Herzogenaurach combines medieval city history with a defining industrial heritage in sports shoe and rolling bearing production. The Dohn Forest, covering around 184 hectares, lies in the west of the city. The inner-city walking tour, the exhibition collection, and the different trails and activities in the forest offer a range of options for your stay.
Old Town and City History
The inner-city walking tour takes you through the medieval old town and lasts about half an hour. Its approximate duration provides a clear timeframe for your visit to the old town and helps you plan it as a separate activity.
The City Museum’s exhibition collection spans three floors and offers insight into the history of the city’s rulers, economy and citizens, as well as its 1,000-year past. A particular focus of the exhibition is the industrial development that made Herzogenaurach a sports shoe metropolis and a centre of the rolling bearing industry. You can also see tools used by cloth makers and original shoes from Herzogenaurach-based sports brands adidas and Puma. The collection brings visitors face to face with specific objects while offering a broad overview of the city’s history and economy.
The City Museum is housed in the former Heilig-Geist-Spital, a late-medieval half-timbered building that was painstakingly restored using historical techniques. The PfrĂĽndnerspital is also a late-medieval half-timbered building and a listed monument of significance beyond the region. On a tour of the City Museum, learn more about the 500-year-old PfrĂĽndnerspital and its former residents.
Trails and Activities in Dohn Forest
Dohn Forest offers a range of activities. The WaldWissenWeg (Forest Knowledge Trail) is partially accessible to strollers and wheelchairs and can be reached from two car parks in just a few minutes on foot. The forest also has a fitness trail with various exercise stations to try out, as well as a Nordic walking trail. A path around Dohn Forest passes mills and carp ponds.
Weekly Market and Regional Flavours
Fresh local and regional products are sold at Herzogenaurach’s weekly market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Examples include fruit and vegetables, Afro-Caribbean snacks and home-brewed beer. Market days may change, so check the dates before your visit. Alongside the city and nature, the market adds a culinary touch to your stay.
More Places to Explore in Erlangen-Höchstadt
In Kalchreuth, a three-kilometre circular trail leads through the cherry orchards. Information boards cover cherries, the surrounding landscape and Kalchreuth, while interactive stations explore nature topics. The trail focuses on cherry-growing culture and nature education, offering a different theme from Herzogenaurach’s city history and industry. Check the route details before you travel. St. Andrew’s Church in Kalchreuth is also home to a famous Passion altarpiece: a shrine altarpiece with wing doors by Michael Wolgemut, one of Dürer’s teachers.
The Spix Museum in Höchstadt is housed in the birthplace of naturalist Johann Baptist Ritter von Spix. Interactive exhibits explore his life and the history of his birthplace. A computer-controlled, light-activated rainforest diorama featuring animal displays and animal sounds is especially recommended for children.
Discover more destinations: Röttenbach, Kalchreuth, Eckental, Marloffstein, Heßdorf, Bubenreuth, Wachenroth, Adelsdorf
View the regional travel overview: Erlangen-Höchstadt.
