Fränkische Schweiz

Kaiserpfalz Forchheim

Forchheim Imperial Palace

The so-called "fortified imperial palace" in Forchheim, actually a residence for the bishops of Bamberg, was built between 1350 und 1400. Owing to its 14th century wall paintings, the oldest in Franconia, the "imperial palace" is known far beyond the boundaries of Forchheim. A section of it has housed the Palatine Museum since 1911. In the next few years the building is to be expanded into a "Cultural Palace" and new museums and new facilities for a larger number of cultural activities will be available. Forchheim with its prince-bishop's residence has been a member of the Castle Road association since 1995. Delightful landscapes, romantic castles and palaces, interesting museums and cosy wine restaurants accompany the traveler along the route from Mannheim to Prague. During the early Middle Ages fortified imperial palaces were scattered all throughout the country to accommodate the kings or emperors, who did not have their own permanent residences. The king and his entire retinue traveled from imperial palace to imperial palace, carried out their official business there, and allowed the town to provide for them. Such a palace complex is also documented in Forchheim, but where it was located and what it looked like are still not known. Until recently it was believed that the palace complex was located on the site of the later bishop's palace. However, excavations have not been able to confirm this theory. The former bishop's residence was built under the Bamberg Prince-Bishop Lambert von Brunn towards the end of the 14th century. It originally consisted only of the main building (the eastern section, where the Palatine Museum is located today) and was surrounded by a water-filled moat. In the mid-16th century sections of the moat were filled in and the western, northern and southern wings erected there. This led to a complex with four wings surrounding an inner courtyard. The Forchheim palace served the bishops of Bamberg as a second residence for both official business and social purposes. In times of unrest the palace offered protection and refuge for the prince-bishops, for the strongly fortified complex in the city of Forchheim was the southernmost bulwark of the Diocese of Bamberg. 

Kaiserpfalz Forchheim
Kapellenstraße 16
91301 Forchheim
Telefon +49 (0) 9191 714-327
Telefax +49 (0) 9191 714-375
kaiserpfalz@forchheim.de
kaiserpfalz.forchheim.de

Burg Egloffstein

Egloffstein Castle

The ancestral seat of the Barons of Egloffstein is picturesquely situated on a rocky peak above the village of the same name high above the Trubach Valley. The castle can be visited by groups on regular guided tours and by appointment. Civil weddings are possible in the Knights' Hall or in the castle courtyard by arrangement with the Egloffstein registry office.

The history of the castle is characterised by feuds with Bamberg Abbey. The castle is first mentioned in a deed of foundation from the Bamberg cathedral chapter in 1184. During the Peasants' War in 1525, rebellious peasants burned down the castle. In 1563, the rebuilt castle was occupied and devastated during disputes between the lord of the castle and the Bishop of Bamberg. During the Thirty Years' War, the years 1632 and 1645 again brought such severe damage that the castle was not fully rebuilt due to a lack of funds. The main or upper castle of the former castle complex still exists today. In 1750, the current Protestant parish church of St Bartholomew was built in place of the old castle chapel. The castle was remodelled and extended in the 18th and 19th centuries to give it its present form.

Guided tours from Easter to the beginning of November, Sundays at 11 am. Special tours are available for groups of 10 or more by appointment: by telephone on 09197-8780 or by e-mail to info@burgegloffstein.de

Burg Egloffstein
Rittergasse 80b
91349 Egloffstein
www.fraenkische-schweiz.com

Jugendhaus Burg Feuerstein

The castle and the entire complex are used as the Catholic youth centre and meeting place. The modern youth centre is dedicated to youth care, youth education and cultural work. In 1961, the church "Transfiguration of the Lord" was inaugurated. It consists of three church rooms: the crypt, the lower church and the upper church. Guided tours around the church are possible for all ages.

