Bayreuth-Kulmbach

Be careful what you wish for, so goes the old saying.  Wishing for cooler weather, and then when the rain comes we are not prepared for it.  

Stepped out this morning after breakfast to do our 10,000 steps (that’s for Maddie) around Bayreuth, with not a thought about the possibility of rain. About mid-walk it started!

The cloudy weather possibly didn’t present Bayreuth in the best possible light (pun not intended). The outlook did reflect  some of Wagner’s music - sorry Wagner fans! The city is all about Wagner, with the opera house (1748) being the main attraction for many, with its very highly decorative interior, reflecting the baroque nature of the city. 

Wagner and his dog!

The Margravial Opera House

Our wandering took us into the centre of the old town before moving on to the The Residenz (Royal Palace) and the Hofgarten which was described as the green heart of the city. Here Wagner took walks on a daily basis.  On exiting the Hofgarten we passed the New Palace (18th century) built after the old Residenz was partially destroyed by fire. 

We found ourselves approaching the Stadkirche church, an impressive gothic building from the outside, but we didn’t enter! We were back in the town centre, near the old Palace, once destroyed by fire, which now houses the administration of the city. Around the streets the marquees for the Bayreuth Festival were in evidence awaiting the rain to stop and the crowds to arrive. 

This was a good time for us to exit the umbrella-free, rain-walk and head back to Hilton. Another lovely walk along the tree lined river bank - and, flat!

The rain stayed with us all the way to Kulmbach where it was much heavier. 

Fortunately the rained eased during the afternoon which gave us chance to stretch our legs around the township. Kulmbach is noted for its beer, and it was obvious that it plays a big part in its affairs, for there were beer flags all around the town. With one of the largest breweries in Germany, and a beer festival each year, Kulmbach is known as the “The Secret Beer Capital” of Germany. 

Kulmbach is particularly noted for the Plassenburg (castle), one of the greatest Renaissance castles in Germany. We didn’t visit it due to the rain.

The castle on the hill and Catholic Church. 

The town is quite picturesque with a mixture of medieval, baroque and rocco buildings - due to the fact that parts have been destroyed as a result of various wars over the centuries. 

The very elegant Rocco Rathaus(Town Hall). 

The market square. 

Castle overlooking the town square. And, the Luitpold fountain, which was built in 1898.  Previously the Zinnsfeld fountain, built in 1660 and symbolising the town's market freedoms, stood on the same spot. It is now in the Holzmarkt. During the Nasis era the fountain was dismantled and stored, but rebuilt in 1994. Surrounded by the town hall, market square, numerous cafés and shops it forms one of the social centrepieces of Kulmbach.

We later returned to Hilton to rest our weary legs, and to escape the persistent rain. Very cozy in Hilton whilst the weather outside is anything but. 

Interesting back garden. 

And, a little bit of Australia!  

Just a note:

There is a big sold out concert in Kulmbach tonight with the Bavarian iconic band Haindling playing to an outdoor audience - thank goodness the rain has stopped.  They have recorded a very popular Bavarian song, now sung at all beer festivals in Bavaria. Have a listen. https://youtu.be/h5PM3oYeKy8 

Unfortunately we are too far away to hear!