The best cycling routes around Bad Staffelstein

High above the Obermain, the impressive Basilica of Vierzehnheiligen towers – one of the most famous buildings of Franconian Baroque and part of the classic trio in the Gottesgarten am Obermain. The Franciscan monastery adjoins the basilica directly. Those looking for a Franconian specialty after their visit can try the well-known Nothelfer Bier at the Trunk brewery, not far from the basilica. Vierzehnheiligen can be easily reached from Lichtenfels on foot and is also well connected by bus. A large car park is also located in the immediate vicinity of the basilica. A highlight that is perfectly suited as a hiking destination as well as a short stopover in the Gottesgarten am Obermain. Opening hours of the basilica: ☀️ May to September: 06:30–19:00 ❄️ October to April: 07:30–17:00 Please note: The opening hours are not automatically equivalent to the visiting hours. During services and liturgical celebrations, the basilica is closed for visits. A church cleaning also takes place on Thursdays from 09:00–16:00. (vierzehnheiligen.de)

The Staffelstein Town Hall was severely damaged in two town fires in 1473 and 1684. It was rebuilt from 1684 to 1687 on the late medieval ground floor walls. Planning and construction were carried out by master builder Jacob Pless and carpenter Adam Kunzelmann from Stübig. This new building had two upper storeys with half-timbering and a roof structure with a turret and a dormer. On the ground floor, the town scales and sales stalls were located between open round-arch arcades. The council chamber, a kitchen, and the ballroom were on the first upper floor, with the cloth and linen weavers' stalls one floor above. In the mid-18th century, a new entrance portal was added in the middle of the main facade. The building was baroqueized. Above the main portal is the coat of arms of the Bamberg Cathedral Chapter, a golden shield with the black double-headed eagle, on which an imperial crown rests, followed by a relief of the half-figure of Emperor Henry II, who holds the sceptre in his outstretched right hand and the imperial orb in his left hand against his chest. The sculpture presumably comes from the workshop of the Staffelstein stucco artist Martin.

The ensemble within the 14th and 15th century fortification ring developed from the earliest mention of the present settlement around 800. The town parish church of St. Kilian was founded centrally within it even before 1007. In 1130, the settlement received market rights, a good 250 years later full jurisdiction. From 1422, the town's fortifications were built. In 1473, the town burned down, including the parish church and the town hall. In the Thirty Years' War, in 1684, almost the entire place fell prey to the flames again. The symbol of the subsequent reconstruction is the town hall from 1686/87. Of particular importance is the cohesive appearance of the buildings, which is shaped by the reconstruction after the town fire of 1684. These typically include two-storey front houses, often with gables facing the street, featuring decorative half-timbering on the upper floor. In addition to wall remnants, the Bamberger Torturm gate tower, dating back to the 16th century in its core, has been preserved from the town's fortifications.

The thermal brine bath "Obermain Therme" was opened to bathers on January 1, 1986. At a depth of 1600 meters, Bavaria's warmest and strongest thermal brine had been discovered with an exit temperature of 52 degrees Celsius and a nine percent mineralization. A second drilling in 1993 tapped a 53-degree warm brine with a twelve percent mineralization at a depth of 1180 meters. The spa is divided into the areas of Thermal Bath, Sauna, Wellness, and Health Resort. Every year, almost 800,000 people visit the "Obermain Therme", which is an average of 2000 per day.

A nice spot here on the Main.

The old town is always worth a visit.

The town hall of the Upper Franconian town of Bad Staffelstein in the Lichtenfels district was built in 1687. The listed half-timbered building stands freely in the town center on the market square.

The Obermain Theme celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. For this reason, there is a prize draw. The winning numbers will be announced monthly. The slogan for it: May your luck bubble like Bavaria's warmest thermal brine!