Herrieden: City History and Experiences
Accommodation in Herrieden
Herrieden combines a distinctive historic townscape with discoveries around town and paths through the countryside. The collegiate basilica, an open-air museum with eight sites and sculptures in the Bürgerpark offer different ways to explore the town’s history. If you prefer to spend time outdoors, you’ll find paths through meadows, fields and forests, as well as activities on the Altmühl. So when looking for a holiday apartment in Herrieden, it’s worth first weighing up your priorities: the old town and its architecture, or outdoor activities in the countryside and the municipal area.
Churches and Architectural History in the Old Town
The Collegiate Church of St. Vitus and St. Deocar, now a collegiate basilica, shapes the town’s skyline with its twin towers and imposing gabled roof. In 2010, it received the honorary title of a papal basilica; it is the only one in Middle Franconia. The Liebfrauenkirche also tells the story of several building phases: it was rebuilt in 1474, reconstructed in 1493 after the town fire of 1490, and extensively renovated between 1997 and 2000. Its unique wooden stucco ceiling dates from 1705.
In 1122, the town castle was the seat of the Lords of Herrieden. Storks have nested on the Storchenturm for centuries; after the tower was destroyed in 1316, it was rebuilt in 1340. In the marketplace, the Deocar Fountain depicts Deocar, the first abbot of Herrieden Monastery, seated beneath trees. The course of the former collegiate wall is also marked in the paving. Details like these make a walk through the old town a series of specific discoveries, rather than reducing the town’s history to a single building.
History to See and Touch
The “Museum Along the Way” presents Herrieden’s history at eight historically significant sites in the town centre. Stelae mark the sites. Seven sculptures in the Bürgerpark at the town castle offer another way to explore the town’s history: visitors can experience it playfully as “art to touch”—the sculptures may be used and touched. For families who enjoy discovering culture together, this offers another way to engage with the town, alongside its churches and historic buildings.
A walk through the old town leads to historic buildings and attractions. Those interested can explore the individual stories surrounding the collegiate basilica, Liebfrauenkirche, town castle and Storchenturm as separate stops. For local information, the Tourist Information office is beside Herrieden’s Storchenturm, in the DECIMA bookshop, Deocarplatz 10, 91567 Herrieden.
Outdoors: Trails, Garden and the Altmühl
Herrieden and its surrounding area have paths and trails through meadows, fields and forests, shown on a Herrieden hiking map. There is also a themed trail nearby: the Wayside Shrines and Chapels Hiking Trail presents accounts of human experiences from past centuries. In the associated municipality, the “Around Elbersroth” hiking trail passes ten sites connected with the work of herbal priest Ludwig Heumann and tells the story of his life and ideas.
Hortus Felix, a 2,800-square-metre permaculture garden, lies on the northern edge of town. It is divided into a buffer zone, a hot spot zone and an intensive zone. Day visitors can fish along approximately 9 km of the Altmühl leased by the Wasserrose Herrieden fishing club; a valid fishing licence is required. In the associated municipality, the Kneipp facility in Lattenbuch has a water basin for walking like a stork, an arm bath and loungers with a view.
Herrieden’s heated Parkbad has a 25-metre pool, a diving tower, a giant slide, cascading showers and massage jets. If you’re planning a stay that gives equal importance to exploring the town and outdoor activities, you can take these different options into account when choosing a suitable holiday apartment.
Festivals Throughout the Year
Herrieden’s Old Town Festival takes place every year on the third weekend in July. The programme includes music, performances by Herrieden associations, food and drink, and attractions for children. Herrieden’s Kirchweih takes place annually in mid-September and includes, among other things, a church service, procession, football tournament, children’s programme and festival tent. Both festivals offer a special opportunity to get to know the town and its associations; their dates are at distinctly different times of the year.
The former railway line, known as the “Bockerla-Bahn,” is also part of the town’s history: the 22.7-kilometre line ran from Bechhofen via Herrieden to Leutershausen-Wiedersbach and began operating in 1903.
Other places to discover include Rös, Oberdachstetten, Mönchsroth, Sachsen Bei Ansbach, Heilsbronn, Wilburgstetten, Schillingsfürst and Hesselberg.
For the broader travel overview: Ansbach.
