Situated on top of a basalt outcrop and looking over the sweeping valley below, Burg Parkstein was once a magnificent castle of unknown origin, which was inhabited since at least the 12th century. The structure was damaged during the Thirty Year War, and was eventually razed to the ground, with a beautiful chapel now taking its place. Explore the few sparse remnants of this once majestic castle and enjoy the admirable views of the verdant countryside.
With a visit to the MuseumsQuartier, one can learn all about the town's diverse history in a short span of time. A walk along these cobbled lanes will bring you to the fishery museum, which explains the history of fishing and fish rearing. A former monastery is also part of the quarter, housing exhibits depicting the town's eventful history, its importance in manufacturing porcelain and a host of other topics. With such culturally diverse topics on offer, visitors to MuseumsQuartier always leave enriched and fascinated.
Himmelsleiter, which, when loosely translated, means 'ladder to heaven', is an important panoramic attraction in Tirschenreuth. Climbing up the stairs will give visitors unrestrained views of the town and the Tirschenreuth pond, which is always awash in a host of different colors as the sunlight falls on the tranquil waters. To admire this gorgeous view, a detour to Himmelsleiter is a must.
Established in 1992, Deutsches Fahrzeugmuseum is a car museum in Fichtelberg, Germany. It showcases more than 500 exhibits from 1896 till the present day. These not only include some exclusive pieces of cars and motorcycles but also airplanes, tractors, and fire engines. The exhibition is spread over three floors and a massive outdoor area. It is a delightful place for automobile enthusiasts in the Upper Franconian city.
Creatively centered around a sand dune which resulted from mining activities, Monte Kaolino is a one-of-a-kind sand-ski park. Apart from skiing and camping, activities like golf, swimming, skating and climbing are also on offer. The recreational area also hosts several sand-boarding competitions, among which the Sandboarding World Championships are the most well-known. All in all, this is a perfect place to keep your adrenaline pumping.
Founded in 1907, Fichtelgebirge Museum is a regional museum in Wunsiedel, Germany. It is housed in a number of hospital buildings spread across 2500 square meters (0.61 acres) of exhibition space. The exhibitions here deal with subjects like prehistory, geology, mineralogy, mining, regional history, and cultural history. Exclusive display of a mineral collection of about 2000 individual rocks and crystals and a collection of painted furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries is seen here. Moreover, the smithy, pottery, and whitesmith workshop at this place give visitors an insight into these prominent trades of the past.
Dating back to the Middle Ages, Stadtkirche St. Bartholomäus is an ancient marvel of the Marktredwitz. The year of construction of the church is unknown, however, it is speculated that the church existed during the 14th Century. The simple yet elegant exteriors of the church include a Gothic choir, a broad Renaissance-style three-nave and a 15th-century vault. The church underwent many renovations after being severely damaged in the fire of 1534 and 1822. Among the many notable features of the church, the southwestern cornerstone, the Kircheninneres with organ and the ceiling paintings steal the show with its exquisite beauty and splendor.
A mountain range in Germany and also a designated nature park is the Steinwald mountain range. Basalt and granite landscape are the dominating features of the forest area and apart from that, it houses many tropical plants and tons of other species of flora and fauna. The forest has rich source of precious tines like oar, jasper and agate etc. The nature park designation was given in 1970 with an aim to preserve the local ecology and boost tourism of the region. The spacious park provides opportunities for cross-country skiing, hiking, biking and mountain climbing to people of all ages during suitable conditions.
The roots of this cemetery church can be traced back to the later half of the 16th century. Well-preserved medieval tombs can be found here.
A stunning mosaic of over 2,500 ponds dominate the scenery in Tirschenreuth district - a landscape that has only grown more beautiful since it first came into existence in the Middle Ages. Both historical and scenic, this tapestry of ponds and vivid green strips of land welcomes scores of travelers to marvel at its beauty. The fact that some of these ponds are lined with kaolin clay - a main component in the manufacture of porcelain - makes it even more remarkable. Traditionally, this pond area has been an integral part of the regional fishing industry, but has grown very popular over the years with day trippers, hikers and wanderers who stop by to soak in its unspoiled beauty.
The school church originally belonged to the Salesian convent, a religious order that came to Amberg in 1692. The church was built in 1697-1699 by master builder Wolfgang Dientzenhofer, the stucco work was carried out by Anton Landes. The church is one of the most important Rococo church buildings in Germany.
A significant landmark in the monastic village of Speinshart, this abbey is a remarkable exemplar of Baroque design. When it was first built, it reflected a Romanesque style of architecture, which was altered when the church was rebuilt in the late 17th century, based on plans drawn by the Dientzenhofer brothers. Since then, the church and its ornate interiors have withstood time, and continue to enthrall visitors with vivid frescoes, the choir arch, and a splendid statue of a wood-carved Madonna.