The best traffic-free bike rides around Ettenstatt

Until 1789, Ellingen was the residence of the Land Commander of the Franconian Bailiwick of the Teutonic Order. The present palace complex, built from 1708 to around 1760, was preceded by several medieval buildings and a Renaissance structure. The current main building was constructed between 1717 and 1721 by the architect Franz Keller, based on plans by Wilhelm Heinrich Behringer under the direction of Karl Heinrich von Hornstein.

Leadership is quite interesting

Landmark of Pleinfeld

Poppy seed plait and cappuccino

Landmark of the town of Pleinfeld am Brombachsee

Many small shops and some options for a break, whether café or ice cream parlor 😊

Historic Old Town, Weißenburg and City Fortifications with Lakeside Walk The buildings in Weißenburg exude the self-confidence of an imperial city—no wonder, given Weißenburg's rich history. Today, they form the backdrop for diverse cultural events. For five centuries, Weißenburg was a Free Imperial City, subject only to the Emperor; today, buildings such as the city fortifications with their 38 towers and the Imperial City Museum bear witness to its heyday. The city's ancient walls are not only impressive sights in their own right, but also provide space for popular and well-known cultural events: The concert series "Musica Biriciana - Music in Ancient Walls" and the summer festival on the magnificent natural stage of the Bergwaldtheater are part of the "Musical Magic of Franconia" festival. The renowned "Franconian Summer - Musica Franconia" also regularly visits the city. History of a Free Imperial City At its heart, Weißenburg has retained the character of a former Free Imperial City. First mentioned in a document (in Latin) in 867, the Franconian royal court, where Charlemagne is said to have stayed in 793 on the occasion of the construction of the "Fossa Carolina," first became a Salian, then a Hohenstaufen estate, and in the 11th century, a walled city. The existence of the first coat of arms in 1241 manifests the emergence of municipal self-government. By 1296 at the latest, Weißenburg was one of only six Free Imperial Cities in present-day Franconia. Following the example of the Imperial City of Nuremberg, Weißenburg joined the "Confessio Augustana" in 1530. The construction of the Wülzburg Fortress from 1588 and the Thirty Years' War affected Weißenburg in many ways. In 1802, the city lost its imperial freedom, first passing to the Electorate of Bavaria, then to Prussia, and finally to the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1806. Even today, evidence of this remains includes, among others, the following: The largely preserved city fortifications with 38 towers and the only remaining city gate – the Ellinger Tor – with the Hohenstaufen Imperial Eagle in the center and the two city coats of arms from 1241 and 1481 respectively; the Imperial (Old) Town Hall (1470-80); the St. Andrew's Church, the Hospital Church, and the Carmelite Church from the city's great era, when the "wings of the eagle," i.e. the emperor, still nominally ruled over it. Text / Source: Weißenburg Tourist Information, Martin-Luther-Platz 3, Weißenburg i. Bay. https://www.weissenburg.de/sehenswertes/historische_altstadt-1816/

Monument on Martin-Luther-Platz, Weißenburg Today, the monument on Martin-Luther-Platz is indispensable, but it wasn't always here. It took 30 years of disputes and discussions before the statue found its final location. The sculptor wanted to erect his statue where it stands today, but at that time, cars were still parked in front of the church. Therefore, the administration did not want to approve this location. The donor then suggested erecting it on a meadow by the west portal of the church. The Luther statue was to be placed on a pedestal there with a reference to the donor. However, the sculptor was against this pedestal, as "his" Luther should not be placed on something. The reformer saw himself as a man of the people who did not want to tower over people. The sculptor almost wanted to take the monument back because the donor and the artist disagreed. Fortunately, both parties were able to agree on the sidewalk next to the west portal, and the pedestal was also omitted. Luther stood on this sidewalk until the year 2013. However, since the people of Weißenburg were not satisfied with this location, the monument was moved to its originally intended spot, where it belongs, after Martin-Luther-Platz was finally free of cars. By the way, it is not certain whether Martin Luther ever actually visited Weißenburg, as there are no sources to confirm this. However, it is very likely that the reformer traveled through Weißenburg on his journey to Rome in 1510/11. Even if Luther may not have been in Weißenburg personally, he strongly influenced the history of the city. Text / Source: Augenblicke in Weißenburg augenblickeinweissenburg@gmail.com. https://augenblicke-in-weissenburg.de/das-martin-luther-denk-mal/#:~:text=Im%20Jahr%201517%20hat%20Martin%20Luther%20an%20diesem,450%20zu%208%20Stimmen%20f%C3%BCr%20die%20Reformation%20entschieden.