Franconian Switzerland Attractions Fränkische Schweiz
The name of Franconian Switzerland has been applied since the 16th C. to the northernmost part of the Franconian Alb (Fränkische Alb), between Bayreuth, Bamberg and Nürnberg, with its impressive rock formations. It is a gently rolling plateau, between 500 m/1,650ft and 600 m/2,000ft in height, slashed by winding steep-sided valleys 100-200 m/330-660ft deep. The valleys offer a varied landscape pattern with their green meadowland, attractive villages, high-perched old castles and curiously shaped dolomite crags. The plateau, once used only for grazing sheep, is now cultivated arable land.
The principal beauty spots are the Wiesent valley, the Ailsbach valley which joins it below the little hill town of Gössweinstein and the Püttlach valley, with the extraordinary rock village of Tüchersfeld.
Other attractive places include Streitberg, Muggendorf and Pollenstein, near which are interesting stalactite caves (notably the Binghöhle at Streitberg and the Teufelshöhle at Pottenstein).
There are also numbers of little resorts offering a variety of attractions - curious rock formations, viewpoints, caves, castles and wooded valleys - for walkers and holidaymakers. The principal center of the area is Behringersmühle (with Gössweinstein).
Tour of the Franconian Switzerland
The starting-point of a tour is the old city of Nürnberg, leaving on the motorway or on B 4, signposted to Erlangen.
The principal beauty spots are the Wiesent valley, the Ailsbach valley which joins it below the little hill town of Gössweinstein and the Püttlach valley, with the extraordinary rock village of Tüchersfeld.
Other attractive places include Streitberg, Muggendorf and Pollenstein, near which are interesting stalactite caves (notably the Binghöhle at Streitberg and the Teufelshöhle at Pottenstein).
There are also numbers of little resorts offering a variety of attractions - curious rock formations, viewpoints, caves, castles and wooded valleys - for walkers and holidaymakers. The principal center of the area is Behringersmühle (with Gössweinstein).
Tour of the Franconian Switzerland
The starting-point of a tour is the old city of Nürnberg, leaving on the motorway or on B 4, signposted to Erlangen.
Burg Gössweinstein
Gössweinstein, commandingly situated on a steep crag above the Wiesent valley, has a beautiful pilgrimage church by Balthasar Neumann (1730-39). Conspicuous above the town is the Burg.
Forchheim, Germany
North of Erlangen is Forchheim, where the Wiesent valley opens into the Regnitz basin, the western gateway of the Franconian Switzerland. Forchheim was originally a Carolingian imperial stronghold, and later became the strongest fortified town in the bishopric of Bamberg. The old town preserves a number of trim old half-timbered buildings (Old Town Hall, 14th-16th C.) and the Gothic parish church of St Martin (14th-15th C.). Nearby is the Pfalz, built between 1353 and 1383 as the residence of the Prince-Bishops, with the Pfalzmuseum (material of the prehistoric and early historical periods).
Pottenstein, Germany
The little town of Pottenstein, northwest of Bayreuth, stands charmingly situated in a basin framed in high dolomite crags. The Late Gothic parish church has a beautiful high altar of 1730. Museum of Franconian Switzerland (geology, folk traditions). Above the town is the Burg, with a collection of weapons. Nearby is the Teufelshöhle (Devil's Cave; open to visitors).
Pottenstein Tourist Office
Verkehrsbüro Pottenstein
D-91276 Pottenstein
Germany
Verkehrsbüro Pottenstein
D-91276 Pottenstein
Germany
