Höchstadt a.d.Aisch: City History, Engelgarten and Pond Trails

Höchstadt a.d.Aisch combines distinctive architectural history with the Engelgarten on the Aisch and trails through the pond landscape. If you are looking for a hotel in Höchstadt a.d.Aisch, you can plan your trip around your interests: historic buildings, guided town visits, time in the park or the landscapes around Höchstadt.

Church, Castle and Town Fortifications

After the St. Nicholas Castle Chapel, St. George’s Parish Church is the oldest place of worship in Höchstadt. Its bottom three tower levels date from the 12th and 13th centuries. At the castle, the oldest part of the present-day building is at the northeast corner: the massive foundation of a tower from the early 13th century. The castle acquired its present appearance around 1714 under Bishop Lothar Franz von Schönborn.

The town tower offers a different perspective on the town’s history. It is a surviving gate tower from the 14th century and belongs to the second of a total of three town walls or fortification rings. The church, castle and town tower thus represent different periods of construction and can each serve as a starting point for a visit focused on local history.

Engelgarten and Guided Tours

Engelgarten lies between the historic town wall and the Aisch. It has seating, a large children’s play area and panoramic views over the Aisch river meadows. A fitness trail is intended for families, children and seniors. If seating or the play area is important for your visit, check the park’s current facilities in advance, as amenities may change.

Guided tours in Höchstadt include themed tours, night watchman tours, tours in historic costume and tours of the Kellerberg cellars. The different formats focus on different topics: you can choose an option based on your interest in local history, night watchmen or the cellars.

Trails near Höchstadt in the Erlangen-Höchstadt travel region

Several described trails pass through the landscape near Höchstadt, within the wider Erlangen-Höchstadt travel region. The Eisvogelweg is a marked, flat circular trail of about 2.6 kilometres through the Franconian pond district. The Orchideenweg is about 2.2 kilometres long and designed as a route for vehicles and pedestrians through a Franconian cultural landscape. It passes reed-fringed ponds and wet meadows, home to numerous waterbirds and orchids such as the marsh helleborine.

The Seerosenweg is a mostly flat walking trail of about 2.4 kilometres through the historic Gretelmark forest. Its landscape features include woodland ponds, water lilies, cattails and kingfishers. The three trails are similar in approximate length, so your choice will mainly depend on the type of route and landscape you prefer: a marked circular trail, a route for vehicles and pedestrians, or a mostly flat walking trail.

Museum, Carp and Public Skating

The Spix Museum is located in Höchstadt, within the wider Erlangen-Höchstadt travel region, in the birthplace of naturalist Johann Baptist Ritter von Spix. Interactive exhibits tell the story of his life and the history of the house where he was born. They include a computer-controlled, light-controlled rainforest diorama with animal figures and animal sounds, especially recommended for children.

Culinary themes may also play a part in planning your trip. The Aischgründer mirror carp is one of the regional specialities of the wider Erlangen-Höchstadt travel region. In Höchstadt a.d.Aisch, this includes carp from the surrounding Himmelsteiche ponds and a variety of culinary preparations. The product has Protected Geographical Indication status; the season runs from September to April.

Public skating takes place at the Höchstadt ice rink on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. As the season and skating times are subject to change, check the latest information before your visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Vestenbergsgreuth, Uttenreuth, Hemhofen, Marloffstein, Adelsdorf, Eckental, Kalchreuth, Erlangen.

Back to the travel overview: Erlangen-Höchstadt.