Arberg: Limes, Churches and Art

The market town of Arberg lies between Lake Dennenloher See and Lake Altmühlsee. Its cultural heritage ranges from a former pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary to a reconstruction of the Limes within the municipality. It is worth keeping the different local connections in mind: some sights are in Arberg, while others are in the districts of Großlellenfeld and Kleinlellenfeld.

The Limes within the municipality: a trace as far as Kleinlellenfeld

Within the municipality of Arberg, the Limes runs from Lake Dennenloher See through the districts of Großlellenfeld and Kleinlellenfeld to the county boundary east of Kleinlellenfeld. On the eastern edge of Kleinlellenfeld, watchtower 13/41 and part of the Limes wall were reconstructed to knee height in 2007. The reconstruction is on the Limes hiking and cycling route; there, an information stele about the Limes, designed by Ruffenhofen Roman Park, provides information.

This makes it possible to place the Limes route in context through specific locations and place names: the route described passes through the municipality, while the watchtower, section of wall and stele form a distinct point of interest in Kleinlellenfeld. Anyone interested in Roman history will find not only the route here, but also the visible reconstruction and information on the stele.

Churches, gate tower and visual arts

Two buildings in Arberg stand out, each with a different historical date. The historic gate tower dates from 1531 and was designed according to plans by Gabriel de Gabrieli. The Church of the Holy Cross in Arberg’s cemetery was built in 1586. These dates give each of the two Arberg sights its own place in time.

Another religious and art-historical highlight is in Großlellenfeld. The fortified church there dates from 1445 and was formerly a pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its features include a sacrament niche, wooden figures and frescoes. Its former role as a place of pilgrimage and the artworks mentioned make the church a distinct highlight alongside the buildings in Arberg.

More contemporary art also forms part of the market town’s character: the studios and gallery of Kunstatelier Zimmermann display works by Reinhard Zimmermann and bronze sculptures by Elke Zimmermann. These different forms of work add an artistic perspective on visual art and bronze sculpture to the historical themes.

More cultural topics in the wider Ansbach destination

Other places in the wider Ansbach destination offer additional cultural experiences. The Franconian Literature Trail is a 2.2-kilometre accessible circular route around the town fortifications of Wolframs-Eschenbach. Its 15 panels explore authors from the Middle Ages to the present day whose works address Franconia. The trail combines a set circular route with a literary theme spanning a long period of time.

In Königshofen, the “wiegen & messen” (“weighing & measuring”) museum displays more than 4,000 exhibits. These include historical scales and their weights, cubit rods, folding rulers and vessels for measuring grain. The focus is on objects related to measuring and weighing, with examples ranging from scales and weights to grain-measuring vessels.

The Löhe and Local History Trail in Neuendettelsau explores a different historical topic. It takes visitors on a journey back to the 19th century, when Pastor Wilhelm Löhe worked there. Stops are located in Neuendettelsau and at the churches in Reuth and Wernsbach; each stop has an information board. Literature, everyday history and the connection to Wilhelm Löhe offer a variety of topics within the wider Ansbach destination.

The Literature Trail, the museum and the Löhe and Local History Trail are separate examples from the wider Ansbach destination. First consider which of these topics you would like to shape your trip, then search for accommodation based on that focus.

Discover more destinations: Schnelldorf, Flachslanden, Wilburgstetten, Ansbach, Lichtenau, Burk, Petersaurach, Hesselberg.

Back to the wider travel overview: Ansbach.