Feuerstein Castle is not a castle in the proper meaning of the word - it is a complex that looks like a castle. It was built during the Second World War in 1941 by order of the armed forces high command by physician professor Oskar Vierling, who held a chair at the technical university of Hannover. The appearance of the castle solely served for the purpose of disguise - the complex should simply look like other castles in the Franconian Switzerland. Furthermore, they were looking for a location as central as possible in the former German Reich. The choice fell on Ebermannstadt and a mountain called "Feuerstein". Feuerstein castle, at that time, was a laboratory where research activities in high frequency technology and electroacoustics were done. Until 1945, 250 employees were employed there. The tower was used to test the first radio link. At the end of the war, American soldiers confiscated the complex. At first, the castle was leased by the archbishopric of Bamberg in 1946 before finally acquiring it in 1949.

Jugendhaus Burg Feuerstein
Burg Feuerstein 2
91320 Ebermannstadt
Telefon +49 (0) 9194 7674-0
burg-feuerstein.de

Burgruine Neideck

Neideck Castle Ruin

The Neideck castle ruins are open to the public and can be reached from the car park of the forest swimming pool in Streitberg via a signposted footpath. From the tower, there is a marvellous view over the Wiesenttal valley and the Streitburg ruins opposite.

The castle was once the ancestral seat of the powerful Schlüsselberg dynasty, the former "managers" of today's Franconian Switzerland. Count Konrad von Schlüsselberg established a customs post in the Wiesenttal in 1347, provoking his neighbours. The bishops of Nuremberg and Würzburg then attacked the Neideck and killed the count. According to one anecdote, he had just been sitting on the quiet little toilet that protruded over the wall and was "thrown". The castle then fell to the Bamberg bishops. During the Second Margrave War, it was so badly destroyed by supporters of the Margraves of Brandenburg/Kulmbach that it was not rebuilt. The ruins were used as building material. In the 18th century, Jura marble (dense Jura limestone) was discovered under the castle, which was quarried, so that the castle was further destroyed. The Jura limestone was then used to build the Würzburg Residence.

During the Romantic period, it became a favourite motif for writers, poets and painters.

Burgruine Neideck
91346 Markt Wiesenttal
www.fraenkische-schweiz.com

Ruine Streitburg

Streitburg Castle Ruin

Ruine Streitburg
Streitburg Nr. 3
91346 Markt Wiesenttal
www.fraenkische-schweiz.com

Burg Gößweinstein

Gößweinstein Castle

High above the pilgrimage town of Gößweinstein, famous for its impressive basilica by Balthasar Neumann, lies Gößweinstein Castle. Legend has it that Richard Wagner, who visited Gößweinstein Castle, modelled it on the Castle of the Holy Grail in his opera Parsifal. The castle chapel, dungeon, bower and Romanesque room are open to visitors. From the castle, there is a marvellous view over the valley of the Wiesent river.

The name Gößweinstein goes back to Count Goswin vom Grabfeldgau, who lived here in "Gozwinstein" in the 11th century and built the castle. First mentioned in a document in 1076, it is one of the oldest fortifications in Franconian Switzerland. From the 12th century onwards, it was the official seat of the Bamberg diocese for centuries. It was destroyed during the Peasants' War in 1525, but was rebuilt by the peasants as punishment until 1532. With secularisation, it came to the Kingdom of Bavaria and was renovated in 1809/10. In 1875, it was acquired by the Barons of Sohlern. The new lords of the castle gave it its present appearance: From 1890, they remodelled the castle in the neo-Gothic style, in keeping with the 19th century romanticism of castles. The descendants of the barons of Sohlern still look after the preservation of the castle today.

Burg Gößweinstein
Burgstraße 30
91327 Gößweinstein
www.fraenkische-schweiz.com

Burg Pottenstein

Pottenstein Castle

Pottenstein Castle, bizarrely located on a rock, is considered the oldest castle in Franconian Switzerland. The complex houses a museum that presents prehistoric and early historical objects, a weapons collection, books and letters, and three showrooms set up as an ensemble. Large parts of the castle can be visited. The park-like garden of the upper castle offers a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding area.

