Pottenstein
Encyclopedia
Pottenstein is a town in the district of Bayreuth
, in Bavaria
, Germany
. It is situated 23 km southwest of Bayreuth, and 26 km east of Forchheim
.
, a subcamp of Flossenburg concentration camp
was located here.
. It nestles at the convergence of the Püttlach, Weihersbach and Haselbrunn valleys surrounded by high cliffs and at the foot of the 1000-year-old castle, which has played an important role throughout the city's history. The scenic landscape and nature offer a wide spectrum along with unique features such as the Devil's cave with its fascinating stalactites and stalagmites.
, widow of Ludwig IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, was held hostage within its walls from 1228 to 1229. Many buildings bear her name even today. According to legend, while she was being threatened, the eggs and lard in her basket were transformed into beautiful roses — a local adaptation of the famous Miracle of the roses
. Since 2004 there has been a very nice marked walking route through the town, known as the "Elisabeth Route".
The market square, with its statue of Saint Elisabeth, the Catholic Church, many shops, restaurants and hotels form the central area of the city. The guestrooms are mostly in the residential areas, in the valleys leading out of the centre of town and in and above the cliffs overlooking the town. The health centre with its message department /Medical Swim Therapy Department (approved by all health insurance companies), the Therapy Station for Respiratory Illnesses in Devil's Cave, the Kneipp facility, the Tourist Information Centre, the park, putting green, tennis courts, Schöngrund Lake with its rowing boats and pedalos, the "summer bobsleigh route". the "Felsenbad" (between the rocks), golfcourse, kangaroos and many more, are among the recreational facilities that are easily reached from all the residential areas. Approximately 450 kilometres of well marked paths offer excellent possibilities for walking.
Bayreuth (district)
Bayreuth is a district in Bavaria, Germany. It surrounds, but does not include the city of Bayreuth. The district is bounded by the districts of Kulmbach, Hof, Wunsiedel, Tirschenreuth, Neustadt/Waldnaab, Amberg-Sulzbach, Nürnberger Land, Forchheim and Bamberg.-History:The district was established...
, in Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It is situated 23 km southwest of Bayreuth, and 26 km east of Forchheim
Forchheim
Forchheim may refer to the following places in Germany:*Forchheim, capital of the district of Forchheim, Bavaria*Forchheim am Kaiserstuhl, a municipality in Baden-Württemberg*Forchheim , part of Rheinstetten, Baden-Württemberg...
.
History
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a subcamp of Flossenburg concentration camp
Flossenbürg concentration camp
Konzentrationslager Flossenbürg was a Nazi concentration camp built in May 1938 by the Schutzstaffel Economic-Administrative Main Office at Flossenbürg, in the Oberpfalz region of Bavaria, Germany, near the border with Czechoslovakia. Until its liberation in April 1945, more than 96,000 prisoners...
was located here.
Geography
The city of Pottenstein, altitude 350–614 m AMSL, with its nearly 1,500 inhabitants, is a nationally acclaimed climatic health-resort in Franconian SwitzerlandFranconian Switzerland
The Little Switzerland is an upland in Upper Franconia, northern Bavaria and a popular tourist retreat. Located between the Pegnitz River in the east and the south, the Regnitz River in the west and the Main River in the north, its relief reaches 600 metres in height.The Franconian Switzerland is...
. It nestles at the convergence of the Püttlach, Weihersbach and Haselbrunn valleys surrounded by high cliffs and at the foot of the 1000-year-old castle, which has played an important role throughout the city's history. The scenic landscape and nature offer a wide spectrum along with unique features such as the Devil's cave with its fascinating stalactites and stalagmites.
Tourist attractions
Saint ElisabethElisabeth of Hungary
Elizabeth of Hungary, T.O.S.F., was a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary, Countess of Thuringia, Germany and a greatly-venerated Catholic saint. Elizabeth was married at the age of 14, and widowed at 20. She then became one of the first members of the newly-founded Third Order of St. Francis,...
, widow of Ludwig IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, was held hostage within its walls from 1228 to 1229. Many buildings bear her name even today. According to legend, while she was being threatened, the eggs and lard in her basket were transformed into beautiful roses — a local adaptation of the famous Miracle of the roses
Miracle of the roses
The miracle of the roses is a Catholic miracle in which roses announce the presence or activity of God . Such a miracle is presented in various hagiographies and legends in different forms, and it occurs in connection with diverse characters such as St. Elisabeth of Hungary , St...
. Since 2004 there has been a very nice marked walking route through the town, known as the "Elisabeth Route".
The market square, with its statue of Saint Elisabeth, the Catholic Church, many shops, restaurants and hotels form the central area of the city. The guestrooms are mostly in the residential areas, in the valleys leading out of the centre of town and in and above the cliffs overlooking the town. The health centre with its message department /Medical Swim Therapy Department (approved by all health insurance companies), the Therapy Station for Respiratory Illnesses in Devil's Cave, the Kneipp facility, the Tourist Information Centre, the park, putting green, tennis courts, Schöngrund Lake with its rowing boats and pedalos, the "summer bobsleigh route". the "Felsenbad" (between the rocks), golfcourse, kangaroos and many more, are among the recreational facilities that are easily reached from all the residential areas. Approximately 450 kilometres of well marked paths offer excellent possibilities for walking.