The Franconian Switzerland is a charming low mountain range north of Nuremberg is located. The area belongs to Franconian Albwhich stretches crescent-shaped between the Danube and the Obermain. Many streams and rivers have dug themselves deep into the karst of the plateau. Lime leaching has also resulted in many stalactite caves, some of which have been expanded into show caves. In the east it closes Hersbrucker Alb at.
Regions
- Northern Franconian Switzerland - north of Pegnitz, Pottenstein and Ebermannstadt. The districts of Forchheim, Bamberg, Bayreuth and Lichtenfels have shares.
- Southern Franconian Switzerland - the district of Forchheim and the south of the district of Bayreuth.
places
The most famous places are (further places in the two subpages):
- 1 Aufseß
- the place with the highest density of breweries in the world - 2 Forchheim - the old royal city with the Kellerwald
- 3 Ebermannstadt - the entrance to the Wiesent valley.
- 4 Egloffstein - with its castle and the Hundshaupten wildlife park
- 5 Gößweinstein - with pilgrimage basilica.
- 6 Graefenberg - with the tower clock museum and the Fünf-Seidla-Steig
Forchheim
Egloffstein
- 7 Muggendorf - at the Wiesent.
- 8 Pegnitz - the eastern boundary of Franconian Switzerland.
- 9 Pottenstein - with the devil's cave.
- 10 Streitberg - with the bing cave.
- 11 Thurnau - Market place on the northeastern edge; Thurnau Castle and St. Laurentius Church.
- 12 Waischenfeld - Main place for fly fishermen; Waischenfeld Castle with a round tower on a rock plateau.
- 13 Wonsees - with the rock garden Sanspareil and the medieval castle Zwernitz
.jpg/350px-Pottenstein_(HDR_Aufnahmetechnik).jpg)
.JPG/331px-Thurnau,_Schlossweiher_(03).JPG)
Gößweinstein
Pottenstein
Thurnau
Other goals
There are many destinations that are worth a trip in Franconian Switzerland: climbing rocks, castles, caves, breweries and much more.
In earlier times there was often a lack of water on the karst plateaus of Franconian Switzerland. Every spring it was hoped that the wells and springs would not dry up over the course of the summer. For this reason, at some point in time before Easter, the fountains and springs were cleaned and festively decorated from Good Friday until two weeks after Easter. In the meantime, the fountains are being decorated again in many villages in Franconian Switzerland, and a place is trying to find the to surpass others. One of the largest decorated Easter fountains, if not the largest, is in Bieberbach. Meanwhile, travel companies offer bus trips from one fountain to the next on pre-Easter weekends, followed by a stop at a brewery. It doesn't always have to be a bus trip: even a family trip by car or bike to the Easter fountain is an experience.
background
The (Franconian) vernacular says: Beer is a staple food in Bavaria, the fifth element in Franconia!
Franconian Switzerland is the place with the world's highest density of breweries. Well over 250 Breweries, mostly in private hands, are spread over the whole area. The place Aufseß at Hollfeld With less than 1,400 inhabitants, it is the place with the highest brewery density per inhabitant in the world with four breweries.
Meander Cave
Franconian Switzerland also stands for prehistoric culture in Germany: The approximately 80 meter long cave in the area between Muggendorf and Aufseß was (re) discovered by cave researchers in 1991; inside the central room is a chapel with sintered mineral deposits. On these deposits there are approx. 10,000 to 12,000 year old drawings as engravings / incisions, they are the first ever discovery of Stone Age cave art in Germany. Due to ongoing research, the cave is closed and not open to the public.
language
Even if the Franconian is a bit more audible here than in Nuremberg, you can always make yourself understood as an "outsider". Foreign language skills are indeed partially available, but rather moderate in the older semesters. "Hands and feet" are often indispensable for communication if you don't have someone with you who can interpret German.
getting there
By plane
The closest international airport is the 
Nuremberg Airport (IATA: NUE) 
In the street
Franconian Switzerland lies between the motorways 
, 
, 
and 
.
By train
The closest ICE train stations are Bamberg and Nuremberg, from there with a change in Forchheim to Ebermannstadt.
mobility
The southern areas of Franconian Switzerland are part of the transport network for the greater Nuremberg area VGN, which between May and the end of November also has several Leisure lines offers.
