The best running trails around Aufseß

Always worth a visit.

An absolute highlight for history and photography enthusiasts in the Wiesenttal is the historic mill in the Nankendorf district of Waischenfeld. First documented in 1539, the striking building is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Franconian Switzerland. The current appearance as a long sandstone and half-timbered building with a hipped roof essentially dates back to 1800 and has been proudly owned by the Sebald family for centuries. Anyone standing on the idyllic riverbank today can admire the impressive undershot water wheel, which until 1992 still ground grain and today generates environmentally friendly green electricity. A closer look at the southern corner of the house also reveals historical flood marks, testifying to the dramatic water levels of past times. After extensive renovation in recent years, the owner family plans to make the fascinating historical mill technology inside accessible to the public in the long term as a small mill museum, making the place a perfect stopover on any discovery tour.

simply beautiful the Holzmanschgerl

The over three-meter-high statue of Saint Nepomuk, which has stood next to the town bridge near the old brewery since 1715 and, according to well-known legends, is supposed to protect the bridge from misfortune. "Jo­hannes Nepomuk, defender of honor, pray for us and our city," is the translated inscription, which probably refers to an event that Waischenfeld only recently celebrated again two years ago: in 1715 it was exactly 400 years since the town was elevated to "city"; in 2015 it was a round 700 years. The assumption is underlined by an alliance coat of arms that is barely visible today, which is engraved in the base of the figure. It shows the lions of the Hochstift Bamberg coat of arms on the left, to which Waischenfeld belonged for over 400 years, and the coat of arms of the town of Waischenfeld on the right: a crowned man. Whether this is supposed to be the diocese founder Emperor Heinrich or King Ludwig, who granted the town rights in 1315, is still debated by scholars. Art experts are certain that it is a figure by the Waischenfeld master mason and stonemason Johann Schwesner.

It is pointless to speculate which of the numerous saints venerated in the Catholic (and partly also in the Protestant) Church holds the highest place in the hearts of children: Is it Saint Martin (Bishop of Tours), under whose venerable patronage this church is placed, who served as a soldier in the Roman army before his calling; and whose generous sharing of his cloak with the poor beggar is still commemorated today in lantern processions on his feast day (November 11). Or perhaps it is rather Saint Nicholas (Bishop of Myra), who, as is well known, bestows gifts upon good children during the Advent season on the eve of his feast day (December 6).

The present-day Baroque church of St. Martinus in Nankendorf was built between 1746 and 1748, and its 42-meter-high steeple towers over the small village. It is no longer possible to say with certainty how many church buildings stood in Nankendorf before this time. However, the parish of Nankendorf is one of the oldest in Upper Franconia and existed even before the founding of the Diocese of Bamberg in 1007. The patron saint of the parish church is St. Martin (Martinus). St. James was added as a second patron saint later. The highlight of the liturgical year is the "Perpetual Adoration" at the end of the year, followed by a candlelight procession. Bengal lights, wax candles, and wood fires illuminate the surrounding slopes and rocks. The houses are decorated with candles, and the waters of the Wiesent River are lit.

The Kunigundenbrunnen in Waischenfeld is a charmingly designed fountain complex on the Wiesent river, located directly next to the historic, former communal brewery. From a historical perspective, however, the current name is a modern invention: It is actually the old Johannesbrunnen, named after the figure of St. John of Nepomuk erected there in 1715, who traditionally serves as a bridge saint to protect against floods. In the course of a modern square renovation, the complex was relocated, renamed, and artistically enhanced with a female figure who symbolically washes laundry at the edge of the fountain. Today, the square around the fountain is a popular and idyllic meeting place for hikers and locals right on the riverbank.

The old water supply in Nankendorf was renovated in 2009.