The Gerlachschmiede is one of Rothenburg's most beautiful half-timbered buildings, originally built in 1469 and destroyed in a US bombing raid in 1945. It was lovingly rebuilt in 1951 to its former glory with its distinctive curved roof, weather vane, and colorful coat of arms. It operated as an active blacksmith shop until 1967. Today it is privately owned and can only be admired from the outside.