The fourth stage leaves the imperial city of Nuremberg on the tracks of the Middle Age “Golden Road” into the lovely valley of Pegnitz. The origins of this route rich in history go back the King Karl IV. He had found it as the connection between Prague and the western part of his kingdom. This later evolved into streets for one of the most important trade routes in Europe. While always remaining close to the river, it wanders through breathtaking landscapes of Frankenalb, past massive fortresses, ornate castles and the half-timbered gems in the towns of Lauf a. d. Pegnitz and Hersbruck. It crosses the main European watershed at Schönlind and winds up in the so-called “Ruhr Region of the Middle Ages”. Iron ore was depleted here in the past and – thanks to the rivers – shipped around the whole world. This formed the rich history of the region, which is still clearly evidenced in Sulzbach-Rosenberg and Amberg.

Highlights:

Historic old town of of Nuremberg - Kaiserburg in Nuremberg - Lauf a. d. Pegnitz with Kaiserburg Castle and the industry museum – Hersbruck with Fackelmann thermal springs and museums – Happurger Badesee – Museum of the historical bath house Pommelsbrunn – Urzeit train station in Hartmannshof – Osterhöhle near Neukirchen b. SR – Sulzbach-Rosenberg with synagogues and school museum – Amberg with city and air museum

Map

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