176 BACK ROADS GERMANY
Above right Main street of Prichsenstadt,
lined with pretty houses Below Grand
façade of Schloss WeissensteinWHERE TO STAYSCHLOSS WEISSENSTEIN
Schlosshotel Pommersfelden
moderate
Located in Schloss Weissenstein’s
elegant Baroque stable block and bre w-
ery directly opposite the main façade
of the palace, this hotel has simply
fur nished but comfortable rooms.
Schloss 1, 96178; 0954 86 80;
http://www.schlosshotel-pommersfelden.deEBRACH
Klosterbräu Landidyll moderate
Housed in the 18th-century
guesthouse of the former Cistercian
abbey of Ebrach, this hotel has simple
but comfortable rooms appropriate
to its monastic setting.
Marktplatz 4, 96157; 09553 180;
http://www.Landidyll.comPRICHSENSTADT
Alte Schmiede inexpensive
This ancient half-timbered inn faces
a lovely fountain in the heart of
Prichsenstadt’s old town. The rooms
are rustic in style with lots of wood,
and there is a restaurant serving
traditional Franconian fare.
Karlsplatz 7, 97357; 09383 972 20;
http://www.landhotel-alte-schmiede.deVOLKACH
Zur Schwane moderate–expensive
A lovely old hotel and restaurant
with wooden ceilings and cozy,
individually styled rooms furnished
with antiques. It also has its own
winery in a stylish, ultra-modern
property on the outskirts of Volkach.
Hauptstrasse 12, 97332; 09381 806 60;
http://www.schwane.deq Volkach
Bavaria; 97332
With two lofty 13th-century town
gates, a fine 16th-century Rathaus,
and numerous Winzer (wine growers),
Volkach is the attractive “capital”
of the Mainschleife. Historic houses
here include the splendid Baroque
Schelfenhaus and Renaissance
Echterhof. A short walk from the
town is the late-Gothic pilgrimage
church of Maria im Weingarten
(Mar–Nov: open daily). Idyllically
situated amid vineyards to the0 Prichsenstadt
Bavaria; 97357
With a well-preserved set of defensive
walls and towers rising above vine-
yards to shelter an
intact historic core,
tiny Prichsenstadt is a
gem, its appear ance
to this day reflecting
the urban forms of
the Middle Ages. The
town has a night-
watch man who con-
ducts guided tours (Sat & Sun) that
can be booked from all hotels. Wine
aside, Prichsenstadt is also known for
its asparagus and strawberries.
ª Leave Prichsenstadt on the road
to Volkach from the west gate of
the old town.Sign for a walking circuit, Prichsenstadt8 Schloss Weissenstein
Bavaria; 96178
The Prince-Bishops of both Bamberg
and Würzburg were members of the
Schönborn Dynasty, and the familiy’s
wealth and power are reflec ted in the
splendor of their family seat, Schloss
Weissenstein (Apr–Oct: open daily). The
design was a collaboration between
the Bamberg court architect Johann
Dientzenhofer and the celebrated
Viennese Baroque
master Johann Lukas
von Hildebrandt. The
palace was com pleted
in 1718 and is notable
for the cere mo nial
Treppenhaus (stair case)
and its collec tion of
Old Masters.
ª Return to the B22, following signs
for Steppach and Burgebrach, and
continue along it to Ebrach.CYCLING IN VOLKACHPick up maps of the Mainschleife for
cycling routes from the tourist office in
the town hall (Rathaus, Marktplatz 1,
97332; 09381 401 12).9 Ebrach
Bavaria; 96157
Ebrach sits at the heart of the idyllic
forested Naturpark Steigerwald
(www.steigerwald.org), offering
scope for relaxing country walks.
The village is dominated by the
buildings of a former Cistercian
abbey. The cathe dral-like Klosterkirche
(mid-Apr–Oct: open daily) is an impor-
tant work of the early Gothic period
and has a beauti ful rose window;
the Baroque abbey buildings now
house a prison, but the splendid
Treppenhaus and Kaisersaal (imperial
hall) can still be visited (Apr–Oct:
open daily). Ebrach is an ideal base
for exploring Naturpark Steigerwald,the unspoiled upland landscape
which is notable for its biodiversity.
ª Continue west along the B22
to Neuses am Sand, where there is
a sign for a left turn that leads
to Prichsenstadt.