Furth im Wald: Drachenstich, History and Culture

Furth im Wald brings together several distinct cultural themes: the annual staging of the Further Drachenstich, an underground labyrinth several kilometres long, a Japanese garden and the Voithenberghammer. There is also the Further Dragon, a large-scale technical creation. Those planning a stay can choose between festival tradition, underground history, symbolic garden interpretation and craftsmanship.

Drachenstich and Further Dragon

The Further Drachenstich is performed every year and is considered Germany’s oldest popular play. The Drachenstich Festival includes twelve performances with 350 amateur actors. These figures give an impression of the scale of the festival programme. If you want the Drachenstich to be the focus of your stay, check the festival dates for your travel period.

The Further Dragon is a different kind of attraction: the walking robot is the largest of its kind in the world, has been in Furth im Wald since 2010 and is housed in its dragon’s lair at the Further festival grounds from April to October. If you want to include this technical attraction in your plans, take the stated season into account. Choosing between the two dragon attractions depends on what interests you more: the Drachenstich centres on the annual popular play, while the Further Dragon is a technical walking robot. Tradition and technology thus emerge as distinct cultural highlights.

Underground history and garden symbolism

The Further rock passages form an underground labyrinth several kilometres long beneath Furth im Wald. They were hewn into the gneiss from the late Middle Ages onwards. Their length, underground setting and rock give this historic site a distinctive character alongside the festival and garden.

In the Japanese garden in Furth im Wald, a western dragon and an eastern dragon meet and make peace. Unlike the Further Dragon, the focus here is on symbolic interpretation. The garden is freely accessible and can be visited at any time; guided tours are available for groups. Check the visiting arrangements before your trip if you plan to visit the garden.

Blacksmithing and panoramic views

The Voithenberghammer is an outpost of the Further State Museum. An exhibition of forged products and documents about the history of the hammer mill complements the blacksmithing demonstrations. Two enormous iron hammers, each weighing 123 kilograms, show what water power can move.

The town tower offers another perspective: from there, you can enjoy a panoramic view. Check the access arrangements before your visit.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel plans

A specific event can shape your plans differently from a stay that brings together several cultural themes. Align your accommodation search with the highlights that matter for your trip.

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