The Historical Roads of Rudolstadt

Todays' Stiftgasse (Charity Alley) was the first Hauptstrasse (Main Street) of Rudolstadt.
From this street many other little streets and ways branched off. Hence, the shape of the town was called a "ladder town".
By the end of the 14th Century Rudolstadt was outgrowing its' borders. A new town wall had to be built 100m (nearly 300ft.) to the south of the old wall. The still present Mauerstrasse (Wall Street) was built there a century later.
The Marktstrasse (Market Street) was located between the former Hauptstrasse (Main Street) and the new town wall and remains there to this day. Around 1980 this area was designated a pedestrian area and serves the purpose of what you would call a mall in America. Rudolstadt is situated on the ancient trade route between Nürnberg and Leipzig. Many foreign influences were introduced to Rudolstadt as a result. The Bianci Court in the Market Street is constructed in typical italic style. In earlier days it served religious purposes.
But Rudolstadt retained its own customs at all times. Rudolstadt has preserved its own customs and traditions through the ages. Today, portions of the old trade routes are taken up by Bundesstrassen 85 and 88 (Federal Highways 85 and 88, B85 & B88). Both cross the present center of Rudolstadt. Autobahn 4 (Interstate 4, A4) is 35km away on B88.
Between Stadtilm and Marlishausen you can reach the A71. A better, nearer route from Rudolstadt to A71 is under constrction now.
Rudolstadt has had a Bahnhof (Railroad Station) since 1874.
The Saale River Bicycle Path goes by way of Rudolstadt too.
From the legacy of the so called "Classical Period", Rudolstadt has the distinction of the "Classical Street" passing through it too. The same can be said of the porcelain-street. Macheleidt reinvented porcelain here, the production of which has spread throughout the region.
The Anchor Stone Building Sets made here have even put Rudolstadt on the Spielzeugstrasse (Toy Street).

The most route-planer only show until now a wrong way through Rudolstadt. Thats why here are the changes:

• From and to Cumbach you only can drive since Oktobre 2004 over the new Townbridge, so you have to turn to right from Cumbacher Street into Röntgenstreet until to the end. At the beginning of the Catharinauer Str. the new Townbridge starts in Cumbach and ends in the Eaststreet (Oststraße).
  The old Townbridge only is for going by feet, and after it through a tunnel to the Gartenstraße.
  The railway-crossing behind the old bridge doesn't exist since end of 2004.
• To Weimar you can normally (often diversions because of construction work) comming from railway station already turn to left at the old Cumbach-crossing.
• Between Karlstraße and incomming into Oststraße the Gartenstraße is a one way street into direction Jena.