Merkendorf: Town Walls, Cabbage and Trails

Merkendorf combines a distinctive historic old town with a cabbage-growing tradition dating back to the 18th century and trails into the surrounding countryside. The town is located directly on the B 13 and is considered a gateway to the Franconian Lake District. Here, local history, regional food culture and activities on foot or by bike come together. When planning a stay, you can decide whether to focus on the old town, an event related to cabbage, or the trails around Merkendorf.

Town Walls, Church and Museum

The historic old town is enclosed by around 1,100 metres of town walls. Three gates and eight towers form part of this ring of fortifications. Its approximate length and the many towers and gates make the town wall a distinctive feature of the townscape. On the market square, the late Gothic town hall dominates the scene. The Evangelical Lutheran town church of “Our Lady” is also late Gothic; it was built in the last third of the 15th century. The town wall, town hall and church offer different architectural points of interest in the historic townscape.

The Merkendorf Local History Museum is located on the first and second floors of the former tithe barn at Marktplatz 4. Its 310 square metres of exhibition space offer insights into life, housing and work in a small farming town in earlier times. During a visit, visitors can sit in an old schoolroom or cobbler’s workshop and look at old toys. This look at everyday life complements the town’s architectural history with tangible insights into past ways of life.

Next to the Steingruber House is a Baroque garden with a fountain, inviting visitors to linger. It offers a different focal point from the fortifications and market buildings: here, the garden and fountain take centre stage.

Cabbage Tradition and Events

Cabbage has been grown in Merkendorf since the 18th century. The Cabbage Festival takes place every year on the third Sunday in September in the Heglau district, around the Reuter cabbage farm. Cabbage Week offers culinary specialities and a varied programme of events. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the current programme in advance.

Hiking Trails, Bike Tours and Summer Academy

There are numerous marked hiking trails around Merkendorf. The Two-Town Hiking Trail connects the historic small towns of Merkendorf and Wolframs-Eschenbach. This gives you a choice between trails in the area around the town and a named route connecting two historic towns. Bike tours also start in Merkendorf: signposted routes include the Krautland Cycle Route, the Stork Cycle Route and the Carp Cycle Route.

The Merkendorf Summer Academy is a seasonal cultural offering. Sculpture, painting and modelling courses are held in August. At the end of each course week, a vernissage takes place on Friday at 6 pm, showcasing the works created. As the programme is seasonal and may change, check the current courses and dates before your trip.

The “Treffpunkt Stadtgraben” adventure playground, with its sculpture trail, adds a playful stop to the attractions and is considered a highlight for visitors of all ages.

Camping in the Surrounding Area

Near Merkendorf is the campsite at the Weißbachmühle leisure centre, about 600 metres from town. Its roughly 2,000-square-metre grassy area is separated from the bathing pond by trees. Electricity, water, and supply and disposal stations are available. The site is suitable for children, families, youth groups and supervised group trips. Alongside the old town, culture and trails, this provides a described camping option for a range of groups.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Gebsattel, Schillingsfürst, Petersaurach, Aurach, Gerolfingen, Windsbach, Burk, Dürrwangen.

Back to the main travel overview: Ansbach.