Tüchersfeld in Franconian Switzerland

Tuesday, 17 January 2023 00:00
Written by Portal Editor

A so-called bridging day (between a public holiday and a weekend) enabled us to take a short get-to-know-you trip to Franconian Switzerland, where we also wanted to meet up with a long-standing business partner from Halle, almost halfway.

In the late morning we set off from Albertshofen. First in the direction of Ebrach, it then went via Bamberg into Franconian Switzerland. We had decided on Waischenfeld as our first destination, where we also wanted to ask about overnight accommodation. However, it quickly became apparent that all the guesthouses and accommodations that we had googled in advance had long been fully booked by hikers, motorcyclists or mountain bikers. We were a bit surprised, because we simply hadn't expected so much rush to Franconian Switzerland.

Magnificent view of the so-called "Judenhof"

From Waischenfeld we then drove on state road 2191, which always led us along the Wiesent through the wonderfully green river valley. Here we also immediately noticed the countless fly fishermen who hoped for their fishing luck along the course of the river. It was interesting to see how skilfully the fly fishermen, who were all men here, cast out their fishing lines. We were fascinated by the dexterity, which we therefore want to refer to in a separate article. At the Behringersmühle we then turned left onto the 470 to Tüchersfeld in the Püttlachtal. For all nature lovers or hikers, it should be said that there is a large car park directly opposite the junction, from which the town center is easy to reach. If you want to get an overview of the town first, we recommend the high-altitude hiking trail, which leads from the car park to a viewing platform above the town of Tüchersfeld. In just under 15 minutes you have reached the vantage point, which offers a magnificent view of the so-called "Judenhof", probably the most interesting group of buildings in Tüchersfeld with a small museum, divided into the various parts of the building.

Wax figures known so far only from the museums of Madame Tussauds in London

The so-called former Judenhof is a group of buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries that were erected by Jews on the grounds of the Lower Castle. Inhabited by 18 Jewish families until 1860, after which it was frequently used for different purposes. The building complex was repaired between 1978 and 1982. The Franconian Switzerland Museum is housed here. In more than 40 exhibition rooms, the museum in the historic building ensemble of the Judenhof presents the history and special features of Franconian Switzerland. The synagogue from the second half of the 18th century (around 1763) is remarkable with its simple, late baroque stucco frame on the ceiling; After decades of misappropriation, little can be seen of the original design. The Judenhof in Tüchersfeld with its mighty boulder in the background is considered a symbol of the region.

Immediately after entering the museum, one encounters some exceptionally large exhibits of fossils, including a species of crocodile that has only been found in three specimens so far. Other fossils testify to the region's rich wildlife from 200 million years ago. It continues with tools from the time of the Neanderthals to tools and guild signs of the last centuries. It is also very interesting that it was quite common here in the region to make almost human-looking wax figures as replicas of real people. We only knew this type of wax figure from the museums of Madame Tussauds in London.

Diseases that gave rise to the representations of the wax figures

During pilgrimages, intercession was requested in front of the miraculous image if a child fell ill. After the hearing, the lifelike figures were made and - kept in boxes - placed in the pilgrimage church.

Often provided with a name and reason for the foundation, they stayed there for decades.

This life-size depiction of the speakers as realistic wax figures can only be found in Franconia. A center of distribution is in Gößweinstein, where more than 80 votives have been preserved in the local wax chamber, the oldest figures of which date from the middle of the 19th century.

The majority of the donors came from the village or small town environment, as indicated by the inscriptions. The diseases that gave rise to the representations of the wax figures are also named, often it is pneumonia and / or tetanus spasms.

Here we also learn something about the history of the origin of these striking rocks, which make the town of Tüchersfeld and the entire Franconian Switzerland region so unique. Once a huge sea, the impressive landscape with deeply cut river valleys, huge rock falls and caves, which are now used for tourism, was created by the uplift of the Franconian Jura in the late Tertiary and the subsequent erosion of sand and rock over the millennia.

The whole of Tüchersfeld can be overlooked

Of course, we would also like to see the rock ensemble, which forms something like the back wall of the Judenhof, from above. So back to the parking lot and up to the viewing platform at the end of the Höhenweg. Steps that are a bit difficult to climb due to the high step height make your pulse quicken. But relatively flat pieces of terrain in between ensure relaxation. Shortly before the platform you go through a rock gate, where you have to climb a bit. However, there are strong ropes to hang onto for support and to hold on. The view is then unique. The whole of Tüchersfeld can be overlooked and the Judenhof is also right in front of your feet, just a little lower. Only our guests who have just arrived, whom we can greet from high above, let us start our way back.

When we pass Tüchersfeld again later in the evening, we see part of the Judenhof and the associated rock illuminated at night. Since there are hardly any clouds in the sky and the sun has not yet completely set, the scenery makes for a wonderful photo. Now, however, it is time to start looking for accommodation.

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