Hilpoltstein: Residence, Town History and Medieval Festival

If you’re looking for a hotel in Hilpoltstein, you can make your reason for travelling the starting point: architectural and town history, the Medieval Festival in May or a train journey each offer a different focus. A specific festival date can influence your choice of travel dates; a cultural stay raises different questions than continuing your journey by train. The wider Roth travel destination also offers its own excursions and route options.

Residence and Town History

Hilpoltstein Residence was built by Count Palatine Johann Friedrich between 1618 and 1626. Its features include elaborate stucco work by the Kuhn brothers. The building period and features provide a specific historical point of reference if you are interested in the town’s history and architecture.

The Hilpoltstein Town Museum is located in the rear building of the brewery inn of the same name, “Schwarzes Roß.” The museum includes collections on the town’s history and part of the preserved covered walkway along the town fortifications. It also displays remains of one of Bavaria’s oldest breweries. The museum brings together the town’s history, a preserved element of its fortifications and the history of brewing. The museum is currently closed for renovation work. Check whether it has reopened before planning a visit.

The parish church of St. John the Baptist in Hilpoltstein lies on the Nuremberg–Eichstätt Way of St. James. A statue of St. James stands by its steps. For pilgrims, the church is a named point of reference in Hilpoltstein; the statue directly reflects the Way of St. James theme at the church.

The Medieval Festival in May

The Medieval Festival “Knights, Bards and Pickpockets” takes place every May in Hilpoltstein. Admission is free. The program includes music, entertainers, a market, camp life and taverns. If you’d like to plan your trip around the festival, check the specific event dates before making arrangements. This recurring event offers a different reason to travel than the historic buildings, which can be viewed year-round: the focus here is on a May date and a set program of events.

Train Connections and Excursions in the Roth Travel Destination

Today, the Gredl runs only between Roth and Hilpoltstein, using modern trains. For travel planning, the connection between these two places is the relevant section of the route; no frequency or specific departure time is implied. Check train services before you travel.

The 210-hectare Rothsee lies between Roth, Hilpoltstein and Allersberg within the wider Roth travel destination. It is therefore a geographical point of reference for a destination that extends beyond Hilpoltstein. Another regional connection is the Gredl-Express 636: this leisure service runs from Hilpoltstein via Thalmässing and Greding to Kinding and back. Along the route, it passes numerous attractions in the Roth district, including half-timbered villages, Baroque and Rococo buildings, and museums with archaeological finds. As the route may change seasonally, check current services before travelling.

The “RH hoch 2” cycling loop is also part of the wider Roth travel destination. It follows the district boundaries and circumnavigates the entire district over more than 200 kilometres. This makes it a long-distance cycling tour and a distinct travel option alongside Hilpoltstein’s specific historic sites and train connection. The DATEV Challenge Roth, a regular summer-season triathlon, is also held in the Roth district. If attending this event is important to your trip, check its dates separately.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Spalt, Roth near Nuremberg, Rohr, Schwabach, Wendelstein, Heideck, Georgensgmünd, Allersberg

View the wider travel overview: Roth.