Up to the castle
Your family vacation in Bavaria’s far north, in Franconian Switzerland, will be an exciting journey into the time of knights and castles. Franconian Switzerland is considered the romantic land of castles and palaces. And rightly so, since more than 170 castles were built here in the Middle Ages, 35 of which are still inhabited today! The excursion route “German Castle Road” leads directly through Franconian Switzerland, past castles and palaces with such poetic names as Greifenstein Castle or Rabenstein Castle. Here we present a few excursion tips for your family vacation. All destinations can be reached quickly by car from the Friedrichshof family and children’s hotel in Obertrubach. Be sure to visit Tüchersfeld Castle with its „Fränkische Schweiz-Museum“ as well as a synagogue dating back to the 18th century.
Here we present a few excursion tips for your family vacation. All destinations can be reached quickly by car from the family and children’s hotel Friedrichshof in Obertrubach.
Stone witnesses of history
Take a trip back in time with your children and discover imposing castles, fairytale castles and legendary ruins in Franconia! These historic monuments often meet a spectacular nature. Immerse yourself in the history of the past.
High above the idyllic Ahorntal valley towers thrones imposingly and regally the Rabenstein Castle, whose history begins as early as 1188. Over the centuries, the castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times. During the 30-year war, the castle was completely destroyed and remained in ruins for several years. In the 19th century, the castle received a baroque palace complex, which also hosted prominent guests such as Ludwig I King of Bavaria and his wife Theresie.
Guided tours take place several times a day. During these tours, you will visit the impressive knights’, weapons and ceremonial rooms and learn interesting details about the lives of the castle lords, knights and nobles of the Middle Ages.
Our tip: Rabenstein Castle includes a falconry! Here you and your kids will learn everything about hunting with birds of prey and can experience the birds in action during a spectacular live flight demonstration.
Use your trip to Rabenstein Castle also to explore the nearby Sophienhöhle cave!
Burg Rabenstein
Rabenstein 33
95491 Ahorntal
www.burg-rabenstein.de
It is the landmark of the rocky town of Pottenstein, which is only a few minutes away from Obertrubach: Pottenstein Castle! The castle of the barons of Wintzingerode was inhabited for over 1,000 years. The collections of the castle museum can be visited, including the memorial room and the large exhibition on Elisabeth of Thuringia. In addition: faully equipped showrooms, militaria, historical exhibitions and cultural-historical exhibits. Excitement for the whole family!
Burg Pottenstein
Burgstraße 13
91278 Pottenstein
Phone: +49-(0) 09243 7221
The history of the castle Gößweinstein goes back to the 11th year. Its exposed position about 100 m above Gößweinstein in the district of Forchheim on a Jura rock sloping down to the north, east and west brings pure knightly romance to life. It is said that the composer Richard Wagner was inspired by Gößweinstein Castle to create the Grail Castle in his opera “Parsifal”. From the castle you have a breathtaking view over the Wiesent valley. Inside the castle there is a small medieval museum with original exhibits. Here you and your family can experience the fascinating medieval world of knights, robbers and damsels up close!
Burg Gößweinstein
Burgstraße 30
91327 Gößweinstein
Phone: +49-(0) 09242 299 9891
Enjoy the beautiful journey through the wild and romantic Franconian Switzerland. A 300-year-old, magnificent linden avenue leads up to Greifenstein Castle, which is owned by the family of the Schenken von Stauffenberg. In 1172, the name of the castle appears in documents for the first time. The nickname of the castle perched high on a rock above the market town of Heiligenstadt is “Little Neuschwanstein”: high towers, the striking white paint and majestic dignity characterize the popular castle.
The guided tour starts from the castle courtyard. Here you can also find a 92 m deep well from the 17th century. Visit the world famous collection of weapons and the castle chapel. In the castle you will also see historical wardrobes, chests, carvings and art objects, as well as the ancestral hall with ornate wooden floor.
Schloss Greifenstein
Greifensteinstraße 2a
91332 Heiligenstadt i. OFr.
Phone: +49-(0) 09198 9966899
We recommend a trip to the nearby metropolis of Nuremberg. Here you can combine your visit to the Kaiserburg with a stroll through the picturesque medieval city. The Imperial Castle is the landmark of Nuremberg. Since the Middle Ages, it has stood for the power and importance of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation and the outstanding role of the imperial city of Nuremberg. During the Second World War, the castle was heavily destroyed, but important Romanesque and late Gothic components remained almost undamaged. After 1945, the castle complex was completely rebuilt.
Kaiserburgmuseum
Auf der Burg
90403 Nürnberg
