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Franconia facts for kids

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Nuernberg Burg Panorama PtGUI
Nuremberg Castle

Franconia (in German: Franken) is a special part of Bavaria, a big state in Germany. It's located in the northern part of Bavaria and has its own unique history and culture. Franconia is divided into three smaller areas: Upper Franconia (Oberfranken), Middle Franconia (Mittelfranken), and Lower Franconia (Unterfranken). The largest city in Franconia is Nuremberg.

Other important cities in Franconia include Coburg, Aschaffenburg, Würzburg, Erlangen, Fürth, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Schweinfurt, and Hof.

Geography and Nature

Franconia is a beautiful region with diverse landscapes. You can find rolling hills, thick forests, and lovely river valleys here.

Rivers and Lakes

Several important rivers flow through Franconia, like the Main, Regnitz, and Altmühl. These rivers have shaped the land and are often used for boating and other fun activities. Franconia also has some nice lakes, such as the Großer Brombachsee, which is a popular spot for swimming and water sports.

Natural Parks and Forests

The region is home to several natural parks, offering great opportunities for hiking and exploring. The Franconian Switzerland (Fränkische Schweiz) is famous for its unique rock formations and caves, making it a favorite for climbers and adventurers. Other important forest areas include the Spessart and the Steigerwald.

History of Franconia

Franconia has a long and interesting history, dating back thousands of years.

Early Times

Long ago, the Celts lived in this area. They built strong fortresses, like the one on the Staffelberg. Later, the Romans also had a presence here, building camps and roads, such as the Biriciana camp near Weißenburg. After the Romans, Germanic tribes settled in the region.

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, Franconia became an important duchy within the Holy Roman Empire. Many powerful castles and impressive churches were built during this time. Cities like Nuremberg and Würzburg grew into major centers of trade and culture. You can still see many medieval buildings today, like the Nuremberg Castle and the Marienberg Fortress in Würzburg.

Modern Era

Franconia experienced many changes over the centuries, including wars and political shifts. In the early 1800s, most of Franconia became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Despite this, the region has kept its unique Franconian identity and traditions.

Culture and Traditions

Franconia is known for its rich culture, friendly people, and delicious food and drinks.

Food and Drink

Franconian cuisine is hearty and tasty. Famous dishes include Schäuferla (roasted pork shoulder) and the small, flavorful Nuremberger Bratwürste. Franconia is also well-known for its beer, especially its unique Rauchbier (smoked beer), and its wine, which is often sold in special flat bottles called Bocksbeutels. Fried Carp is another popular dish, especially in the colder months.

Festivals and Events

Throughout the year, Franconia hosts many traditional festivals. These often include folk music, dancing, and local food. Christmas markets in cities like Nuremberg are also very famous and attract visitors from all over the world.

Famous Places and Attractions

Franconia offers many exciting places to visit.

Nuremberg

Nuremberg is the largest city and a historical gem. Its impressive castle, medieval old town, and famous Christmas market make it a top destination. The city also has many museums where you can learn about its past.

Würzburg

Würzburg is known for its beautiful Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Marienberg Fortress overlooking the city. It's also a major center for Franconian wine.

Bamberg

Bamberg is another UNESCO World Heritage city, famous for its unique Old Town Hall built in the middle of a river, and its many breweries.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a perfectly preserved medieval town, often called the "Jewel of the Middle Ages." Its charming streets, old walls, and towers make it feel like stepping back in time.

Images for kids

  • Marienberg wuerzburg

    Marienberg Fortress in Würzburg

  • Franconia details

    The present-day Upper, Lower and Middle Franconian administrative districts (in blue), with adjacent East Franconian language areas in Thuringia (tan) and in Baden-Württemberg (yellow)

  • Sakristei-Mgn

    The Franconian Rake may be used as an indicator of whether a place is part of Franconia. Here: the vestry of Meiningen's municipal church in South Thuringia. The Franconian Rake may be seen on the left

  • Brombach luft

    The lake of Großer Brombachsee. View over Ramsberg looking east towards the dam

  • Steinerne Rinne

    The Steinerne Rinne near Rohrbach, Ettenstatt, county of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen

  • Grube Wilhelmine 4

    Opened-up, copper-ore-bearing, Spessart crystalline rock in Sommerkahl near Aschaffenburg

  • Seltenbachschlucht

    Fine sandstone, siltstone and argillites of the bunter sandstone layer (Lower Triassic) in the Seltenbach Gorge in the Spessart

  • Judenhof+Turmkarst Tüchersfeld

    Tower-like rocks of Upper Jurassic-Corallian Limestone in Tüchersfeld, northern Franconian Jura (Franconian Switzerland)

  • Plateosaurus skull

    Skull and forward cervical spine of Plateosaurus engelhardti, probably the replica of a skeleton from Ellingen

  • Archaeopteryx lithographica, replica of London specimen, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Germany - 20100925

    The so-called London Exemplar of Archaeopteryx (here a replica) comes from the Langenaltheim Quarry, west of Solnhofen.

  • Staffelberg 2006-05-07

    The Celts built the mighty fortress of Menosgada on the Staffelberg

  • Weißenburg Porta decumana1

    A 1990 replica of the Porta decumana of the Biriciana. View over the camp ring road

  • Grave Westheim

    Franconian warrior's grave goods from the early mediaeval burial site of Westheim

  • Franken-um-800

    Duchy of Franconia around 800

  • Franken um 1250

    Franconia around 1200

  • Karte bauernkrieg3

    Extent of the uprisings in the Peasants' War

  • Trexelplan 1632

    Part of Wallenstein's camp around Zirndorf and the Alte Veste

  • FRK 1789 en

    The Franconian Imperial Circle in 1789

  • Heilbronn 1945 US Army retouched-2

    Destruction in Heilbronn in 1945

  • Karl Emil Otto Fritsch-Denkmaeler Deutscher Renaissance-1891-Nuernberg-Pellerhaus zu Nuernberg Aegidienplatz 1605 Facade

    The Pellerhaus in Nuremberg was one of the most important buildings of the Renaissance period from 1605 until the destruction of its façade in 1945.

  • Zusammensetzung des Landkreises Ansbach

    The administrative reform in Bavaria in the Franconian county of Ansbach

  • Ostfraenkischer Sprachraum

    Distribution of the East Franconian dialects with transition zones

  • Rothenburg BW 4

    One of the best known tourist attractions in Franconia is the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

  • Schlosslangenburgmsu

    Schloss Langenburg (Baden-Württemberg) lies on the Castle Road

  • Rothenburg BW 4

    Rothenburg is one of the best known towns in Franconia

  • Walberla 2008

    Walberla in Franconia

  • Möhrendorf Vierzigmannrad Flügel

    Water wheel at the Regnitz

  • Nuremberg panorama morning 3

    Nuremberg is the largest city of Franconia

  • Aerial image of the Coburg Fortress

    Aerial view of the Veste Coburg

  • Nuernberg Drei im Weckla 001

    Three Nuremberger Bratwürste in a roll (Drei im Weckla)

  • GravityTap

    Schlenkerla Rauchbier straight from the cask

  • Bocksbeutels

    Franconian wine is traditionally filled up in Bocksbeutels

  • Kroder Karpfen

    Fried Carp with beer and salad

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Franconia para niños

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