Franconian for Variety

With the same intention, numerous other events in Franconia celebrate the Reformation anniversary in 2017. There are Luther bicycle tours, concerts, outdoor performances, exhibits, and so much more. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, for example, offers a special exhibit at the Medieval Crimes Museum that runs through 2018. “With Sword or Unwavering Faith” explores Martin Luther’s attitude toward witch craft. The Rothenburg Reichsstadt Museum, on the other hand, has an exhibit about the “War of the Confessions” that was waged with the aid of the first mass media after the invention of pamphlets. (www.rothenburg.de/tourismus) Nuremberg is the location of two large exhibits that look at the Reformation from a different angle. The Albrecht-Dürer-Haus introduces Albrecht Dürer, the Renaissance genius, as a time witness of the Reformation period. The exhibit is titled “New Spirit and New Beliefs” (June 30 – October 4, 2017). At the German National Museum Nuremberg you can educate yourself about the big changes that took place in the 16th century. The exhibit “Luther, Columbus and the Consequences” runs from July 13 – November 12, 2017 (museen.nuernberg.de; www.gnm.de; www.franken-luther.de)

But there was also strong resistance to the Reformation movement. One of its strongest opponents was the Würzburg Prince-Bishop Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn. 2017 marks the 400th anniversary of his death. His legacy is easily noticeable throughout the UNESCO World Heritage city. For example, Echter sponsored the Juliusspital Hospital and founded the Würzburg University. But the Prince-Bishop also had a dark side: As a Reformation opponent, he was merciless and he was just the same when it came to the expulsion of Jews and the persecution of so-called witches. The Museum at the Dom church in Würzburg explores Echter and his era with the exhibit “Julius Echter 1573-1617: The Controversial Prince Bishop – An Exhibit after 400 Years.” (June 23 – September 17, 2017; www.echter.de/ausstellung) The Martin von Wagner Museum of the Würzburg University, on the other hand, highlights how Echter’s support for the arts and sciences brought Würzburg into the international Renaissance scene. The exhibit “Julius Echter – Patron of the Arts” runs from June 25 – September 24, 2017 (www.martinvonwagner-museum.com).

Among the rulers of Franconia, there is one dynasty that stands out: the Hohenzollern. Their role started out innocently as burgraves of Nuremberg in the Middle Ages and culminated in the coronation as German Emperors centuries later. The rapid ascent of the Hohenzollern to becoming one of the most influential German families of nobility can be experienced in a suspense-filled way at the Cadolzburg in the Romantic Franconia region. The fortress is not only architecturally impressive, it was also the power center of the Hohenzollern family for many years. Today, the Cadolzburg is home to a new discovery museum that lets the Hohenzollern rulers come to life with the theme: Noble Times. Among several characters, you get to know the extraordinary Margrave Wilhelmine of Bayreuth who transformed that town into an impressive residential city by supporting the arts and sponsoring magnificent buildings. The most outstanding example is the Margravial Opera House that is now listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. But you can also find evidence of the Hohenzollern in the cities of Ansbach, Erlangen, Kulmbach, Weissenburg i.Bay., Roth, Heilsbronn and others (www.burg-cadolzburg.de; www.frankentourismus.de/hohenzollern).

2017 marks the anniversary of yet another celebrant: The 25-year young Main-Danube-Canal. The last section of this European waterway was finished in the Altmühl Nature Park in 1992. The canal is 171 km long and cuts through Franconia for most of its length. Today, the canal connects the Main River at Bamberg with the Danube at Kelheim – and in a sense the North Sea to the Black Sea. A great way to experience the canal is on a sightseeing boat or cruise ship. Bur you can also ride your bicycle alongside the canal through Franconia’s vacation regions. (www.naturpark-altmuehltal.de; schifffahrt-kelheim.de)

These highlights only represent a small portion of the things that await you when you vacation in Franconia. Just take a look at the events calendar at www.frankentourismus.com or use the free phone app “Look Forward to Franconia.” You can search through roughly 2,500 annual events; that number increases every year! The easiest way to find what interests you is by limiting your search by location, regions or dates. You can also search for different event categories. A look at them reveals what’s a hit in Franconia: cultural heritage, food & wine, world-class music and Christmas markets. Plus there are literary and historical festivals, theater festivals and music festivals.

Franconia residents like to celebrate, a lot. To this end, there are traditional beer and “Kirchweih” festivals, such as the Erlangen Bergkirchweih (June 1 – 12, 2017), the Kulmbach Beer Week (July 29 – August 6, 2017), and the Michaelis Kirchweih (September 30 – October 11, 2017). Furthermore, you can enjoy yourself at amazing music events, such as the Würzburg Mozartfest (June 2 – July 2, 2017), the International Pipe Organ Week in Nuremberg (June 30 – July 9, 2017), the Schönbusch Serenades in Aschaffenburg (May 27, June 17 and September 9, 2017), or the Musikfest Eichstätt (May 12 – 14, 2017).

On top of all this, there are historical festivals, such as the Rococo Festival in Ansbach (June 30 – July 4, 2017) or the unique “Kinderzeche” in Dinkelsbühl (July 14 – 23, 2017). Let yourself be transported back in time at these events! Franconia is also known for big sports events, such as the legendary and internationally known “DATEV Challenge Roth” triathlon on July 9, 2017 (www.frankentourismus.com).

