Himmelkron: Monastery History and Walking Routes

Monastery History, Church Art and Herb Garden

The former Cistercian convent includes the collegiate church and the Knights’ Chapel; the cloister is Late Gothic. Painted sandstone slabs in the church complex depict Christ, the Apostles and the foolish virgins. The paintings are dated to around 1490. The collegiate church museum displays example slabs featuring an image of Christ, a foolish virgin, and depictions of the Apostles James the Younger and Jude Thaddeus.

Visitors interested in the complex can enquire about a guided tour of the collegiate church, cloister, Knights’ Chapel and collegiate church museum. It lasts about an hour; individual tours are also available. Please arrange a time in advance. This allows you to focus your visit on the historic rooms and the images displayed there.

The medieval herb garden at the former Cistercian convent offers another glimpse into the monastery’s history. Around 120 plants used in medieval medicine grow there; the number may change over time. The lime-tree avenue also recalls the site’s past: Himmelkron’s first lime-tree avenue was laid out in 1663 during the reign of Margrave Christian Ernst of Bayreuth (1655–1712).

Walks, Play and Practical Information

The Baille-Maille Avenue, a historic bridge and a play trail in Himmelkron invite visitors to walk and relax. This makes time outdoors another option alongside the historic attractions. The recreational facility at the edge of town in the direction of Trebgast has a firm, accessible surface and impact-absorbing surfaces. It is easy to access by wheelchair and with a stroller; individual play stations are accessible without barriers. Accessibility may vary depending on the station and individual needs.

For Kneipp facilities, the exact location matters: two Kneipp footpaths are available in the municipality, in Lanzendorf. They are located at Griesplatz and at the parking lot at the entrance to town in the direction of Himmelkron. Himmelkron’s motorway church, meanwhile, is right on the A9 and open to all travellers. For specific visit plans, it is advisable to check locally in advance.

These different priorities can also be weighed when planning a holiday: church art and guided tours offer a different focus from walks or the recreational facility. If you are considering Himmelkron as a holiday destination, compare the stated locations of holiday apartments with the places you want to visit.

The wider destination of Kulmbach

Those also considering the wider destination of Kulmbach will find more options for comparing interests and tour lengths. The nature trail on Kulmbach’s Rehberg is about four kilometres long and has 21 learning stations. The Frankenwaldsteigla “Rehbergweg” is an 11-kilometre circular route: it leads from the Plassenburg to the Rehberg, through Kulmbach’s old town and back to the starting point. The information distinguishes between a nature trail with learning stations and a longer circular route with stops in the town and on the Rehberg.

Kulmbach also has dedicated attractions focused on culture and regional themes. The German Tin Figure Museum at the Plassenburg contains more than 300,000 individual figures arranged in around 150 dioramas. The Bavarian Brewery Museum devotes more than 3,000 square metres of exhibition space to the history and art of brewing beer. A visit ends with a tasting sip from the Glass Museum Brewery. The wider destination therefore offers a range of different themes, while Himmelkron has its own focus on monastery history, gardens and walking opportunities.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Untersteinach, Kasendorf, Wonsees, Trebgast, Stadtsteinach, Neuenmarkt, Presseck, Grafengehaig.

Back to the wider travel guide: Kulmbach.