Easter Fountains in Franconian Switzerland
Franconian Switzerland is home to the Easter fountains – one of Bavaria’s most beautiful and well-known traditions. Every year at Easter, fountains and springs in around 200 villages are festively decorated with thousands of colourfully painted eggshells, flowers, wreaths and garlands. The tradition is now known worldwide and attracts thousands of tourists to the region every year.
Origins and significance
The tradition has its roots in the historical importance of water for the arid plateau of the Franconian Alb. In the past, water often had to be laboriously carried into the villages or collected in man-made ponds (known as ‘Hülen’). Gratitude for the supply of water and the reawakening of nature in spring is expressed through the decoration of the fountains. The oldest documented tradition dates back to 1909 (Aufseß-Haag).
Decoration periods
As a rule, the fountains are decorated from Holy Week until two weeks after Easter. The exact dates vary depending on the village. An up-to-date list of decoration dates is published annually by the Franconian Switzerland Tourist Board.
⭐ Bieberbach – The world’s largest Easter fountain
The most famous and spectacular Easter fountain in Franconian Switzerland is located in the small village of Bieberbach near Egloffstein (Forchheim district). It has been officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest Easter fountain and is adorned with exactly 11,108 lovingly hand-painted eggshells.
The fountain dates back to a former cattle trough from the 1960s, which gives it its extraordinary dimensions. At Easter time, the idyllic village is transformed into a tourist magnet – coaches from all over Germany and abroad stop here. The fountain is decorated from one week before to two weeks after Easter.
Address: Bieberbach, 91349 Egloffstein
Other Easter fountains worth seeing (selection)
- Aufseß-Haag – The oldest documented Easter fountain in the region, decorated since 1909
- Heiligenstadt i.OFr. – Several fountains in the village, including one right on the market square by the town hall; one of the most beautiful in the region
- Birkenreuth – A unique fountain house with an Easter nativity scene inside (90 handcrafted figures), ~3,000 eggs, since 1997
- Bärnfels – Historic double fountain right by the road, consisting of the current fountain and its 19th-century predecessor
- Behringersmühle – Easter fountain with striking millstones in the spa gardens
- Amlingstadt – Fountain in front of St Ägidius’s parish church, a tradition for over 47 years
- Betzenstein – Luitpold Fountain on the market square
- Donndorf – In the grounds of Fantaisie Castle
- Egloffsteinerhüll – Decorated annually by the ‘Hüller Frauen’
- Affalterthal, Hundsboden, Hundshaupten, Bubenreuth, Creußen – Further lovingly decorated village fountains
Tips for visitors
- Many fountains are easily accessible by bus or via walking trails – several can be combined into a single trip
- Bieberbach gets very busy during the peak visiting period (Easter weekend) – arriving early is recommended
- A complete list of all decorated fountains with current display dates: fraenkische-schweiz.com