Volkach: Old Town, Wine and Culture

Historic buildings, a museum, Franconian cuisine and wine offerings give a stay in Volkach a range of possible focuses. The Main Cycle Route reaches the town at kilometer 29.2. If you are looking for a hotel in Volkach, you can first consider whether the old town, culture, wine or cycling is important to your travel plans. The following places and activities offer specific starting points.

Old Town and Architectural History

Volkach’s old town has a historic center with Franconian cuisine, as well as numerous wine bars and wine shops. The town’s architectural history can also be seen at specific sites: the Upper Gate, also known as Diebenturm, was built in the 13th century. The former prison cells are still preserved inside.

The foundation stone for today’s Catholic Church of St. Bartholomew in Volkach was laid in 1413. Construction continued until the 18th century, and the church tower is 54 meters high. The city’s history therefore spans different periods: the construction of the Upper Gate in the 13th century and the church’s construction, which lasted over several centuries.

The Museum Barockscheune Volkach was opened by the city in 2003. It is housed in a renovated 1714 barn with exposed shell-limestone masonry and an unusual mansard hip roof. The permanent exhibition explores the history, landscape and culture of the Mainschleife, as well as the city’s cultural past. The building and exhibition thus bring together two aspects: the historic barn itself and the themes covered by the exhibition.

Since 2006, Volkach’s town chronicler has been guiding children through the exhibition at the Museum Barockscheune. At six interactive stations, young visitors can solve a secret code and open a safe. This is a specific exhibition experience for children, distinct from the historic buildings and permanent exhibition.

Wine, the Market Square and a Visit to the Surrounding Area

Those interested in wine will find numerous wine bars and wine shops in Volkach’s old town. The Volkach Ticket allows visitors to visit participating wine shops and taste a Silvaner or another wine from their selection. It is available from the Volkacher Mainschleife Tourist Information Office in Volkach’s town hall. Participating wine shops may also be outside Volkach; as participating venues and ticket details can change, check the latest information before your visit.

Concerts, wine tastings and markets are held in Volkach’s Market Square. These different uses add a public event venue to the focus on architectural history and wine. No specific dates are listed, so check event dates when planning your trip.

Near Volkach is the Maria im Weingarten pilgrimage church, home to Tilman Riemenschneider’s famous Madonna in the Rosary. During a guided tour, visitors learn about faith, customs and the Madonna. If you would like to plan a visit, check current tour dates and availability before your trip.

Cycling Route and Landscape

The Main Cycle Route reaches Volkach at kilometer 29.2. Just before the Main Bridge, the route branches off toward the historic Market Square. These details give cyclists a specific point of reference: the kilometer marker indicates their arrival in Volkach, while the turnoff points toward the Market Square.

The Wald- & Dorfrunde offers a different perspective on the landscape. It passes two lakes with diverse flora and fauna that provide an ideal habitat for common toads. Together, these give you two different route options: the designated arrival point on the Main Cycle Route, with a turnoff toward the Market Square, and the lakes and their habitats along the Wald- & Dorfrunde. You can choose which of these focuses best suits your trip based on your own interests.

Discover more destinations: Sommerach, Dettelbach, Willanzheim, Mainstockheim, Iphofen, Markt Einersheim, Wiesentheid, Segnitz.

For the broader travel overview: Kitzingen.