The German toy route and the Castle Road cross the area in a north-south direction.
Tourist Attractions
Mountains and viewpoints
- 1 Little Kulm - At 626 m, the elevation is the highest mountain in Franconian Switzerland. On the hilltop there is a 15 m high observation tower, newly built in 2000, with a wide panoramic view. Next 1 Parking lot for hikers)
- 2 Mount Walberla - please refer article of the same name
- 3 Leienfels castle ruins on the 590 m high Schlossberg.
- 4 Wank stone - Rock cliff with a viewpoint above the village of the same name.
- 5 Neubürg (587 m) at Mistelgau.
- 6 Signalstein (rock cliff) - Climbable, 12 m high rock cliff in the forest with a viewing platform. However, no longer a great view, as it was largely ingrown by the forest.
- Viewpoints at Gößweinstein. The community lies above the Wiesent valley.
Caves and natural monuments
Show caves: The 1 Devil's cave at Pottenstein begins with a huge rock grotto, one of the largest in Germany. Behind it begins the actual cave with stalactites. The large "Barbarossadom" with dimensions of 45 x 18 x 15 m is particularly impressive; a village church would have space in the giant hall. There are guided tours of around 45 minutes. Tel. 49 (0) 9243 208 or Tourist office Pottenstein. The 2 Bing cave in Streitberg was discovered and developed in 1905 by the Nuremberg toy manufacturer Ignaz Bing. It has a length of about 400 m and contains fantastic stalactite formations. The Bing cave is Germany's largest gallery stalactite cave. Tel. 49 (0) 9196 19433 or Tourist information Muggendorf / Streitberg. The 3 Sophienhöhle near Rabenstein in the Ahorntal is one of the most beautiful caves in Germany. Tel. 49 (0) 9202 970044-0 or Ahorntal Tourist Info or. on the side of Rabenstein Castle.
The following caves can be traversed on a hike:
- The Quack lock, a cave ruin, and the Giant castle, a collapse doline, are enclosed with Engelhardsberg, more information www.wiesenttal.de.
- The Klauskirche / Wassersteintor are included Betzenstein.
Franconian Switzerland is a karst area with acid-soluble rocks. The penetration of carbonic acid in limestone fissures formed over 1,000 caves. Many of them are rich in stalactites, some of them can also be explored. With a caving guide and the right equipment, some of the undeveloped Crevasse caves can be viewed from the inside.
Porpoise are, like geysers, bubbling springs. On some days with columns of water up to two meters high, on other days it is dried out, hence the name ´ fountain of hunger´. These rare natural spectacles can be admired in the Leinleitertal near the Heroldsmühle near Heiligenstadt.
They are widely unique 4 Sintered terraces in the Lillachtal Weißenohe in the community Graefenberg. They are created by separating dissolved minerals from the water; the most famous are in Pamukkale in Turkey.
The Ludwigshöhle
Cave bear skeleton in the Sophienhöhle
The sinter terraces of the Lillach
Castles
There are well over 100 castles in Franconian Switzerland, some of which are still inhabited today or have been converted into hotels; some of them are only ruins left. Also the Castle Road leads from castle to castle across the area.
Examples include: Unteraufseß Castle owned by the Barons von Aufseß, Egloffstein Castle owned by the Barons von und zu Egloffstein high above the Trubach Valley; Castle Pottenstein over the Püttlachtal, in almost unchanged form over the town of the same name. The barons of Trockau have sat at Castle Trockau since 1316; Tüchersfeld Castle houses the Franconian Switzerland Museum. Wüstenstein, Thuisbrunn and Rabeneck are half ruins, Zwernitz Castle next to the Sanspareil Park is to be renovated. Everyone who likes knights and the Middle Ages will get their money's worth in Franconian Switzerland.
