Discover Pegnitz: History and Karst Landscape

Pegnitz brings together architectural history, distinctive water features and sweeping views. In the middle of the town’s long, linear market street stands the Historic Town Hall; behind the former Zaußen Mill, the Pegnitz rises from a karst spring. Viewpoints, churches and different stated lengths for the town walk give you a range of options to consider when planning your trip.

Architectural history across the town

Pegnitz’s Historic Town Hall was built around 1347 and stands in the middle of the town’s long, linear market street. The churches also tell a story of change over time: St. Bartholomew’s Church is the third church built on this site; the present church was consecrated in 1900. St. Mary’s Church was built in 1927 for a diaspora congregation that had grown to around 600 Catholics. Around 1939, the Baroque furnishings from Dornbach Church gave it its present appearance.

The history of Zaußen Mill goes back further. Hans Zauß built it around 1450; in 1710, after decades in ruins, Hans Dennerlein rebuilt it. The rock memorial on Fischelhöhe commemorates another chapter in local history: it was erected at the site of the crash in 1973, and a plaque lists the names of all the soldiers who lost their lives. The extensively renovated and converted Altenstädter Castle is used for municipal concerts and events. The Pegnitz Summer Concerts are also part of the events programme.

Karst landscape and viewpoints

Behind the former Zaußen Mill, the Pegnitz rises from a typical karst spring. At the “Karstwunder” (“Karst Wonder”) on Wasserberg, the stream loses some of its water on the northern slope through limestone fissures and a ponor cave. Pegnitz thus features two different water phenomena side by side: the source of the Pegnitz and the partial seepage of the stream.

At 544 metres, Schloßberg is a landmark of the town. Its tower can be reached by climbing 97 steps and offers panoramic views over Pegnitz and the surrounding area. From Kleiner Kulm, which is 626 metres high and one of the highest elevations in Franconian Switzerland, views extend across the Franconian Forest, the Fichtel Mountains and Franconian Switzerland. The two viewpoints offer different perspectives on the landscape.

If you are planning a route with a pushchair, note the restriction on the WaldTIERlehrpfad nature trail: it starts in the Schloßberg area and is not suitable for pushchairs. You can take this specific trail condition into account when planning your day in advance.

Town walks, trails and events

The town walk in Pegnitz starts and ends at the Old Town Hall at Hauptstraße 45. Its stated length is approximately 3.5 or 5.7 kilometres. The Leo-Jobst-Weg, by contrast, starts and ends at the Pegnitz spring behind Zaußen Mill, Bayreuther Straße 3 / Forchheim. The two route descriptions therefore differ in their starting and finishing points: the town walk begins and ends at the Old Town Hall, while the Leo-Jobst-Weg does so at the spring.

Since June 2021, Pegnitz has been served by the regional Schlösserlinie leisure bus route. It runs between Bayreuth, Pegnitz, Pottenstein, Gößweinstein, Waischenfeld, Hollfeld and Kulmbach. If you are planning to use the route during your trip, check the current timetable before travelling. If you want a concert to be the main focus of your stay, it is also worth checking the relevant event dates.

In the wider Bayreuth destination

The wider Bayreuth destination also offers a variety of landscapes. Franconian Switzerland shapes the western and southern parts of Bayreuth district with its varied, gentle scenery. In the north, the Fichtel Mountains define the landscape with dark forests and granite boulder fields. These regional contrasts can help you consider what you would like from a trip beyond Pegnitz, without conflating the landscapes with the town itself.

Bayreuth district has a well-maintained network of around 1,400 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, hiking trails and cycle routes. Long-distance and themed cycle routes run through the district, crossing different natural areas and leading to their distinctive features and tourist highlights. Local circular cycle routes add to the network, making it possible to plan routes over shorter distances. The regional perspective is also useful when it comes to food: many beer gardens in the district are usually associated with their own breweries, butchers or bakeries. Traditional inns serve Franconian dining rooms and regional specialities.

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Back to the overview of the wider destination: Bayreuth.