Kulmbach Things to Do

I had just finished reading about "Buddy Bear's," when I actually saw my first one at Kulmbach.

The Buddy Bear was in front of the Rathaus Charlottenburg Berlin for one year, before being purchased by the district Mayor of Kulmbach to spend the rest of his life here. The Bear had Plassenburg Castle painted on his side's.

These Bear's are a great idea for helping charity. Since 20th June 2001, when the Buddy Bears first appeared in Berlin, individual Bears have been auctioned off at charity events in aid of institutions for children in Berlin.

The Buddy Bear sculptures can be bought, provided that the buyer transfers a donation via the Buddy Bear Berlin GmbH to a children's relief organization for every purchased sculpture. The Bear's have raised about two million euro's for children in need already, and are still going strong!

The White Tower of today dates to the 17th century, even though it was originally built in the 14th century as part of the town wall's and medieval defence. The tower was used until the 19th century as a debtor's prison. The White Tower is a double-towered gateway, and is located next to the Burgerloch part of the double tower gate with outer wards.

What a "different" name for a Well/Fountain!

There is a painted statue on the Well, who is wearing the insignia of his dignity, Interest fields coat of arms and a short-handled Hohenzollern flag as the 17th Century was often used for flag waving.

Built in 1660, this octagonal pedestal with decorated relief work and pots of Geranium's in full flower was an eye-catcher!

He represent's the Franconian symbol of Market Freedom.

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A visit to the Tourist Information Centre in Kulmbach is where you can receive a detailed walking map of the Old Town. This is very handy and easy to follow, and I knew when I had reached the historic sight, as there was a Notice with the number and information.

The trail starts at the info centre, then took me to the White & Red Tower's, Plassenburg Castle, the Upper Town, st. Peter's Church, Little Castle, The "Blessed Virgin Mary' Church, the Town Hall, Market Square and pedestrian area, the wood market and lastly the Hospital Church.

The map is on the website below, and all the details.

This is a lovely old town. I loved the half-timbered building's, and I also found more Well's and Fountain's and even a bronze sculpture of the town.

A Church I came across in the old town, was named the Hospital Church. It was built in 1738 on the site of St. Elizabeth's Chapel. In the Middle Ages there was an Elizabethan hospital with a chapel at the site of the current public hospital. In the church are ceiling paintings and murals and a Pulpit built in the 17th century.

If you visit Kulmbach, then you will not miss seeing the Plassenburg Castle that overlooks the Town.
It is a massive Fortress that belonged from 1338 to 1791 to the Burgraves of Nuremberg and then, Margraves of Brandenburg, members of the Hohenzollern family.

The arcaded courtyard is richly decorated with relief work, is one of the finest examples of German Renaissance art.
Other highlight's are...
"Hohenzollerns in Franconia Museum", the "Frederick the Great Army Museum" (Windsheimer Collection) and the Margravial Rooms with historic pictures of the construction work, portraits of margraves and the gilt canopied bed of Margravine Maria (1630).

TO BE AWARE OF
Firstly.....
You can't drive your Car to the Castle, you must catch a Bus or walk.
Buses fill quickly if a tour group is there, like we came across!
You need to be aware of the times of the tours and plan your time in Kulmbach accordingly.

From Bayreuth: Bus 8354 to "Kulmbach/Busbahnhof"
From Kulmbach: Bus to the Castle
No car park at the castle; central car park on the "Marktplatz"

OPEN......April-October: 9 am-6 pm
November-March: 10 am-4 pm open daily

Guided tours on the Margravial Rooms and "Hohenzollerns in Franconia" Museum
April-October: 9.15 am-3.15 pm every hour and at 4.30 pm
November-March: 10.15 am-1.15 pm every hourand at 2.30 pm, and on request

ADMISSION IN 2011.....Adults 4.50 euros

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Plassenburg Castle had first been mentioned in 1135 when Count Berthold II von Andechs entitled himself "Comes de Plassenberch". The castle used to be the seat of the noble family of Andechs - Meran for more than 200 years until it fell to the mighty Hohenzollern dynasty. Until the late 16th century Plassenburg castle remained their main seat and the administrative centre of their dominions. In late 15th and early 16th century it gained some sad "fame" for being the place of internment of Margravine Barbara von Brandenburg (who got imprisoned by her own brothers because she refused to marry) and Margrave Friedrich zu Brandenburg (imprisoned for 12 years by his own son). In late 16th century Plassenburg withstood a 7 months siege until the castle garrisons finally had to surrender at June 21st 1554. The victorious troops destroyed the main buildings and systems of defence. Extensive restauration followed only 3 years later.
Plassenburg is one of the most impressive castles of Germany, it is famous for its' beautiful renaissance architecture and today houses several museums, including the army museum of Emperor Friedrich the Great and the Hohenzollern museum.

Just back of the market square there is another long square, simply called Oberestadt, upperr town. There are again many nice old houses, all with the breweries flags, and just up on the hill there is Kulmbach castle. There's a steep small street going up the castle, but also walking there around the uppert town is really nice and quiet.