Pottenstein, Bavaria

Pottenstein is a town in the district of Bayreuth, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated 23 km southwest of Bayreuth, and 26 km east of Forchheim.

Pottenstein
Coat of arms
Location of Pottenstein within Bayreuth district
Pottenstein
Pottenstein
Coordinates: 49°46′20″N 11°24′41″E
CountryGermany
StateBavaria
Admin. regionOberfranken
DistrictBayreuth
Subdivisions32 Ortsteile
Government
 • MayorStefan Frühbeißer
Area
 • Total73.24 km2 (28.28 sq mi)
Elevation
368 m (1,207 ft)
Population
 (2019-12-31)[1]
 • Total5,171
 • Density71/km2 (180/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
91278
Dialling codes09243
Vehicle registrationBT
Websitewww.pottenstein.de

History

During World War II, a subcamp of Flossenbürg concentration camp was located here.[2]

Geography
A panorama of Pottenstein from the east

The city of Pottenstein, altitude 350–614 m AMSL, with its nearly 1,500 inhabitants, is a health-resort in Franconian Switzerland. It nestles at the convergence of the Püttlach, Weihersbach and Haselbrunn valleys surrounded by high cliffs and at the foot of the 1000-year-old castle, which has played an important role throughout the city's history.

Mayors

Since 2002 Stefan Frühbeißer (CWU-UWV) is the mayor of Pottenstein. His predecessor was Dieter Bauernschmitt (CSU), who was in office for 12 years.[3] From 1935-1945 and again from 1953-1972 Hans Dippold was the mayor of Pottenstein. The farmer and restaurant keeper joined already in 1931 the NSDAP.


Tourist attractions

Saint Elisabeth, widow of Ludwig IV, Landgrave of Thuringia, was held hostage within its walls from 1228 to 1229. Many buildings bear her name even today. According to legend, while she was being threatened, the eggs and lard in her basket were transformed into beautiful roses — a local adaptation of the famous Miracle of the roses. Since 2004 there has been a marked walking route through the town, known as the "Elisabeth Route".

The market square, with its statue of Saint Elisabeth, the Catholic Church, shops, restaurants and hotels form the central area of the city. The guestrooms are mostly in the residential areas, in the valleys leading out of the centre of town and in and above the cliffs overlooking the town. Easily reached from all the residential areas is the health centre with its massage department/medical swim therapy department, station for respiratory illnesses in Devil's Cave, the Kneipp facility, the tourist information centre, the park, putting green, tennis courts, Schöngrund Lake with its rowing boats and pedalos, the "summer bobsleigh route". the "Felsenbad" (between the rocks), and golfcourse. There are 450 kilometres of marked paths for walking.

Sons and daughters of the town
  • City Hall in Pottenstein
  • Main Street in Pottenstein
  • Pottenstein Castle
  • Yearly resolution of the Eternal Adoration (The Festival of Lights)

References
  1. "Tabellenblatt "Daten 2", Statistischer Bericht A1200C 202041 Einwohnerzahlen der Gemeinden, Kreise und Regierungsbezirke". Bayerisches Landesamt für Statistik und Datenverarbeitung (in German). July 2020.
  2. Christine O'Keefe. Concentration Camps
  3. Ein Pottensteiner Urgestein feiert seinen 70. bei nordbayern.de, abgerufen am 14. Dezember 2015
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