Bordering gorgeous Bamberg in Upper Franconia is Hallstadt. Not a lot happens here by way of too many museums or castles, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be scratchin’ your head wondering why you ever chose it in the first place.
There’s just enough around to keep everyone engaged for the better part of a few days. That’s fair enough, right?
As with any overnight stay some place you need a place to sleep. And as this is Franconia you might as well kill two birds with one stone — beer and a bed, so the Zum Goldenen Löwen (right at Marktplatz 1 and right next to the Rathaus at Marktplatz 2 and near the Marktplatz Bridge) is both an inn & a brewery. Sweet!
Don’t drink too much your first day… you’ll miss all the timber framed houses. ;-)
In my opinion brewery/inn should be the town’s landmark, but that’s the church of St. Killian, an institution around here since 800 A.D. Throughout its 1200 year history it has collected some pretty amazing pieces of religious history including silver, a baptismal font, and even a mid-17th century commode (how interesting).
The other religious churches in Hallstadt are the Chapel of St. Anna (built 1580) and the St. Ursula Chapel (this one’s from 1712, but the original was built 1451).
Walking around Hallstadt seems like it should be enough, but it’s not. All of Franconia is great for beautiful hiking trails; and Hallstadt proves it. It’s part of the Jakobsweg, or the Way of St. James leading towards Santiago de Compostella in Spain; and there are lots of bicycle trails if you want some cardio with your sightseeing.
Not me, I’ll take the shopping at the Child’s Bazaar in March, swimming in the outdoor pool (open May to September), or checking out the Obere Schlösschen (the Upper Castle).
No, I won’t… I’ll take the brewery.
