The best road cycling routes around Höttingen

Until 1789, Ellingen was the residence of the Land Commander of the Franconian Bailiwick of the Teutonic Order. The present palace complex, built from 1708 to around 1760, was preceded by several medieval buildings and a Renaissance structure. The current main building was constructed between 1717 and 1721 by the architect Franz Keller, based on plans by Wilhelm Heinrich Behringer under the direction of Karl Heinrich von Hornstein.

The tourist information office is located directly next to the town hall, towards the castle. There you can find, among other things, a map for the Ellingen Baroque Trail.

Leadership is quite interesting

An arched bridge in the middle of Pleinfeld in the immediate vicinity of the center

Poppy seed plait and cappuccino

Many small shops and some options for a break, whether café or ice cream parlor 😊

Historic Old Town, Weißenburg and City Fortifications with Lakeside Walk The buildings in Weißenburg exude the self-confidence of an imperial city—no wonder, given Weißenburg's rich history. Today, they form the backdrop for diverse cultural events. For five centuries, Weißenburg was a Free Imperial City, subject only to the Emperor; today, buildings such as the city fortifications with their 38 towers and the Imperial City Museum bear witness to its heyday. The city's ancient walls are not only impressive sights in their own right, but also provide space for popular and well-known cultural events: The concert series "Musica Biriciana - Music in Ancient Walls" and the summer festival on the magnificent natural stage of the Bergwaldtheater are part of the "Musical Magic of Franconia" festival. The renowned "Franconian Summer - Musica Franconia" also regularly visits the city. History of a Free Imperial City At its heart, Weißenburg has retained the character of a former Free Imperial City. First mentioned in a document (in Latin) in 867, the Franconian royal court, where Charlemagne is said to have stayed in 793 on the occasion of the construction of the "Fossa Carolina," first became a Salian, then a Hohenstaufen estate, and in the 11th century, a walled city. The existence of the first coat of arms in 1241 manifests the emergence of municipal self-government. By 1296 at the latest, Weißenburg was one of only six Free Imperial Cities in present-day Franconia. Following the example of the Imperial City of Nuremberg, Weißenburg joined the "Confessio Augustana" in 1530. The construction of the Wülzburg Fortress from 1588 and the Thirty Years' War affected Weißenburg in many ways. In 1802, the city lost its imperial freedom, first passing to the Electorate of Bavaria, then to Prussia, and finally to the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1806. Even today, evidence of this remains includes, among others, the following: The largely preserved city fortifications with 38 towers and the only remaining city gate – the Ellinger Tor – with the Hohenstaufen Imperial Eagle in the center and the two city coats of arms from 1241 and 1481 respectively; the Imperial (Old) Town Hall (1470-80); the St. Andrew's Church, the Hospital Church, and the Carmelite Church from the city's great era, when the "wings of the eagle," i.e. the emperor, still nominally ruled over it. Text / Source: Weißenburg Tourist Information, Martin-Luther-Platz 3, Weißenburg i. Bay. https://www.weissenburg.de/sehenswertes/historische_altstadt-1816/

The predecessor of the Stopfenheim Vogteischloss (Bailiff's Castle) was a moated castle that was demolished in the early 18th century. In 1716, the current castle was built as a bailiwick of the Teutonic Order by master builder Franz Keller in the Baroque style over the foundations of the previous building. The castle is a four-winged complex with a moat, built around a rectangular courtyard. From 1824 to 1964, the building served as a rectory and became private property in 1975. In 1994, Paul Neumann from Munich purchased the castle at auction and had it renovated. (according to Wikipedia)