Fränk. Schweiz

The Fränkische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland) is a wooded triangle between the Bavarian cities Nürnberg (Nuremberg), Bamberg, and Bayreuth in South Eastern Germany. The beautiful nature is the main draw to the area. Outdoor activities especially hiking and cycling are very popular. Museums are far and few between. Castles are more common but must-see churches limited to a single Neumann masterpiece.

The poor quality of the soil left the Fränkische Schweiz area relatively poor and scarcely populated – even today it has only around 100,000 inhabitants giving it one of the lowest population densities in Germany. The former poverty of the area did not prevent it from being involved in countless wars and battles – few towns here were spared the ravages of war in centuries past.

Franconian Switzerland is famous for its bizarre rock formations. Although the highest elevations are barely over 600 m/2,000 ft, the sharp drops and bare cliff faces make them appear much higher. It has around a thousand known caves, endless streams and valleys, and some of the best fly-fishing in the country.

The Fränkische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland) area was named, like around 70 other in Germany, after Switzerland by people who were reminded of that small Alpine country when seeing the local landscape. Up to the 19th century, the area was simply known as Muggendorfer Gebürg.

Franconian Switzerland has one of the highest densities of castles and castle ruins in Germany – at least 170 are known of which a remarkable 35 are still inhabited.

The area is clearly in beer-drinking Franken – it has 71 breweries. The tourist office likes to claim, if you can do only 10 breweries per day, you have to stay more than a week.

Good rail and road connections are available from Nürnberg and Bamberg to Forchheim at the west side of the area and from Bayreuth and Nürnberg to Pegnitz at the east side.

Rail services in the Fränkische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland) region are limited to the Forchheim–Ebermannstadt route. Bus 389 goes from Ebermannstadt to Pegnitz via Streitberg, Gößweinstein, Tüchersfed, Pottenstein, and Teufelshöhlen.

Driving is the easiest option. Most of the described sights are along the B470, which connects Forchheim and Pegnitz, in around an hour. Pegnitz is half an hour’s drive south of Bayreuth.

Easter Festivals in the Fränkische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland)

During the two weeks that follows Easter, many towns in Franken decorate the town fountains with hand-painted eggshells and twigs. The tradition, known as Osterbrunnen (Easter Fountain), dates from the early 20th century and is related to the scarcity of water in the Fränkische Schweiz. The town fountain was long the source of life and gossip in many communities. During the 1950s, when most people finally received private water supplies, the tradition almost died out. However, it became a tourist magnet and currently around 200 towns decorate wells every Easter. In 2001, the small town of Bieberbach used a record 11,108 hand-painted eggs in its decoration.

A list of towns participating is available from Tourismuszentrale Fränkische Schweiz, Postfach 1262, 91317 Ebermannstadt, tel 09194-797-779, fax 09194-797-776.

Fränkische Schweiz in Germany

The Franonian Switzerland Area in Bavaria is a Haven for Outdoor Adventures

The Fränkische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland) in Bavaria, Germany offers outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, canoeing, and caving in addition to natural beauty and castles.