Coburg Tourist Attractions
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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.
Market
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.
Town Hall
The Town Hall in Coburg was built in 1579.
St Maurice's Church
Morizkirche (14th-16th C), southeast of Coburg's Markt, has in the choir the 12m/30ft high tomb of John Frederick of Saxony (d. 1595).
Ehrenburg
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).
Court Garden
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).
Coburg Castle
Coburg Castle (alt. 464m/1,522ft) is one of the largest castles in Germany, dating mainly from the 16th C. (restored in the 19th and 20th centuries).
Coburg Fortress
In the Fürstenbau, in the Veste Coburg, are the former residential apartments of the ducal family.The art collections in the luther's rooms at Coburg Fortress include important collections of old glass, porcelaine and decorated earthenware.
Luther Room
Luther Room in Coburg Castle is where the reformer sought refuge during the Diet of Augsburg in 1530; Luther Chapel.
Luther Chapel
Luther Chapel, in the Coburg Castle, has works of art, weapons and coins.
Callenberg Palace
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.
Doll Museum
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.
Gymnasium Casimirianum
The Gymnasium Casimirianum in Coburg, a grammar school in Renaissance style (17th C), was founded by Duke John Casimir.The main focus of the school is on language skills including Latin, Greek, French and Spanish.
Natural Science and History Museum
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.
Government Building
The former Regierungsgebäude (government offices) in Coburg's Markt is now the Stadthaus, a richly decorated Late Renaissance building of 1599.
Schloss Rosenau
The Schloss Rosenau was the birthplace of Prince Albert of Saxony-Coburg. He and Queen Victoria stayed at this castle when they visited Coburg.
Surroundings
Neustadt
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.
Staffelstein
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.
Staffelberg
Above Staffelstein, 25km/15mi south of Coburg, rises the Staffelberg (539m/1,768ft), from which there are far ranging views.
Vierzehnheiligen
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.
Banz
High above the right bank of the Main, near Staffelstein, is the palatial Benedictine monastery of Banz. Begun by Johann Leonhard Dientzenhofer in 1695, the massive rectangular complex was completed by the addition of a gatehouse wing by Balthasar Neumann. The magnificent twin-towered church, built by Dientzenhofer in 1710-19, has a richly decorated interior, with stucco ornament and ceiling paintings, and a high altar by Balthasar Esterbauer (1714). Notable features of the conventual buildings are the Abbot's Chapel and the Imperial Hall. There are also a small Egyptian collection and a collection of fossils from the local Jurassic rocks.