Franconia is a great destination for active folks, in part, because of the area’s outstanding hiking trails. Twenty-two of Franconia’s hiking trails are certified as either quality or premiere routes, the most in any hiking region in Germany. Certified since 2004, the “Frankenweg Trail – from the Rennsteig to the Swabian Alb” is an unforgettable experience. The trail is 520-km long and takes the hiker through Franconia from the Northeast to the southernmost corner of this hiking paradise. Another amazing trail is the 425-km long “Franconian Mountain Trail” that leads across many of the most impressive mountaintops of Franconia (www.frankentourismus.com/specials/hiking).

Bicycle touring fans also score big in Franconia. For example, there is the 100-km long “Lovely Tauber Valley – the Classic” bicycle trail that takes you deep into the history of Franconia as you ride from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Wertheim am Main (www.liebliches-taubertal.de). A little more demanding is the “Rhönradweg” bicycle trail: the trail climbs 1,500 meters during its 182-km course. Along the way, you get to enjoy the diverse landscapes of the Rhön region, which includes river basins, forests, high plateaus and moors (www.rhoen.de).

The 600-km long “MainRadweg” bicycle trail probably offers the most variety of all routes. The trail follows the all-important Main River and crosses several vacation regions, each with its own and unique character, cultural treasures – such as three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – and culinary customs (www.frankentourismus.com/specials/bicycling/mainriverbicycletrail). If you like riding along rivers, you have two more great options: For one, there is the “RegnitzRadweg” bicycle trail. It connects the cities of Bamberg and Nuremberg on a route alongside the river and canal. For two, there is the “Tauber Altmühl Radweg” bicycle trail that connects the cities of Wertheim and Kelheim. Along its 350-km length, it follows the courses of the rivers Main, Tauber, Altmühl and Danube. City highlights along the way include Bad Mergentheim, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Gunzenhausen and Eichstätt (www.frankentourismus.com/specials/bicycling/tauberaltmuehlbicycletrail).

A little extra pedaling help can be obtained by renting an eBike. Franconia offers great cycling routes and great service! If you travel on an eBike, you are especially well taken care of in the Romantic Franconia region, the Franconian Lake Country and in the Altmühl Nature Park. Expect to find battery charging and exchange stations as well as service stations and inns that rent and maintain eBikes.

Franconia also has a heart for motorcyclists. It is a laidback motorcycling destination that offers a great variety of routes that combine natural and cultural treasures, offer amazing rest areas and motorcycle-friendly establishments. A brochure for motorcyclists detailing several tours is available through FrankenToursmus. Aside from this printed brochure, there is a convenient phone app that can be downloaded free of charge. Franconia is a premiere destination for RV campers as well. Look online or get our paper brochure for many tips and suggestions to make your RV vacation in Franconia an enjoyable and memorable one.

Regardless of how you choose to experience Franconia, relaxation is guaranteed. Your health is front and center at 18 hot springs and resort towns. The healing waters that were blessed by Mother Nature with either salt or radon are combined with innovative concepts to help you heal and relax. Modern hot springs, sauna experiences and other wellness offerings include the first healing waters lake in Germany, as well as salt lakes with a salt concentration similar to that of the Dead Sea. Franconia is the perfect place for physical and spiritual regeneration (www.gesundheitspark-franken.de).

Franconia’s parks and greenspaces are fantastic places to take a breather. FrankenTourismus honors these green and blooming oases with its initiative “Parks & Gardens. Paradise in Franconia.” For more information and to find your way to the most amazing greenspaces, visit www.frankens-paradiese.de or download the phone app free of charge.

Your body and soul also require real nourishment. Not to worry, Franconia also impresses in that realm. The campaign “Franken – A Land of Wine and Beauty” aims to connect all of Franconia’s high-quality tourist offerings. Wine connoisseurs find all manner of information here about great services in the categories “Winegrowers Hospitality,” “Wines & Winegrowers,” “Wine Festivals,” “Wine Hiking Trails,” “Restaurants,” and “Inns.” Even more innovatively, find suggestions for tours to unique “wine architecture” or spectacular overlooks under “terroir f – the magical wine locations,” also under the campaign “Franken – A Land of Wine and Beauty.” The popular content on traveling in the Franconian wine country is also available as a phone app. The free app allows the user to download the entire content of the webpage www.franken-weinland.de, including detailed maps and extensive information materials.

Another popular initiative, “Franken – Where Beer is at Home.” is available as a free phone app as well. This campaign combines tips and information about Franconia’s beer offerings – from beer tours and festivals to beer-themed tour packages, available online or as a paper brochure. Franconia’s beer heritage is truly unique on this planet. Nowhere else can you find a higher density of breweries and subsequently beer varieties. Enjoy truly unique flavors when sampling a smoked beer or “un-bunged” brew. Many small, private breweries and brew pubs keep Franconia’s beer traditions lively. One such tradition is to go to the cliff-side beer cellars in the summer to enjoy fresh beer. Get a taste of Franconia’s beer heritage at beer museums, by taking beer hikes, beer classes, and beer tours or enjoy a brew at a traditional beer festival (www.franken-bierland.de). There is even a facebook page for fans of Franconian beer! The page “Bierland Franken” already has more than 70,000 fans.

Interested in a culinary discovery tour of Franconia’s cuisine? Look no further than the brochure “Franken – Land of Good Taste.” This brochure, as well as all other FrankenTourismus brochures, is available online. The brochure is an introduction to the culinary delights made in Franconia that await the visitor, such as a dizzying array of bratwursts, the legendary Nuremberg gingerbread and Aischgrund carp (www.frankentourismus.com/specials/culinary-delights).

More information:

FrankenTourismus

Postfach 440453

90209 Nürnberg

Phone 0911/941510

FAX 0911/9415110

info@frankentourismus.de

www.frankentourismus.com