Forchheim

Numerous boutiques and market places invite you to stroll around. Culture of national importance can be found in the Imperial Palace, where europe’s medieval history is recalled, the former castle of the Bamberg prince-bishops. Even the fate of kings has been decided here. In May, the entire castle grounds become a meeting place for artists and buyers at the popular arts and crafts market.

The special pride of the people of Forchheim is their town hall. No guest, no matter how hurried, should leave without seeing this masterpiece of half-timbered construction. East of Forchheim on the outskirts of the town, more than 20 beer cellar taverns offer a wide choice of highly palatable local beers and a Franconian snack. With about 30,000 seats, the Kellerwald in Forchheim is probably the largest beer garden in the world, which is in keeping with their long brewing tradition. With 33 breweries in 1852, Forchheim ranked well behind the bishop’s town of Bamberg, which had around 60 breweries, but probably outstripped it, at least in terms of the number of inhabitants per brewery. Today, there are still three family-run breweries in Forchheim that brew around 30 different types of beer. Old traditions are maintained especially at major festivals.

At Easter, you can admire a fountain in front of the town hall, beautifully decorated with thousands of Easter eggs. The highlight of the festive year is the widely known Annafest at the end of July, which is celebrated in Forchheim’s Kellerwald. At Christmas time, the historic facade of the Kaiserpfalz is transformed into the most beautiful digital advent calendarin the world. Every evening the spectators are enchanted when the Christmas angel opens a door of the calendar. Forchheim is worth a trip at any time of the year.