Aschaffenburg stands on the banks of the River Main in the north-west regions of the Federal State of Bavaria, in south-western Germany. This city of almost 70,000 residents is located, just 40 kilometres south-east of Frankfurt, the proximity of which has aided the economic development of the city as has the Port of Aschaffenburg, which is the largest inland port on the Bavarian part of the River Main. Known as the ‘Gateway to the Spessart’, Aschaffenburg stands at the western edge of the Spessart National Park, Germany’s largest contiguous forest area, and the beautiful Spessart Mountains one of the country’s highland areas.
Standing on the eastern bank of the River Main is the beautiful and historic Altstadt, the oldest section of the city. It is here, amongst the narrow cobbled streets and all within walking distance that the major tourist attractions stand such as the Stiftsbasilika of St Peter and Alexander and the Schloss Johannisburg with its Schlossgarten. Aschaffenburg is also well known for its parks and gardens especially the Schonbusch Park, Germany’s first classic landscaped garden created in 1776. The park is located approximately 3 kilometres from the Altstadt, and includes a lake and the small Schonbusch Manor.
The city’s landmark is the huge, red-sandstone Renaissance castle, the early 17th century Schloss Johannisburg, which today houses the rooms of the Archbishop’s Court, the town’s museum, the old library and the State Gallery. The State Gallery maintains Bavaria’s largest art collection and includes early engravings and paintings, and the world’s largest collection of cork models of well known historic buildings. In the east tower of the Schloss there is a 48 bell Carillon glockenspiel which can be heard three times a day. From the Schlossgarten a short walk to the north will take you to the interesting Pompejanum, a replica of the House of Castor and Pollux discovered among the ruins of Pompeii. The replica was commissioned by Bavaria’s King Ludwig I and built in 1850. Below the Pompejanum is the oldest vineyard in Aschaffenburg. The Stiftsbasilika is the oldest building in the city and was founded in the 10th century with the bulk of the building dating from the 12th century. Standing adjacent to the church is the Stiftsmuseum which displays objects from the Roman and Dark Ages, plus many ecclesiastical artifacts. Wandering around the narrow streets of the Altstadt you will come across many photogenic old houses and mansions which many years ago were built by rich merchants and nobility, the Jesuit Church and the Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary, the Stadtheater, one of the most beautiful in southern Germany, and in the Theatreplatz the great sundial!!
Home to a small university, cinema and theatres, a great selection of shops including the largest shopping mall in Northern Bavaria, plus 16 bars and pubs to choose from, makes entertaining yourself in Aschaffenburg quite easy. Weekly fairs and festivals are held in the squares in addition to the traditional season festivals, means that any trip to the city can be filled with daytime and night time activities!!
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