Franconian Lakes Highlights

The Lakes

Little Lake Brombach (Kleiner Brombachsee/2,5 sq.km), Great Lake Brombach (Großer Brombachsee/8,7 sq.km), and Lake Igelsbach (Igelsbachsee/0.9 sq.km): Embedded beautifully in the Valley of Brombach and Igelsbach, between Gunzenhausen and Pleinfeld, theses lakes form the perfect vacation region to sail and surf, bath and fish, hike and bike. The ancient cultural heritage of the area seamlessly completes the untouched landscape with its vivid waters.

Pictures: Town Archive Hilpoltstein

Castle Ruins of Hilpoltstein

It is documented that a castle had been on the limestone rocks above the town as early as in the 11th century. Its bloom is dated back to the reign of the Lords of Stein during the 13th and 14th century.

The last resident was Dorothea Maria, widow of the Count Palatine Ottheinrich II of Neuburg-Sulzbach. She died in 1639 on the Castle of Hilpoltstein. The ruins were archaeologically examined and restored in the last years. The Eastern part is dominated by the Keep and its three-meter thick walls. During summer months, a climb up is rewarded by the beautiful panorama view.

800 citizens put on their historically detailed costumes, turning the town into a colorful sea of joy on the first week-end in August, when for four days Hilpoltstein celebrates Countess Palatine Dorothea Maria's move-in in 1606.

Below the 1000-years old castle, a charming townscape has developed over the centuries. In medieval times, Hilpoltstein was of some significance. The Lords of Stein (1129 to 1385) shaped the town in their position as Ministers of the Empire, responding directly to the Emperor. One of the Empire's most important trade routes lead from Nuremberg to the market of Hilpoltstein, where a trading house was established in 1417/1418, and on to Munich and Venice.

During the Renaissance Era, Hilpoltstein was part of the Palatine Neuburg, and later of the Bavarian Kingdom. Between 1880 and 1972, Hilpoltstein was district seat of Hilpoltstein County, which extended South into today's Upper Bavaria. Today the sectors of trade, service, and catering are characteristic of the gorgeously restored market square.