Discover Hohenberg an der Eger

Hohenberg an der Eger offers several starting points for a trip: the history of the porcelain industry, landmarks from the history of the castle and church, and paths and landscapes along the Eger. Which of these subjects you would like to explore can help guide your plans.

Porcelain and history

The Porzellanikon in Hohenberg an der Eger is housed in the former villa of Carl Magnus Hutschenreuther and presents the history of the regional porcelain industry. A visit to the factory outlet also lets you discover the distinctive features of Dibbern porcelain firsthand. As factory outlet conditions may change, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

Hohenberg Castle was built between 1170 and 1222 to protect an old trade route. It ran from the east past Hohenberg via the town of Eger (Cheb). Another historic building is the Confinhaus near the Hohenberger Hammermühle. The former quarantine station dates from the late 18th century. Its upper floor is timber-framed, and the pitched roof has been altered. Hikers and cyclists who have used the border crossing near the Hammermühle to enter the Czech Republic since March 1, 1996, pass the Confinhaus before crossing the Eger bridge.

St. Elisabeth Church also has a long history: it developed from a small chapel belonging to the castle and originally came under the parish of Arzberg. In 1508, it was first mentioned as the “Chapel of the Blessed Virgin by Hohenberg Castle.” Its furnishings include an altar created by Marianne Wendt in 1949, a pulpit and a baptismal font made of reddish terracotta, and an oak-winged altarpiece carved by Albert Sterr in 1952. The Fatima Chapel was built beneath an oak tree in 2005 and solemnly consecrated that same year with a donated statue of Our Lady of Fatima. The Fatima prayer group meets on the 13th of every month for a devotional service and prays the rosary in response to the requests of the Virgin Mary.

A 2.40-metre-high sculpture of a bagpiper, made of shell limestone, stands by the Eger bridge near the Pfeiffermühle as a reminder of Bohemian musicians. It was erected in November 1963 and commemorates musicians who travelled to Bavaria in summer during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The sculpture was designed by Oswald Hoffmann and made by Ludwig Deller.

Landscape and trails

On the German side, the Eger flows through Weißenstadt, Röslau, Marktleuthen and Hohenberg an der Eger. Its course provides species-rich habitats with varying nutrient levels; the floodplains are rich in nutrients from river deposits. Steinberg rises west of the town of Hohenberg an der Eger, reaches 653 metres and lies in the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park. Heiligenberg is a protected geotope of great geoscientific value.

Carolinenquelle is a mineral spring with healing properties on the “Kuppelwiese” in “Kocherrangen” Nature Park, just a few metres from the Eger. From the car park, a forest road leads down into the Eger floodplain; it takes five minutes to walk to the spring. There are further information boards there, including boards from the Geopark. Check local conditions before your visit.

The “Kaiserweg” themed hiking trail starts in Hohenberg and runs along the Eger. Information boards cover the geology, nature and cultural history of the Eger valley. Circular Trail 1 follows the Eger downstream and returns to the castle square via a steep climb through Kocherrangen Nature Park, with lovely views of the valley. On Circular Trail 7, the Hirschsprung hydroelectric power station and the bridge towards Gut Blumenthal lie along the route described; the bridge leads back to the opposite bank. After a turn-off, the trail runs directly along the riverbank into the Wellerthal. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Carolinenquelle offers another perspective on the landscape, while Steinberg and the protected Heiligenberg geotope each have their own distinctive character. When planning your trip, it is worth noting the specific features of the routes: the steep climb is explicitly part of the description of Circular Trail 1, while the Kaiserweg features information boards on the geology, nature and cultural history of the Eger valley.

In the wider destination of Hohenberg a.d.Eger

In the wider destination of Hohenberg a.d.Eger, the surrounding area serves as a starting point for hikes and cycling and mountain biking tours to Liba and Cheb, Hengstberg, the Wellerthal and along the Eger. Circular Trail 3 follows the old school path through the forest down to Neuhaus an der Eger; from the route, views stretch from Hohenberg across Bohemia to the Kaiserwald. Hohenberg Castle also has a curtain wall with three round towers and two square ones. The castle is considered the best-preserved castle complex in the Fichtelgebirge.

Other places and getting there

The “Milchhof” now houses the town archive and serves as a place to learn about Hohenberg’s history. Another historic building is the former forestry office at Hirtengasse 2, which bears the date 1768. The single-storey building has a mansard half-hipped roof, rendered exterior walls, a half-timbered gable and a granite door surround.

Opened in 2023, Sakura Activity Park offers play equipment for young children and fitness stations for older adults. It is especially impressive when the cherry trees bloom in April. Check the current facilities before your visit. Hohenberg an der Eger can be reached by train via Schirnding station and by car via the A 9 and A 93 motorways.

For the wider travel overview: Schirnding.