Germany - Bavaria

Coburg Tourist Office

A Karen Brown Recommendation

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All information below is courtesy of "Tourismus Coburg"(Coburg Tourist Office).

Let yourself be charmed by a very special town in North Bavaria. The Upper Franconian town of Coburg is situated between the Upper Main Valley to the south and the Thuringian Forest to the north in what is known as the green heart of Germany. The former seat of the Dukes of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha has a population of roughly 42,000 people, but has a wealth of treasures and architectural monuments that would be befitting of many a larger city. Owing to the fact that there are many castles and palaces in Coburg and its surrounding areas, the town is rightfully located on the so-called Burgenstraße (road of castles). We can thank the former duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha for all these things.

It created links with royal families all over Europe through its wide-spread marriage policy. The most famous marriages being those of Queen Victoria to her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the Swedish King, Gustaf Adolf, which took place in Coburg in 1932. But other famous people have also stayed here in Coburg: Richard Strauss, Hektor Berlioz, Nicolo Paganini, and Franz Liszt all stayed in the Landestheater (State Theatre) at some time; Friedrich Rückert and Jean Paul both lived and worked in the town; Martin Luther, who sought refuge at the Veste for 6 months, preached at St Moriz church; and also Johann Strauß (son) who, due to an affair of the heart, gave up his Austrian citizenship and became a citizen of Coburg.

In his honour, Coburg plays host to the “Johann Strauß music days” and the “Alexander Giradi Music Competition” every two years. Lots of cultural events take place in the town, such as classical and modern music concerts in the theatre or on the Palace Square; Operas, operettas, musicals, ballets, and plays can be seen in the beautiful State Theatre and the Reithalle (former indoor riding arena); organ concerts; Europe’s biggest Samba festival; and the summer jazz festival at Callenberg Castle. And for those who enjoy their food there are restaurants of nearly all categories as well as the “Palace Square Festival”, which is said to be northern Bavaria’s biggest gourmet party. There are also possibilities for wine- and beer-tasting. If you are interested in the Middle Ages then you must visit the small village of Seßlach, which is also called “Rothenburg en miniature”. Seßlach’s “town festival” takes place every August. There’s music, as well as stalls selling the locally-brewed beer, people wearing medieval costumes, and an arts and crafts market – all of which combine to make it a very special event. Coburg is also a centre of the doll- and toy-making industry. Therefore, you will come across several interesting museums, a doll and teddy bear market, as well as the International dolls’ Festival in Neustadt bei Coburg. Rödental is the “home” of the world famous Hummel figurines. In the information centre, you can admire the original drawings by the Franciscan Sister, Maria Innocentia Hummel, and also see the finished product. The spa pool in Bad Rodach is good for your health and will also help you to relax. There are some unique events: The “singing lifeguard” – every Sunday; the “Grand Prix of the singing lifeguards” – every July. And the town of Bad Rodach has a night-watchman, who walks through the town on certain days of the year. He recites poems and is accompanied by a dog and a goose. Come wind, rain or shine, there is a lot to do in Coburg: hiking, cycling (why not cycle the 45kms to Bamberg and then return to Coburg by train), swimming, golf, inline-skating, and much more.

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