Merkendorf between Town Walls and Cabbage Tradition
Accommodation in Merkendorf
Merkendorf combines the character of a historic small town with a long tradition of cabbage growing and trails for hiking and cycling. The historic old town is enclosed by town walls around 1,100 metres long. Three gates and eight towers are part of this fortification ring. Merkendorf is also considered a gateway to the Franconian Lake District, and the town is directly on the B 13. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment in Merkendorf, you can choose where to stay based on your interests: Would you mainly like to explore the old town and its cultural attractions, or take trips around the surrounding area?
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Photo: Tilman2007 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Town Walls, Market Square and Museum
The town walls give the historic town centre a distinctive character. Merkendorf is also home to the late Gothic Evangelical Lutheran town church of “Our Lady”, built in the last third of the 15th century. The late Gothic town hall is a defining feature of the market square. Beside the Steingruber House is a Baroque garden with a fountain, inviting visitors to linger. A stay brings together different impressions: the fortifications, historic buildings and a garden as a quieter place.
The Merkendorf Local History Museum is located on the first and second floors of the former tithe barn at Marktplatz 4. Its 310 square metres of exhibition space offer insights into what life, homes and work were like in a small farming town in the past. During a tour, visitors can sit in an old schoolroom or a shoemaker’s workshop and look at old toys. The museum thus offers a tangible glimpse into everyday history, rather than focusing a visit solely on the buildings around the market square.
Cabbage Tradition and Local Festivals
Cabbage growing has been a tradition in Merkendorf since the 18th century. It also features in the local culinary scene: Cabbage Week offers specialities and a varied programme of events. It is distinct from the Cabbage Festival, which takes place every year on the third Sunday in September in the district of Heglau, around the Krautbauernhof Reuter farm. The date is a useful reference point for planning your trip if you’d like to experience Merkendorf specifically for its cabbage tradition.
Hiking and Cycling Trails
There are numerous marked hiking trails around Merkendorf. The “Two-Town Hiking Trail” links two historic small towns: Merkendorf and Wolframs-Eschenbach. If you’d rather explore by bike, you’ll find signposted cycling routes starting from Merkendorf. These include the Krautland Cycling Route, the Stork Cycling Route and the Carp Cycling Route. Hiking and cycling offer different ways to plan your stay beyond the historic town centre, without bundling the routes into a single excursion itinerary.
Art Courses and a Place to Play
In August, the Merkendorf Summer Academy offers sculpture, painting and modelling courses. At the end of each course week, a vernissage is held on Friday at 6 p.m., where the works created during the courses are presented. This is a cultural highlight in its own right, alongside the historic sights and events centred on the cabbage tradition. Another attraction for all ages is the “Treffpunkt Stadtgraben” adventure playground, with its sculpture trail.
Whether you’re choosing accommodation with the historic town, local culture or outdoor activities in mind, Merkendorf offers several different ways to shape your stay. The B 13, the old town and the signposted trails each represent a different side of the town—helping you decide which ones suit your travel plans.
More Town Guides
You can also explore these town guides: Aurach, Leutershausen, Burk, Mönchsroth, Ornbau, Dinkelsbühl, Unterschwaningen, Buch Am Wald.
For the overarching travel overview: Ansbach.
