Right on our doorstep
Rimpar is a market town of around 7,600 people right on Würzburg's doorstep, and Maidbronn a quiet district with just over 1,000 people. Step outside the door and you're right in the middle of it, and what there is to discover here has surprising depth.
The following stops are all 5 to 15 minutes' walk away, or a short bike ride. Spend half a day and you'll see the highlights, and come back with a very different idea of "Bavarian countryside".
This is the region's best-kept secret. In the plain monastery church stands the Lamentation Altar by Tilman Riemenschneider, made around 1522 to 1525: one of his late works and his last completed one, famous among art historians worldwide. Here, you can simply walk in, stand in front of it undisturbed for ten minutes, and walk out again. The visit to the region is worth it for this alone.
A former moated castle with roots in the 14th century, extended in the 16th century, once the seat of the knight Wilhelm von Grumbach (1503 to 1567). Today it houses several small museums: archaeology, a historical bakery, traditional costumes, masonry and carpentry crafts, and a crime museum. The inner courtyard is always open: a good spot to read a book.
A modern viewing and shelter pavilion made of concrete, oak and Corten steel on the Kobersberg hill, right in the middle of Rimpar's vineyards, designed by Hofmann Keicher Ring architects from Würzburg. The name comes from the round shape of a squirrel's nest (a "Kobel" in the local dialect). A spectacular view over the Main valley, a popular spot for picnics and sunsets. Every year in late June, the Kobelfest takes place here: a small, cosy summer festival with wine and music.
Two family wineries in Rimpar: both produce Franconian wine in small quantities, and both also pour in their courtyards. At Weingut Franziska Schömig (Weinbergstraße) the focus is on Silvaner in Bocksbeutel bottles, while the Veitsmühle (run by the Schäfer family, a little larger at 6.5 ha) is known for its Rieslings. A call ahead helps, as appointments are often arranged personally.
The closest place to eat, and an easy walk: down Steigstraße and along Mühlhäuser Straße, past the multi-purpose sports hall. A lovely evening walk, especially in summer, when you take it slow on the way back. Run by Nadine and Abéle Melissa, Neapolitan-style pizza, Italian-run. The kitchen stops serving hot food around 9 pm, closed Monday to Wednesday.
Mühlhäuser Straße, 97222 Rimpar-Maidbronn · 0152 38939861 · pizza@la-margherita.eu · la-margherita.eu
In Rimpar, you also have the choice of the Schlossgaststätte at Schloss Grumbach for Franconian classics, the Pizzeria Michelangelo and a döner kebab shop on Bischof-Schmitt-Straße. Opening hours change, so we won't give you a figure here that could be wrong tomorrow. Just give us a quick call, we'll tell you what the locals rate right now and what's open that evening.
The historic village centre has a remarkable density of half-timbered houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. Starting at Schlossplatz, loop through Pleichach-Gasse, Brückengasse and Bauchgasse: walk with your eyes open and you'll spot inscriptions, carved beam ends and old house names everywhere.
Apple blossom in the orchard meadows around Maidbronn. If you're lucky, you'll walk through a sea of pink and white in early May. Walking and cycling routes towards Versbach, Estenfeld and Gramschatz start right outside the door.
The St Peter and Paul parish festival in late June, a summer festival in the castle courtyard, small wine festivals at the wineries. If you prefer it quiet: just head to the Main riverbank in Erlabrunn in the evening, 10 minutes by bike.
Federweisser season (a young, still-fermenting wine, sold only for a few weeks each autumn) at the wineries, farm markets in the surrounding villages, golden beech woods around Rimpar. A wine walk towards Würzburger Stein is especially worthwhile.
An Advent market at the village square in Maidbronn (by St Afra) on the first Advent weekend, Christmas markets in Rimpar on several weekends in December: small, cosy, no crowds of tourists. Mulled wine from the local winemaker.
„Den Riemenschneider-Altar in Maidbronn hatten wir vorher nicht auf dem Schirm. Zehn Minuten zu Fuß vom Haus — und dann steht man vor einem Meisterwerk, ganz allein."
Translated from German“We hadn't had the Riemenschneider altar in Maidbronn on our radar beforehand. Ten minutes on foot from the house, and then you're standing in front of a masterpiece, entirely alone.”
We'll tell you in person at key handover what's really worth it right now, many highlights change with the seasons.