Your accommodation on the Main River Cycleway

High above the Upper Franconian town of Kulmbach lies Plassenburg Castle, one of the most imposing and largest Renaissance buildings in Germany. Kulmbach’s landmark was considered a model in fortress construction for a long time and is now the symbol of the city of Kulmbach. Today, Kulmbach’s Plassenburg is home to four museums: the Landschaftsmuseum Obermain (Museum of the Upper Main Region), the Deutsche Zinnfigurenmuseum (German Pewter Figurine Museum), the Armeemuseum Friedrich der Große (Frederick the Great Army Museum) and the Museum Hohenzollern in Franken (Hohenzollern in Franconia Museum).

In the midst of the winding alleys and historic buildings of Kulmbach’s old town, the Spitalkirche “Heilig Geist” (“Holy Spirit” Hospital Church) is an architectural gem on the market square. In addition to the magnificent facade, the interior of the building reveals artistically painted galleries and all the charm of a margrave’s church. After an extensive renovation, the church shines again in new splendour.

At Steinenhausen Castle, southwest of Kulmbach, the headwaters of the Main join to form a stream (“Mainwiege”), which flows from here across Germany and leads into the Rhine at Mainz. The confluence of the Main is considered one of the highlights of the Main River Cycleway.

Built in 1898 to a design by architect Martin Dülfer and featuring sculptures by sculptor Eduard Beyrer, the Luitpold Fountain in Kulmbach is impossible to miss as it is the focal point of the market square.

The Kulmbach town hall, built in 1752 directly on the market square, is one of the top sights in Kulmbach with its unique rococo facade and dome-like curved gable.

More than just an insider tip: the Bavarian Brewery Museum in Kulmbach’s Mönchshof has been skillfully exploring the wide spectrum of beer on an exhibition area of more than 3,000 square meters and impressively illuminates why brewing beer has always been an art. Interactive stations, valuable exhibits and the walk through the “glass brewery” make this museum visit an unforgettable experience. In addition to the brewery museum, the Mönchshof also houses the German Spice Museum and the Bavarian Bakery Museum.

The wildly romantic and legendary Steinach Gorge is one of the most impressive natural monuments around Kulmbach. There is plenty to discover here: the newly renovated Nordeck Castle ruins, impressive viewpoints and, of course, the mighty rock walls of the Steinach Gorge. According to a legend, Thor created the Steinach Gorge with his hammer. The Steinach Valley can be explored via numerous hiking trails.

Combine your visit to Plassenburg Castle with a hike into Kulmbacher Land. Numerous hiking trails, such as the Rehberg Trail (length: 12 km), lead past the historic walls of Kulmbach’s landmark.

Your walk through Kulmbach’s old town will take you through the arcades of the plain late Baroque Princess House across the Schießgraben, part of the old town fortifications, to the “Schlösslein”. The architect of this Renaissance building from 1571 was master builder Caspar Vischer, who was also entrusted with the reconstruction of Plassenburg Castle. The “Schlösslein” was originally a castle estate and is nowadays considered one of the landmarks of the town of Kulmbach.

Once the Rehturm had the task to warn the inhabitants of the Plassenburg and the city of Kulmbach of impending dangers by shining signal fires. After the reconstruction after the Markgräfler War, it was restored in the 20th century and is today not only one of the most beautiful and charming vantage points, but also the starting point of numerous hiking trails around Kulmbach.

The rock garden in Sanspareil is a unique garden complex from the time of the Bayreuth margrave couple Friedrich and Wilhelmine. Upon seeing the rock garden, a lady of the court is said to have exclaimed in 1746: “Ah, c’est sans pareil!” (“This is unparalleled!”) So the margrave ordered the renaming of the village of Zwernitz to Sanspareil.

Visit a uniquely located beer garden with breath-taking views over the Kulmbacher Land very close to Kulmbach. The restaurant “La Birreria” will also spoil you with Italian specialties and genuine Franconian craft beer brewed by the house brewery Haberstumpf.