Merkendorf – Old Town, Cabbage Tradition and Trails

Historic Old Town and Buildings

Merkendorf’s historic old town is enclosed by a town wall measuring around 1,100 metres in length, with three gates and eight towers. The wall’s length, gates and towers give the fortifications a clear structure. The late Gothic town hall shapes the townscape of the market square. The Evangelical Lutheran town church of “Our Lady” is also late Gothic and was built in the last third of the 15th century. Next to the Steingruberhaus is a Baroque garden with a fountain, inviting visitors to linger.

Everyday Life at the Local History Museum

The Merkendorf Local History Museum is located on the first and second floors of the former tithe barn at Marktplatz 4. Its 310 square metres of exhibition space offer insight into what life, living and working were like in a small town of farming burghers. During a tour, visitors can take a seat in an old schoolroom or cobbler’s workshop and look at old toys. The exhibits bring together different aspects of everyday culture in the past: home life, learning, craftsmanship and play. The museum thus complements the architectural history of the old town with a look at daily life.

Cabbage Tradition and Events

Cabbage has been grown in Merkendorf since the 18th century. Cabbage Week offers culinary specialities and a varied programme of events. Check the current Cabbage Week programme before your trip. The Cabbage Festival takes place every year on the third Sunday in September in the district of Heglau, around the Reuter cabbage farm. For this festival, too, it is a good idea to check the current local programme before travelling. Cabbage Week and the Cabbage Festival are two separate events that celebrate Merkendorf’s cabbage-growing tradition.

Walking and Cycling Around Merkendorf

There are numerous signposted hiking trails around Merkendorf. One specifically named route is the “Two-Town Hiking Trail”: it connects the historic small towns of Merkendorf and Wolframs-Eschenbach. This distinguishes the trail from the general selection of hiking routes described around Merkendorf. Signposted cycling routes also lead from Merkendorf, including the Krautland Cycle Route, the Stork Cycle Route and the Carp Cycle Route. When planning, you can first choose between a hike and a bike ride, and use the named routes as a guide when considering the cycling options.

Leisure by the Town Moat

The “Treffpunkt Stadtgraben” adventure playground, with its sculpture mile, is an attraction for visitors of all ages. It adds another local leisure spot to Merkendorf’s historic buildings and surrounding trails.

Campsite Nearby

The campsite at the Weißbachmühle leisure centre is located near Merkendorf, around 600 metres from town. Its meadow, covering around 2,000 square metres, is separated from the bathing pond by trees. Electricity, water and service and disposal stations are available. The site is suitable for children, families, youth groups and supervised group trips.

Discover more destinations: Wassertrüdingen, Adelshofen, Oberdachstetten, Langfurth, Neuendettelsau, Wolframs-Eschenbach, Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, Wilburgstetten.

Return to the main travel overview: Ansbach.