Neideck castle ruins
.JPG/269px-Burg_Rabeneck_(2).JPG)
Rabeneck Castle towers over the Wiesent Valley
.JPG/269px-Burg_Rabeneck_(2).JPG)
activities
To celebrate
During the warm months there is always a church fair (Kerwa) somewhere. The parish fair begins on Thursday, when it is 'dug up'. On Thursday there is the famous "horseradish meat" (meat with horseradish sauce and dumplings), on Friday there are dishes fresh from the pork: blood and liver sausages, press sacks, meat platters, roast pork or "Schäuferle". With coffee there is "Küchla", the Franconian lard pastry. On Saturday and Sunday there is a real celebration, either in the village inn or in the marquee, with brass and / or rock music, often with a pageant. Monday is "Nachkerwa", often with a rock concert, and on Tuesday the parish fair is 'buried' again until next year. Here you can find an eternal one Parish calendar to look up where the next church fair is.
water sports
An adventure pool for families is that Therme Obernsees with slide, steam bath and sauna area.
But also the one that has been in operation since 2010 Forchheim Königsbad Well worth a visit, with an outdoor and indoor pool area, it can be used at any time of the year. In addition to two sports pools (25 and 50 m pools), it offers a three-meter diving platform, three slides and a sauna area for relaxation.
There are outdoor pools in Betzenstein, Ebermannstadt, Egloffstein, Forchheim, Muggendorf, Pottenstein and Streitberg. There are indoor swimming pools in Ebermannstadt, Forchheim and Pottenstein
The Wiesent enables the only river migration that is still permitted in Franconian Switzerland. The river stretch of around 28 km is particularly recommended for fans of easy white water (levels of difficulty WW I and II) (info).
Boat rental company:
- Doos parking lot location, kayak rental service René Busch, Kapellenplatz 6, 91320 Ebermannstadt, Tel .: 49 (0) 9194 722186, Tel .: at the rental location: 49 (0) 9196-998423, Fax: 09194-725844, Mobile: 49 (0) 170-5408165, e-mail: info @ kajak-mietservice .de
- Boat and kayak rental at the Stempfermühle Thomas flour, Behringersmühle 19a, 91327 Gößweinstein, Tel .: 49 (0) 170 7551943, Fax: 09134-908685
hike
Franconian Switzerland is a paradise for hikers. Around 4,000 kilometers of marked hiking trails are available.
- The Five Seidla Steig is a brewery route about 10 kilometers in length to the five private breweries in the municipalities Graefenberg and Weißenohe
- Many of the Beer cellar in Franconia can be found here and are worthwhile destinations for hiking and cycling tours.
Hiking trail through the beech forest
Boaters on the Wiesent
High ropes courses
- Funtastic events, Sportplatzstr. 40, 91356 Kirchehrenbach. Outdoor training.
- High ropes course, Hundsdorf 20, 91286 Obertrubach. Tel.: 49 (0)9245 9127.
- Climbing forest Pottenstein, Weidenloh, 91278 Pottenstein. Tel.: 49 (0)9243 998965.
Steam locomotive on the route from Ebermannstadt to Behringersmühle
Sanspareil ruin theater
Paraglider
Climb
- Rodenstein / Walberla, 39 routes from II - VIII-, 25 m
- Röthelfels, 114 routes from II - IX, 25 - 40 m
- Haselstauden walls, monk and nun, 66 routes from III - VIII, 20 m
- Zehnerstein, 34 routes from III - VIII, 30 m
- Graischer bleaching stone walls, 55 routes from III - VIII, 18 m
- Leupoldsteiner Wand, 49 routes from IV - X, 25 m
- Plecher Wand, 24 routes from III - IX, 18 m
railroad
The 16 km long railway line from Ebermannstadt after Behringersmühle was from the "Steam Railway Franconian Switzerland" accepted. The association runs a scheduled operation with steam and diesel locomotives and historically reconditioned passenger coaches on this scenic route. The St. Nicholas rides are also popular with children, but you have to register early.
fishing
The Wiesent and its tributaries are an Eldorado for fly fishermen. Between Waischenfeld and Ebermannstadt there are many ways Day tickets to acquire. Bottom and spin fishermen are not neglected either.
theatre
The Franconian theater summer is a "wandering open-air theater" that travels the Franconian Switzerland region all year round with a small ensemble in the style of medieval vagabond stages.
additional
- There are two in Pottenstein Summer toboggan runs.
