1463 the city joined the Swiss Confederation, with which it was closely aligned for several centuries. Both its status as free city and its alliance with the Swiss Confederacy were eventually lost with the conquest of the region by Napoleon in 1803. The appearance of the town is very little changed from the 16th century.
Main sights
The late-Romanesque and Gothic-era Münster Heiliges Kreuz ("Minster of the Holy Cross"), built over a pre-existing church from 1270. It features a crucifix by Veit Stoss and noteworthy Gothic sculptures.
Kapellenkirche (1330-1340), a Gothic church with a tower and with three statue-decorated portals.
Lorenzkapelle ("Church of St. Lawrence", 16th century), in late Gothic style. It houses some two hundred works by Swabian masters and Gothic altarpieces from the 14th-15th centuries.
The City museum, including a notable mosaic with the legend of Orpheus.
The late-Gothic Town Hall (1521).
St. Pelagius, a Romanesque church from the 12th century. Excavations have brought to light Roman baths in the same site.
Other
The Rottweiler dog is named after this town; it used to be a butcher's dog in the region.
Adam of Rottweil, the fifteenth century scholar and printer, was born there.
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