In Lichtenfels, a typically Franconian old town meets the history of basket-making. The Lichtenfels Basket Market is a regular date to consider when planning your trip: it takes place every year on the third weekend in September. If you are looking for a hotel in Lichtenfels, you can first decide whether the market will be the reason for your visit or whether you would rather explore the old town and basketry culture at another time.

Old Town and Basket Market

The old town of Lichtenfels has retained its Franconian character. The Bamberg Gate and Kronach Gate have been preserved, and parts of the old town wall are still visible. In the 14th century, the town was surrounded by a circular wall with three gate towers. Today, the surviving gates and visible sections of wall offer tangible points of reference as you stroll through the old town.

The Basket Market puts the craft of basket-making in the spotlight over a recurring September weekend. If you are visiting for the event, you can plan your stay around its fixed date. At other times of year, you can explore the connection to basketry culture via the experience trail and the town’s collections.

Basketry Culture Along the Trail

The 14-kilometre Basketry Culture Trail connects Lichtenfels and Michelau along nature-oriented paths through the Main floodplains. The route links two basket-making towns; 23 information boards present the history and traditions of basket-making, the basket industry and the basket trade along the Upper Main. The boards provide an interpretive focus, while the woven art installations along the trail also showcase the craft in artistic forms.

Named stops include a willow labyrinth for children near Oberwallenstadt, a willow shell at the river swimming area and a woven tipi at Ortswiesensee Oberwallenstadt. Other woven art installations add to the trail. The 14-kilometre length is a useful guide when deciding how much time to allow for this route; it does not indicate a specific walking time.

Town Palace and Collections

The Lichtenfels Town Palace houses municipal collections on the history of beer and brewing, the railway and the basket trade. These add other topics in the town’s history to the story of basketry culture. Since exhibition content may change, it is a good idea to check what is currently on display before visiting.

Nature, Cycling and More Destinations

The MainRadweg long-distance cycle route runs right through the old town of Lichtenfels. When planning a cycling trip, it is also important to keep your destination in mind: the summit of Staffelberg near Bad Staffelstein lies within a nature reserve and is not accessible by car or bicycle. It rises 539 metres high and 290 metres above the Main Valley.

Another natural highlight is the Kleinziegenfelder Valley, which is about twelve kilometres long and mostly protected as a nature reserve. Striking rock formations, clear streams, mills, half-timbered villages and distinctive juniper heaths with dry and semi-dry grassland slopes define the valley. If you would like to combine nature and craftsmanship, you can also add the small prospecting site at the Waldfrieden hiking car park to your plans: fossils can be found and chipped free there. Hammers and safety goggles can be borrowed from the Weismain Environmental Education Centre; check the equipment’s availability before your trip.

In Bad Staffelstein, the Obermain Therme has Bavaria’s warmest and most concentrated thermal brine. Public guided tours take place several times a week at Banz Abbey. Since the dates matter for your trip, check them in advance. This lets you plan different interests—town history, a cycling route, natural landscapes, or the spa and a guided tour—separately, without combining them into a single itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Bad Staffelstein, Lichtenfels, Ebensfeld, Burgkunstadt, Michelau in Upper Franconia, Altenkunstadt, Hochstadt am Main, Marktgraitz, Weismain, Marktzeuln, Redwitz an der Rodach, Hochstadt-Marktzeuln.

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