An interesting walk through Bad Windsheim

The historic old town of Bad Windsheim

It is one of those small towns in Franconia whose historical cityscape has been preserved excellently: in Bad Windsheim magnificent half-timbered houses from the 15 compete. and 16. Century with baroque administration buildings at the city square from the time, when the Franconian city was still free realm city, around the attention of the visitors. The city always knew how to decorate well in the constant hope that the Emperor would once choose Bad Windsheim as a place to stay during one of his travels - but this never happened. Nevertheless, this town in the valley of the Franconian Aisch is a real treasure trove of remarkable architecture, as a free imperial city it possessed numerous rights that enabled its inhabitants to live a prosperous life and thus always had enough money in the city bags to make these decorations.

 

A city tour of Bad Windsheim

We meet our guide in front of the town hall, where a sign indicates that the tour of the city begins from here. Together with other interested guests, most of whom spend a few days at the spa of Bad Windsheim, we spend almost two hours on the road and learn a lot about the history of the city. So, through the archaeological windows in front of the town hall, we take a look at the skeletons unearthed at this spot, and see one of the city's oldest fountains in the underground exhibition rooms and numerous finds that give an insight into the earlier life in Bad Windsheim.

Beer breweries and Steller's sea cow

We stroll past inviting-looking Pilsstuben and wine taverns, which we remember later, and learn that Bad Windsheim once had 30 breweries - an impressive number for a small town of this size, which is not far from the Franconian wine country away. Today only one of them exists in the city center: the Private brewery Döbler. There you can do a beer tasting today and Franconian specialties try out. The large metal manatee is reminiscent of one of the city's famous sons: Georg Wilhelm Steller (1709 - 46), who once accompanied Vitus Bering on his voyage from Kamchatka to Alaska in 1741 and who, as a doctor and explorer, discovered numerous animals on the North American west coast, including the Steller sea cow named after him.

 

 

 

Bad Windsheim's ice cellars

Passing by the remains of the former monastery of the Augustinian hermits and later the city library, the path leads us to the ice cellars of the city. It is cold in the vaults below the city, where thick walls and running water created temperatures in which perishable goods could be stored for a long period of time.

 

The chapel by the lake and the painters' quarter

Worth seeing is the chapel on the lake from the year 1402 with its Buntziegeldach and the surrounding painting district with its buildings from the 16. and 18. Century. Inside the Seekapelle is a masterful copy of the Windsheim Twelve-messenger altar by Tilman Riemenschneider. The original is in the Kurpfälzisches Museum in Heidelberg.

 

 

Baroque houses and half-timbered houses in Bad Windsheim

The wealth of later times in Bad Windsheim becomes clear at the Holzmarkt, where a whole row of baroque houses are lovingly restored to court the attention of the visitors. The details on the house facades are especially beautiful, as is this wrought iron shop sign, which refers to the long tradition of the butcher's family, which is based in this house.

Hidden are probably the most beautiful half-timbered houses in the city: the Town Clerk's House, the Latin School and the Rector's House - all from the 16. Century. They are located in the backyard of the town hall and adjoin the oldest church in the city: St. Kilian, probably already in 12. Century was built. In its present form, however, it only exists since the 18. Century, it burned down to the city fire of 1730 almost to the ground.

 

 

Why a guided tour of Bad Windsheim is worthwhile

You can certainly see this city on your own by taking a walk through the city center. However, you'll miss a lot if you don't treat yourself to the (extremely affordable) city tour, which sets off from the market square in front of the town hall every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and public holidays from 15.00 p.m. It takes you on a two-hour tour of the center of the city. This takes you to sights such as the Archaeological Window or the Bad Windsheim Ice Cellars, which are otherwise not open to the public during the week. And you learn a lot about the backgrounds of the people, buildings and places that make Bad Windsheim so attractive.

The Bad Windsheim open-air museum

Do not miss out on a visit to the Freilandmuseum Bad Windsheim, in which several villages show how farmers once lived in Franconia. We liked this museum because it has nothing museum-like about it. Instead, you feel more like walking through history and experiencing it up close.

Questions and answers about Bad Windsheim:

What is the best way to get to Bad Windsheim?

In order to get to Bad Windsheim, it is advisable to travel by car or train. The city is located on the Würzburg-Ansbach-Nuremberg railway line and is therefore easily accessible. The city can be reached by car via the A7 motorway or the B470 federal road.

What can you do in Bad Windsheim outside of the old town?

In addition to the historic old town, Bad Windsheim also offers many other opportunities for leisure activities. For example, there is the open-air museum, the thermal baths and the spa gardens. Cycling and hiking are also popular activities in the area.

Where is the best place to stay in Bad Windsheim?

There are numerous accommodation options in Bad Windsheim, from hotels and guesthouses to holiday apartments. A stay in the city's spa center, which is directly connected to the thermal baths, is particularly recommended.

What culinary specialties are there in Bad Windsheim?

In Bad Windsheim there are numerous restaurants and inns that Franconian specialties offer. These include bratwurst, Schäufele and Franconian beers. The open-air museum also offers insights into the Franconian cuisine of the past.

Which events take place in Bad Windsheim?

Numerous events take place in Bad Windsheim throughout the year, such as the wine festival in summer, the potato festival in autumn or the Christmas market in winter. Cultural events such as concerts and theater performances are also regularly on the programme. Information on current events can be found on the city's website.

 

 

 

 

Do you know this?

• Gifts for travelers
• Wine hiking in Franconia
• Discover Bad Windsheim and the surrounding area
• Bad Kissingen
• Bad Kissingen Sights for Slow Travelers
• Excursion destinations Franconia

 

Other Slow Travel Destinations You can find it here, for example. Also discover others cities in Germany.

Sources: On-site research with the support of the KKT. However, our opinion remains our own.

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline