Reichenschwand lies in the wide Pegnitz Valley. Its medieval town center, castle history, a chair collection and opportunities for outdoor activities give the town a distinctive character. The surrounding Nuremberg Land also offers destinations that extend your exploration beyond Reichenschwand.

The Pegnitz Valley and Castle History

Reichenschwand, including the districts of Oberndorf and Leuzenberg, lies in the wide Pegnitz Valley. The medieval town center stretches about 400 meters from north to south, right up to the river. On the opposite bank of the Pegnitz, across from Reichenschwand’s old town, is the site of the former moated castle of the Lords of Strahlenfels. The two riverbanks offer different clues to the town’s history.

A renovation of Reichenschwand Castle by Stansky in 1832 is documented. It is the only castle in the Nuremberg Land that has been preserved in the Neo-Gothic style. Both the specific year and the architectural classification are defining features of local architectural history.

Reichenschwand Castle is part of the Dormero Schloßhotel Reichenschwand and can be rented for all kinds of celebrations. If you are planning an event there, confirm the details directly with the venue.

Chair Collection and Activities in Town

The SAMMLUNG WERNER LÖFFLER in Reichenschwand brings together more than 1,300 unique, authentic chairs spanning three centuries. Werner Löffler has been assembling the collection since 1987. Visits are possible by appointment. This is important to bear in mind when planning your visit: arrange a time in advance rather than assuming you can visit spontaneously.

The playground with skate park at the Am Anger sports grounds includes a large skating area with various ramps. In winter, the skate park can be used as an ice-skating rink. The site’s use therefore changes with the seasons. Check local conditions before your visit.

Another way to explore Reichenschwand actively is the Pegnitz Terraces Tour. It starts in town and, after crossing the B14, passes an oak grove belonging to Reichenschwand Castle. The route and the oak grove provide a clear link between outdoor activity and an element of the castle’s history. Check route conditions before setting out.

More Destinations in the Nuremberg Land

The Nuremberg Land is part of the Franconian Switzerland–Franconian Jura Nature Park. More than 3,000 kilometers of well-marked hiking trails and well-developed cycling routes of varying difficulty run through the Nuremberg Land. The “Hohenstein (634 m) – SevenSummits” route in Kirchensittenbach offers specific figures to help you choose a hike: it is 10.1 kilometers long, with an ascent of 406 meters and a descent of 397 meters.

The Franconian Dune Trail offers a different kind of scenery, leading through sandstone gorges, sand dunes and shady forests. The “Hochberg (619 m) – SevenSummits” route runs through the forests around Pommelsbrunn; its highlight is the “Acropolis of the Celts” on Hochberg. The Nuremberg Land thus offers a variety of landscapes and routes, but these trails should not be mistaken for activities located directly in Reichenschwand.

Cultural and natural attractions are also part of the wider region: the German Shepherds’ Museum in Hersbruck displays clothing, tools and handicrafts made by shepherds from around the world. Wengleinpark in Pommelsbrunn is a nature reserve founded in 1930 by Carl Wenglein. In the Bitterbach Gorge near Lauf an der Pegnitz, you’ll find steep, partly undercut walls, rocks overgrown with moss and ferns, deep crevices and holes, and small waterfalls.

For a different kind of visit, the Fackelmann Therme Hersbruck offers officially recognized therapeutic water and a sauna area with seven saunas. The thermal baths are accessible; elevators lead to the foyer and the thermal baths, and from there to the sports and leisure pool and the sauna park. These regional attractions complement Reichenschwand’s local history and activities with other distinct experiences in the Nuremberg Land.

Discover more destinations: Hersbruck, Altdorf near Nuremberg, Winkelhaid, Fischbach, Schnaittach, Simmelsdorf, Nuremberg, Schwaig near Nuremberg

See the regional travel overview: Nuremberg Land.