The best city hikes and walks around Raitenbucher Forest

Former staggered hall, converted into a basilica in the 19th century. Three-aisled nave, consecrated in 1327, hall choir in 1425, renovated between 1440 and 1465, east tower built between 1459 and 1465, completed in 1520, and purifying restoration and conversion of the nave into a basilica in 1891/92.

Part of the wall collapsed due to severe weather a year or two ago. Currently, the site of the restoration work can be seen.

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/

Hospital Church with Hospital Gate, Weißenburg The church and hospital were built from the mid-15th century over the filled-in first city moat. Renovated in the Baroque style by the Eichstätt court architect Gabriel de Gabrieli in 1728/29. On the south wall of the nave is a "Poor Man's Bible" from 1480 depicting scenes from the life of Mary and Jesus. In the choir, there are also medieval wall paintings, high-quality stucco work, and ceiling paintings (1729). Extensive renovation from 1995 to 2003. Text / Source: Large district town of Weißenburg i. Bay., New Town Hall, Marktplatz 19, Weißenburg i. Bay. https://www.weissenburg.de/sehenswertes/spitalkirche_mit_spitaltor-3100/

Gothic Town Hall, Weißenburg / Imperial (Old) Town Hall Historic Weißenburg! The three-story sandstone block building was built at the height of the town's development as an imperial city between 1470 and 1480 (tower added in 1567). The site marks the intersection of the long-distance trade routes running through Weißenburg. The first floor houses the balcony, and the second floor houses the council and city court meeting rooms (no public viewing possible). Extensive, fundamental renovation between 2002 and 2004. Text / Source: Large district town of Weißenburg i. Bay., New Town Hall, Marktplatz 19, Weißenburg i. Bay. https://www.weissenburg.de/sehenswertes/reichsstaedtisches_altes_ratha-3073/

St. Andrew's Church, Weißenburg Construction History of St. Andrew's Church 1182 - The first church is built, probably on the foundations of a chapel that belonged to the royal court. 1290 - The church is demolished again to make way for a new building. 1294 - Construction begins on the new building, which is completed and consecrated in 1327. St. Andrew's Church at that time includes the nave and the north tower. 1400 - Around the turn of the century, the citizens of Weißenburg begin another new building. This time they want to build a church modeled on St. Sebaldus in Nuremberg. Because the city wall limits the square, this building is to be aligned differently than the existing one. 1425 - The late Gothic choir is completed and consecrated. But now the city runs out of money. So the (new) choir is connected to the (old) nave. This is how St. Andrew's Church takes on its present form with its shifted axis. 1459 - The first stone for the tower is laid. 1465 - The present baptistery is consecrated. It forms a single architectural unit with the Bridal Portal and the St. Michael's Chapel above it. 1520 - After more than sixty years of construction, the tower is completed. Contrary to all custom, it is located in front of the choir. 1850 - In the course of a belated "iconoclasm," the valuable furnishings from pre-Reformation and later periods are squandered. 1891 - The nave is raised and receives the mezzanine. 1958 - The final renovation. The church is largely restored to its original Gothic appearance. Text / Source: Evangelical Lutheran Church Weißenburg St. Andreas Parish https://st-andreaskirche.de/st-andreas-kir-che/#:~:text=The townscape of Weißenburg is characterized by an impressive, architecturally significant altarpiece, and the famous denominational image.

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.

Martin Luther, Weißenburg The Martin Luther Monument. On October 31st, we celebrate Reformation Day in Germany. In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Castle Church in Wittenberg on this day. A few years later, as is known from some posts, Weißenburg decided in favor of the Reformation on November 15th, 1530, with 450 votes to 8. Today, the Martin Luther Platz, named after him, next to the St. Andreas Church, and the monument standing on it, remind us of this. 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.