Himmelkron: Monastic History and Places to Stroll

Himmelkron offers a range of reasons to visit: its monastic history is reflected in its church interiors and garden, while its avenue and walking spots invite you to spend time outdoors. There is also a motorway church on the A9 for all travellers.

Monastery Complex, Garden and Church Art

The former Cistercian convent of Himmelkron includes the collegiate church and the Knights’ Chapel; the cloister is late Gothic. Guided tours of the collegiate church, cloister, Knights’ Chapel and Collegiate Church Museum last about an hour and are available on request. Individual tours are also possible; arrange a time in advance.

The painted sandstone slabs in the church complex depict Christ, the Apostles and the foolish virgins; their painting dates to around 1490. The exhibits at the Collegiate Church Museum include slabs depicting James the Less and Jude Thaddeus, among other examples.

The medieval herb garden at the former Cistercian convent contains around 120 plants used in medieval medicine. In this way, the study of plants adds a distinctive focus to the history of the church and its art.

History and Time Outdoors

The first lime-tree avenue in Himmelkron was planted in 1663 during the reign of the Margrave of Bayreuth, Christian Ernst (1655–1712). The Baille-Maille Avenue, the historic bridge and a play trail in Himmelkron are inviting spots for a stroll or a break.

The Himmelkron leisure facility is on the outskirts of town towards Trebgast. It is easily accessible by wheelchair and pushchair, with a paved, accessible surface and impact-absorbing areas. Some play stations are wheelchair-accessible; suitability may vary depending on the station.

There are two Kneipp pools in Lanzendorf, within the municipality of Himmelkron: one at Griesplatz and the other in the car park at the entrance to the village towards Himmelkron. The Himmelkron motorway church is right on the A9 and is open to all travellers. Check the access information again before you set off.

More to Explore in the Wider Kulmbach Destination

The wider Kulmbach destination offers more hiking and cultural attractions. The nature trail on Kulmbacher Rehberg is about four kilometres long and has 21 learning stations. Another option is the Frankenwaldsteigla “Rehbergweg”: this 11-kilometre circular route leads from Plassenburg Castle to Rehberg, through Kulmbach’s old town and back to the starting point. The two trails differ in both length and format: learning stations on Rehberg versus a longer circular hike. Check the current route before setting off, as trail conditions can change.

Kulmbach’s cultural attractions also offer a range of experiences. The German Pewter Figure Museum at Plassenburg Castle contains more than 300,000 individual figures arranged in around 150 dioramas. The Bavarian Brewery Museum has more than 3,000 square metres of exhibition space dedicated to the history and art of brewing beer. A visit ends with a taste from the Glass Museum Brewery.

Discover more destinations: Presseck, Kasendorf, Wonsees, Wirsberg, Trebgast, Thurnau, Stadtsteinach, Marktschorgast

Back to the wider travel overview: Kulmbach.