The castle was the residence of Botho of Carinthia (1027/28 – 1104), who came into possession of the area around Pottenstein through marriage. It passed to the diocese of Bamberg at the beginning of the 12th century and served as an official castle for the Bamberg bishops for over 700 years until secularization in 1803. Between Easter and Pentecost 1228, the Landgravine Elisabeth of Thuringia, the “Saint Elisabeth”, stayed here for a few weeks after her escape from the Wartburg, as Pottenstein was the official castle of her uncle, the Bamberg bishop Ekbert von Andechs-Meranien. The Elisabeth Room in the former residential tower commemorates the prominent visit. During the Peasants' War in 1525, the castle was occupied and looted, but not set on fire. During the Second Margrave War, parts of the castle, including the chapel, were destroyed by Ansbach-Kulmbach troops. However, in the Thirty Years' War in 1634, the castle was successfully defended against the Swedish Colonel von Cratz. When the official residence was moved from the castle to the city in 1750, the castle fell into disrepair. In 1878 it came into private ownership. It has been the property of the Barons of Wintzingerode since 1918.

Open from April to the end of October. You can find the opening hours here.

Burg Pottenstein
Burgstraße 13
91278 Pottenstein
www.fraenkische-schweiz.com

Burg Waischenfeld

Waischenfeld Castle

The "Stone Pouch", a round tower of the former castle complex, is the landmark of Waischenfeld. The Oberamtsschloss, the only remaining building of the castle complex, is now home to the castle pub. The castle can be used for company and family celebrations. The castle courtyard and viewing platform are accessible at all times.

Waischenfeld Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1122 and was owned by the noblemen of Waischenfeld, who died out in 1216 with the death of Ulrich von Waischenfeld. The castle and lordship of Waischenfeld passed to Eberhard III von Greifenstein, who, however, built Schlüsselberg Castle south of Waischenfeld and was named "von Schlüsselberg" for the first time in a document in 1219. Under Konrad II von Schlüsselberg, the village of Waischenfeld was granted town rights in 1315. When he died, the castle and town of Waischenfeld came to the Bamberg Abbey in 1348, which established an office here. Between 1438 and 1562, Waischenfeld was repeatedly pledged to noblemen. The so-called Oberamtsschloss was built in 1518/19 and 1589/90. The castle suffered severe damage during the Thirty Years' War. The "Old House", the original castle of the noblemen of Waischenfeld, was used as a granary from around 1600 and gradually fell into disrepair. When the Kingdom of Bavaria took over the Oberamt Waischenfeld in 1806, the buildings stood empty. While the Oberamtsschloss continued to be used, work began on demolishing the old castle. The final demolition took place in 1876/77 and 1889

Burg Waischenfeld
Schlossberg 20
91344 Waischenfeld
www.fraenkische-schweiz.com

Schloss Unteraufseß

There are two old castles in Aufseß: Unteraufseß and Oberaufseß. Unteraufseß is the family seat of the "von und zu Aufseß". The castle was first mentioned in the 12th century. The name Aufseß (formerly Ufsaze) means "to sit on the rock", which describes the site of the castle. The legend of this family goes back to the year 1007, when the Knight Heinrich von Ufsaze came together with King Heinrich, later Emperor Heinrich II to Franconia.The oldest building at Unteraufseß Castle is the so-called Meingoz-stone tower from 1136. In the Middle Ages the grounds of Unteraufseß Castle were larger than today. There was a castle around the castle of today. However, there were a lot of destructions caused by wars. The 850-year-old castle in the Aufseß valley was the ancestral seat of Hans Baron von und zu Aufseß, the founder of the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg approximately 150 years ago. Tours include the castle chapel, 18th century palace church, 12th century raven tower – the oldest structure, Mingoz stone tower with the study of Hans von Aufseß, ancestral portrait gallery and salon. Weddings in the ancestral hall possible. Enjoy the atmosphere of the castle and reside for a time in one of the suites or in the guest rooms.

Schloss Unteraufseß
Am Schlossberg 92
91347 Aufseß
Telefon Telefon +49 (0)9198 998217
Telefax Telefax +49 (0)9198 998512
visit.schloss-unteraufsess@t-online.de
www.fraenkische-schweiz.com

Schloss Oberaufseß

Oberaufseß Castle was built by Karl Heinrich von Aufseß in 1690. This was the year where the two brothers Friedrich and Karl Heinrich from Unteraufseß went different ways, because of their religion. Friedrich remained in the Catholic family seat. His Protestant brother Karl Heinrich went to Oberaufseß located around 1,5 km north of the town. Up to the end of the 19th century the castle had five towers and the character of a fortified castle. The new tower built at the end of the 19th century upgraded the castle.
Hans Max von Aufseß, who lived in Oberaufseß until 1993 wrote a lot of essays about the "beloved Franconian Switzerland", which were published in books or illustrated books.

