Serving as the capital of Middle Franconia, Ansbach lies on the banks of the Franconian Rezat in the German state of Bavaria. It was established in the 8th century around a Benedictine monastery and became home to the Margraves of Brandenburg-Ansbach in the 15th century. In the heart of Ansbach is a monumental palace that survived the ravages of the World Wars.
Things to do in Ansbach
For a dose of local history, visit the Markgrafenmuseum, which houses exhibits about life in Ansbach during the Margrave era. Get up close to porcelain objects produced at the Ansbach faience factory and hear the story of Kaspar Hauser, a complex figure who was assassinated here in 1833. The museum also houses displays dedicated to natural history and notable people who have called Ansbach “home”.
One of Ansbach’s most impressive buildings is Margrave's Palace, which was constructed in the 16th century in a style inspired by Viennese Baroque. Its interiors were designed by Leopoldo Retti and include a Rococo-style Hall of Mirrors and a ceiling fresco by Carlo Carlone. Wander through the opulently furnished staterooms and admire the collection of porcelain on display in the Gothic Hall.
Forming part of Margrave’s Palace is the Hofgarten, a Baroque-style garden that was laid out between 1723 and 1750. It features beautifully manicured flower beds and sprawling lawns, as well as an Orangerie designed by Carl Friedrich von Zocha. Each year, the Orangerie hosts the Bachwoche Ansbach, a classical music festival dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach.
Getting around Ansbach
Ansbach is around 45 minutes’ drive from Nuremberg and an hour from Nuremberg Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular trains connect to the Ansbach railway station and buses travel through the city. The centre of Ansbach is compact enough to explore on foot.