- There are opportunities for hang-gliding and paragliding in Siegritz near Heiligenstadt (nbdf.de), Hohenmirsberg near Pottenstein, Hohenpölz near Heiligenstadt and on the Neubürg.
- There are mini golf courses in Gößweinstein, Muggendorf and Pottenstein
Regular events
- Around Easter (April 4, 2021) the decorated Easter fountain to be admired
- Depending on the weather, the is in April Cherry blossom
- The highlights in the Christmas calendar are Light festivals with the burning of mountain fires and processional celebrations. Thousands of small wood fires are lit on the mountain slopes after dark, the street lights go out, a church procession is held End of Eternal Adoration walks through the village, bells ring and the brass band plays church melodies.
- on December 20th from 7:00 p.m. in Oberailsfeld, a district of Maple Valley
- on New Year's Eve from 5 p.m. in Nankendorf, a district of Waischenfeld
- on January 3rd from 5 p.m. in Obertrubach
- on January 6th from 5 p.m. in Pottenstein
- further light festivals are
- on November 25th in Ebermannstadt, in the parish church of St. Nicholas. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., prayer hours, followed by a procession from the parish church through the main street to the market square and back.
- on December 21st from 5 p.m. in Volsbach, a district of Maple Valley with a procession of lights through the village.
- on December 26th from 4 p.m. in Gößweinstein Adoration in the church, light procession around 5 p.m. from the basilica through the town
kitchen
Franconian Switzerland is the area with the highest density of breweries in the world, see also Breweries in Franconia. In many places you can find brewery inns with several types of beer, mostly dark, only a little bitter and drinkable. The roast kitchen is held up, and hearty snacks are served in many places. Fine distillates are made from the fruits of the orchards in small distilleries, see also Distilleries in Franconia.
Sharp weeks: In October, restaurateurs regularly offer their own menu with at least three main courses with horseradish (horseradish) (Info).
Lamb knuckle with dumpling
Leg of wild hare with dumpling and red cabbage
.jpg/300px-Rauchfleisch_Bohnakern_Klöß_(2).jpg)
Smoked meat with bean kernels and dumplings
.jpg/300px-Rauchfleisch_Bohnakern_Klöß_(2).jpg)
- Cabbage sausage consists of pork to which about a third sauerkraut or boiled white cabbage are added. They are eaten fresh or smoked. In the herb season from October to March, you can get them in butchers and inns.
nightlife
At the weekend people meet in different dance halls.
- Dance center jug in Breitenlesau
- Dance center Deuber in Modschiedel
- Music center Trockau
- Sauer Brewery in Gunzendorf near Buttenheim
In addition, the Bamberg city center offers numerous traditional pubs and bars. There is more about this in the Enjoyment guide Bamberg:
security
Don't forget your torch on cave tours and never crawl into a cave alone!
In the event of a cave accident, the rescue control center Bamberg Tel. 49 (0) 951 19222 or Forchheim Tel. 49 (0) 9191 19222 must be notified.
climate
literature
- Franconian Switzerland: hiking guide with 35 tours - GPS-mapped routes (MM hiking). Müller, Michael, Apr. 2015, ISBN 978-3899536669 , P. 228.
- ; Manuela Kraus (Ed.): The castles of Franconian Switzerland - a cultural guide. Cultural Office of the Forchheim District, Apr. 2015, ISBN 978-3981518818 , P. 420.
Hiking maps:
- Appelt maps: Inner Franconian Switzerland 1: 35,000, Northern Franconian Switzerland 1: 50,000, Hersbruck Switzerland 1: 35,000
- Fritsch hiking maps 1: 50,000, No. 53 - Franconian Switzerland Nature Park, South Sheet, No. 66 - Bamberg - Forchheim, No. 128 - South-Eastern Franconian Switzerland; No. 125 - Trubachtal, No. 148 - North-Eastern Franconian Switzerland, No. 124 - Markt Wiesenttal, No. 125 - Trubach Valley, No. 128 - South-Eastern Franconian Switzerland
Web links
- Official website of the tourist office
- Franconian Switzerland.de
- Bavaria online
- Tourist Association of Southern Franconian Switzerland - Official homepage of the Tourism Association of Southern Franconian Switzerland
