Bechhofen — The Brushed Franconian Market Town

You want to know what’s really funny about a town that’s supposed to be famous as a “market” town? Well, at least I think so — it’s the fact that I remembered Bechhofen, a small Middle Franconian town more for its art and architecture than anything I bought around the place.

Not that you’ll have time to buy anything, this place will keep you too busy.

Where to start, is a good question to ask. Bechhofen’s got some twenty-eight districts, found just to the south of the city of Ansbach — so you don’t want to just go wandering aimlessly around, do you?

Nope, didn’t think so — so I’m going to tell you to start right at the Rathaus (Town Hall). From here it’s just a two minute walk to the Deutsche Pinsel- und Bürstenmuseum, or German Brushes Museum, so named because this town is worldwide renown for the brush.

Thanks, it reminded me to paint my walls…

From there it’s just another few minutes over to the Blütenstraße to see the old Jewish cemetery from the first years of the 1700s.

All right, at this point I should’ve told you the best way to get around is by bicycle. It’s only about 2km to the Krummweiher, a recreational area of a water and heath landscape. From here it’s a good 20km to the Schlosspark Dennenlohe, a garden area that makes a good rest stop after biking so far. Too bad the castle is only open just a few days a year — but won’t you be the lucky one if you’re here for that.

With all this exercise you’re bound to have worked up some kind of appetite, so go on over to the Schmalzmühle Käserei. All kinds of cheeses await you here, but if you’re really brave, try the Baurenrebell, a pickled cheese and herb concoction.

You’ve biked and ate, learned some history and soaked in some culture — now it’s time to just relax; and Bechhofen’s Fränkisches Seenland – Altmühlsee is the right place to do it. Whether its sailing or swimming, this lake area is the best of Bavaria; and great enough to remember over shopping.

 

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