The former ducal capital of Coburg lies on the southern slopes of the Thuringian Forest, on the river Itz, a tributary of the Main, with a massive fortress looming over it.
Callenberg Palace, in Coburg, is a medieval castle with centuries of royal history to reveal. Until 1231 it served as the main castle of the Knights of Callenberg, then from 1842 onwards it was the summer residence of the hereditary prince and later Duke Ernst II. Today it is in the possession of the Coburg ducal family trust.
Beyond an arcade which came from the former ballroom building lies the beautiful Hofgarten (Court Garden), extending up the hill to the Coburg Castle. Half way up is the Natural History Museum (animals from all over the world; fossils and minerals; ethnography).
The Doll museum in Coburg is housed in the former home of the poet and orientalist Friedrich Ruckert. Over 900 dolls are arranged in chronological order (beginning in 1800 to 1955) in 32 rooms. There are also doll houses, prams, antique toys and miniature porcelains.
The Ehrenburg (formerly the ducal palace), in Coburg's Schlossplatz, was rebuilt by Schinkel in 1816-38 and contains interesting state and private apartments as well as the Coburg Provincial Library. In the west wing is the Baroque Hofkirche (court church).
Address: Schloss Ehrenburg, Schlossplatz 1, D-96450 Coburg, Germany
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 9am-5:30pm; Closed: Mon
October 1 to March 31: 10am-3:30pm; Closed: Mon, Mon
Tips: Guided tours every hour until noon, then commencing at 1:30 pm.
In the attractive Markt in Coburg are the Town Hall (Rathaus, 1579) and the former government offices (now the Stadhaus), a richly decorated Late Renaissance building of 1599.
The Natural Science and History Museum in Coburg features natural, geological and technical exhibits on the area and its resources. It also features some vertebrates from foreign countries.
Address: Natural Science and History Museum, Park 6, D-96450 Coburg, Germany
In Neustadt, 15km/9mi northeast of Coburg, is the Museum of the German Toy Industry, with a collection of dolls wearing traditional costumes. In front of the Museum is the Harlequin Fountain.
The Schloss Rosenau was the birthplace of Prince Albert of Saxony-Coburg. He and Queen Victoria stayed at this castle when they visited Coburg.
Address: Schloss Rosenau, D-96472 Rödental, Germany
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 9am-6pm; Closed: Mon
October 1 to March 31: 10am-4pm; Closed: Mon, Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), New Year's Eve (December 31), Mardi Gras - Shrove Tuesday - Christian
25km/15mi south of Coburg by way of Lichtenfels, in the Main valley, we come to the ancient little town of Staffelstein, birthplace of the 16th C. arithmetician Adam Riese.
Grundfeld-Vierzehnheiligen, northeast of Staffelstein, is dominated by the great pilgrimage church of Vierzehnheiligen, the finest achievement of Franconian Baroque architecture, perched high above the left bank of the Main (alt. 387m/1,270ft). The church was built between 1743 and 1772 to the design of Balthasar Neumann. The name reflects its dedication to the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
The plan of the church is unique, with its interplay of ovals and circles, and the spatial concept of the interior (decorated by J. M. Feuchtmayr and J. G. Übelherr) is bold and imaginative. The sumptuous Gnadenaltar stands on the spot where the "Fourteen Helpers in time of need" are said to have appeared to a shepherd in 1445.
Address: Vierzehnheiligen, D-96231 Bad Staffelstein, Germany
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Neustadt, Germany
Vierzehnheiligen, Staffelstein
Coburg Castle, Coburg
Coburg Fortress, Coburg
