Discover Roßtal: Archaeology and Local History

Roßtal offers curious travelers several concrete ways to explore its local history: a monastery garden laid out after an early medieval model, the Archaeological Trail and special details at St. Laurentius Church. If you are looking for accommodation, it may help to first decide what you would most like to focus on during your stay: Would you like to explore archaeological traces, learn about church art or spend time by a pond? The different themes give your stay a range of character, without requiring you to center it on a single excursion destination.

Archaeological Traces and Garden Culture

The museum courtyard grounds in Roßtal are home to a monastery garden laid out after an early medieval model. The garden offers an accessible way to explore a historical subject: you can learn about the design of a monastery garden based on this model. For families who want to explore historical topics together, the garden provides a concrete starting point for conversation.

The Roßtal Archaeological Trail passes several stops at the Oberer Markt in the town center and reopened in 2023. One of its stops is the former margravial court of justice in Roßtal. Within the wider destination of Fürth, the trail also passes the excavation sites of the former castle. Large display panels explain the history of “urbs horsadal”—the name used for Roßtal at its first documented mention in 954. The trail thus brings archaeological sites together with other themes from the town’s history.

Each of the trail’s information panels has two sections. The lower section features child-friendly texts and illustrations. This offers a concrete point of connection if you are traveling with children and want to explore historical topics in a format designed for them.

Details at St. Laurentius Church

The parish church of St. Laurentius in Roßtal also features precisely described historical details. The lowest section of the gallery, closest to the choir, bears Hohenzollern and Brandenburg coats of arms, the Wittelsbach coat of arms donated by Burggräfin Elisabeth, and the coat of arms of the Burggraf of Nuremberg.

Another detail can be found on the 52-meter-high tower: on the south side, above the apex of the Gothic window, runs a frieze decorated with heads. One of the female heads is thought to depict the Nuremberg Burggräfin Elisabeth. The gallery and tower thus show two different ways of looking at church art: heraldic symbols inside and a figurative motif on the exterior architecture.

Pond, Early Summer and Guided Tours

At Spitzweed, benches invite you to linger and watch the fish in the pond. An early-summer “research concert” can also be heard there. This offers a different focus from the trail or church art: here, the pond and a seasonal listening experience take center stage. Guided tours in the Markt Roßtal share stories about the buildings and squares of the old market town. If you would like to include a tour in your plans, check availability with the local organizer.

Roßtal in the Wider Destination of Fürth

For a broader perspective on the wider destination of Fürth, the Hohenzollern Cultural Hiking Trail is another option: this day hike in the Fürth district runs from Roßtal to Langenzenn along field and forest paths, with cultural and historical stops in Roßtal, Cadolzburg and Langenzenn. Check current route information before setting out.

Other places in the wider destination of Fürth also offer their own historical highlights. Cadolzburg Castle has preserved structural elements dating from around 1250 and is home to the interactive castle experience museum “HerrschaftsZeiten! Erlebnis Cadolzburg”; contact the operator for current visitor information. In Langenzenn, the former Augustinian Canons’ monastery complex dates from 1409 and has an exceptionally well-preserved cloister. In Ammerndorf, the Art and Nature Trail offers four themed routes through art and natural landscapes; the educational trail begins at the threshing machine house. Check current local information before visiting these places.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Wilhermsdorf, Zirndorf, Fürth, Cadolzburg, Veitsbronn, Großhabersdorf, Stein, Langenzenn.

Back to the wider travel overview: Fürth.