Today his grandchilds live together with their children and a dog in the residence of the castle, which was built around 300 years ago. Tours for groups from 10 persons possible on request. Within the area of the castle there are original and partly antiquely furnished holiday flats. Oberaufseß Castle belongs to the settings of the "Theatersommer Fränkische Schweiz" and offers a romantic setting for the performances in the "Comedia dell'Arte" style.

Schloss Oberaufseß
Schloss Oberaufseß
Oberaufseß 1
91343 Aufseß

Schloss Greifenstein

Greifenstein Castle, located high on a rock above Heiligenstadt, has been owned almost unchanged for 300 years by the Stauffenberg taverns, who still live there today. A series of rooms that have remained virtually unchanged for centuries can be visited. In addition to antique furniture, artistically inlaid floors and stucco ceilings, the large weapons collection is impressive, spanning a wide range from medieval tournament armor to combat weapons from the 30 Years' War and weapons from both world wars. Weddings are possible in the castle and the chapel, and the private castle garden can be rented.

When it was first mentioned in documents in 1172, the original castle was owned by Eberhard de Grifenstin from the House of Schlüsselberg, at that time the most powerful noble family in Franconian Switzerland. When they died out, the Lords of Streitberg followed. After destruction and looting in the Peasants' War in 1525, it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. After the Streitbergers died out, the complex fell back to the Bishopric of Bamberg, the feudal lord. For his services to the Bishopric of Bamberg, Prince-Bishop Marquard Sebastian Schenk von Stauffenberg (1644–95) received Greifenstein as a fief, combined with the right to transfer it to his male blood relatives. On his behalf, Leonhardt Dientzenhofer converted the dilapidated Renaissance building into a baroque hunting lodge between 1691 and 1693.

The feudal relationship ended with the secularization of the Bamberg Monastery, and Greifenstein Castle became the free property of the Stauffenberg taverns.

Opening hours
March 1st to April 30th: Wednesday to Sunday (open Easter Monday)
May 1st to October 31st: daily
November 1st to January 15th: Wednesday to Sunday
January 16th to February 28th: ​​closed

To be visited by at least 4 people (or € 24.00) and only with a guided tour (approx. 45 minutes; only between 9 a.m. and 11.15 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 4.45 p.m. or by appointment by telephone on +49 (0)9198-423 or mobile on 0152- 09886798 (Wed-Sun) and 0151-70422795 (Mon/Tue))

Schloss Greifenstein
Greifenstein 2A
91332 Heiligenstadt
www.fraenkische-schweiz.com

Schloss Seehof

Seehof Castle

The Bamberg prince-bishops established Seehof palace as a summer residence and hunting lodge from 1687 to 1696. Becaus Prince-Bishop Marquard Sebastian Schenk von Stauffenberg commissioned the original building, the residence was also named the Marquard Castle after him. The respective bishops who resided there continued to extend the castle and in particular the park. The imposing size of today's garden with its water displays, fountains, bosquets (ornamental groves with paths) and open-air hedge theater was created under Prince-Bishop Lothar Franz von Schönborn. The horticultural climax was, however, accomplished by Prince-Bishop Adam Friedrich von Seinsheim. Between 1757 and 1779 he integrated, among others, a labyrinth and water displays and embellished the garden with over 400 stone figures by Ferdinand Tietz, the court sculptor, who was one of the most renowned sculptors of the Franconian Rococo.

After secularization in 1802 the castle became private property and rapidly fell into disrepair in the following 150 years, because its owners could not maintain the vast property. In 1975 the Free State of Bavaria acquired the castle. After extensive renovation lasting well into the 1990s, nine new stately rooms in the castle can now be viewed. The water displays and cascade have been back in operation again since 1995 as well.

Schloss Seehof
Schloss Seehof 1
96117 Memmelsdorf
Telefon +49 (0) 951 4095-71
Telefax +49 (0) 951 4095-72
sgvbamberg@bsv.bayern.de
www.schloesser.bayern.de