Forchheim lies on the western edge of Franconian Switzerland and, with over 1,200 years of history, is one of the oldest towns in Franconia. It is best known for its half-timbered old town, the Kellerwald and the Annafest.
📜 History
As far back as the Carolingian period, Forchheim was an important centre with a royal palace where German kings were elected on several occasions – hence its nickname, the ‘King’s Town’.
👀 Sights
- Imperial Palace – this late-medieval palace (14th century) now houses the Pfalzmuseum, featuring wall paintings well worth seeing.
- Town Hall – a magnificent half-timbered building with ornate carvings dating from 1523.
- Kammerersmühle – the leaning half-timbered house dating from 1697 on the River Wiesent, whose foundations have subsided towards the river; one of the town’s most popular photo spots.
- Old Town – narrow alleyways, half-timbered houses and picturesque squares around the Town Hall.
🍺 Kellerwald
With 23 beer cellars covering around 20,000 m², the Kellerwald is considered the world’s largest beer garden. Beneath the cellars, an extensive network of tunnels runs through the mountain, dating back to the 16th century. Some cellars are only open during the Annafest, others are open all year round:
- Greifkeller
- Glockenkeller
🍽️ Food
- Stadtlokal – more of a place for a drink, but centrally located right in the heart of the pedestrian zone.
- Hiro – the best sushi
🎉 Annafest
At the end of July, the Kellerwald is transformed into a huge folk festival: over 500,000 visitors come to the Annafest. Its origins date back to the Anna Chapel (1516), to which the people of Forchheim made pilgrimages and stopped off at the cellars on their way home (see Events).