The very concept of “castle” has entered our mythic consciousness, building on the ancient roots of our fortified civilizations through the ages, and carrying with it both an aesthetic and an emotional resonance that is impossible to ignore.

Earth forts were replaced by tall castle walls, only to be replaced again by trenches during the First World War.Ĭastles, as we think of them in the West, often have a medieval fairytale aesthetic, which stems from mythology more than a practical understanding of what these great fortifications were and how they were used.

As the nature of conflict between the settled areas of the world altered, and as weaponry advanced and shifted in form, the nature of those defenses changed as well. Forts and fortifications from once-mighty civilizations have changed hands and been added to throughout the centuries, providing a timeline for the great bastions of the ancient ages in the very working of earth and stone.Īs time rolled inexorably on, so to did humanity’s pursuit of settled lands rather than nomadic trails, and those settled lands required defenses. In the beginning, the natural formations of rock and wood played the role of shelter, to be built upon and improved in later eons and across countless generations. If you are still in the mood for more, you can be inspired by our well-filled collection page ( /user/nuernbergerland/collections).Human beings have needed fortification for the whole length of their history. And of course, last but not least, the Franconian delicacies in the many cozy restaurants will complete your bike route with culinary delight. Whether riding with your family or sporty friends, you will be amazed. So everyone will find their ideal tour to discover the region. The routes in this Collection are between 10 and 30 miles (16 and 46 kilometers) long and of varying difficulty. Biking through extensive beech, pine and mixed forests guarantees relaxation, as do the Kneipp pools along the cycle paths. On the picturesque Pegnitz, you can lean back and enjoy the ride. Many rivers and streams meander through the landscape, winding down narrow valleys and deep gorges. The Nuremberg countryside is also a paradise for nature lovers and a wonderful recreational area. With our Collection, you will discover the Nuremberg region’s cultural treasures: the proud Hohenstein Castle, the oldest evidence of human life in Bavaria in Hartmannshof, the romantic Ludwigskanal as well as many castles, mansions, churches and more. From bike paths to quaint restaurants you will find everything here. And otherwise, the infrastructure in this area is well developed. All destinations can be easily and quickly reached by train from Nuremberg. In this Collection, we introduce you to eight particularly beautiful bike routes in the Nuremberg region. However, the cultural diversity of the region is not only characterized by 'old walls', but also by unique museums covering a variety of topics and industrial monuments from small mills to the dilapidated factories. You can experience the Middle Ages in the cities of Lauf an der Pegnitz and Hersbruck in a particularly authentic way. Thanks to the perfect cycling infrastructure you can easily explore the region on your bicycle. The area witnessed turbulent history here during the Middle Ages: the dark age has left countless castles, palaces, monasteries and churches. The East of Nuremberg is set amongst enchanting countryside: quiet forest, gentle hills, peaceful rivers and dramatic rock formations.

Ancient castles