Gößweinstein is situated high above the confluence of the Wiesent, Püttlach and Ailsbach rivers, offering superb views in all directions across Franconian Switzerland.
⛪ Basilica
The town’s landmark is the pilgrimage basilica, a late Baroque masterpiece built by Balthasar Neumann between 1730 and 1739. It is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and is Germany’s most important Trinity pilgrimage site. Every year, around 140 pilgrimage groups come here, mainly from the dioceses of Bamberg and Würzburg.
🏰 Gößweinstein Castle
Perched on a steep rock above the village stands Gößweinstein Castle, whose origins date back to around the year 1000. In 1890, Baron Edgar von Sohlern rebuilt it in the Neo-Gothic style. It is said that Richard Wagner used it as the model for the Grail Castle in his “Parsifal” in 1879.
👀 Other places of interest
- Way of the Cross – a path with stations leading from the village up to the Kreuzberg, where the high cross stands on the rock. From up there, you have the most beautiful view of the basilica and the castle, just like in the picture above.
- Rock Theatre – a natural stage nestled amongst the rocks, where plays are performed in summer, with the backdrop of Franconian Switzerland behind it.
🍽️ Food
Diagonally opposite the basilica is the Hotel Krone, which has an inn and a café. A hidden gem here is the ‘Wallfahrer-Torte’ (pilgrims’ cake).