Discover Großgressingen: Monastery history and hiking trails

Großgressingen combines a long monastic history with tangible landmarks in the village and hiking trails with different points of interest. Historical traces include the centuries-old connection to the former Cistercian Ebrach Abbey, a former monastery building and a wayside shrine bearing the year 1820.

Monastery history and historic buildings

For many centuries, Großgressingen belonged to Ebrach Abbey and formed part of its extensive estate. The village’s farmers were required to pay tithes to the abbey. Traces of this influence can still be seen in the village’s appearance, its field and ownership patterns, and its local history. The connection to the abbey is therefore not just a historical topic; it also shapes how the village’s traditional structures are understood.

One tangible architectural landmark is the former monastery building, known as the Jägerhaus, at St.-Rochus-Straße 3. It dates from the first half of the 18th century. The church and cemetery at Sankt Rochus date back to 1613: Abbot Hieronymus Höllein had them built after a devastating plague epidemic and dedicated them to the plague saints St. Rochus and Sebastian. Near the church, on Ebracher Weg or St.-Rochus-Straße, stands a wayside shrine depicting the Holy Trinity; it bears the year 1820. These dates point to different chapters in the village’s history, from the plague year of 1613 to the wayside shrine and the 18th-century Jägerhaus.

Hiking trails and views

The Cistercian Trail Ebrach includes a section between Großgressingen and Ebrach. On the Monastery Landscape Trail, there are expansive views over the Steigerwald heights between Sankt Rochus and Winkelhof. The trail descriptions focus on different features: the Cistercian Trail identifies the section between the two villages, while the Monastery Landscape Trail highlights the views over the heights. When planning, you can choose according to whether you are more interested in the route between Großgressingen and Ebrach or in views of the landscape.

The forest festival of the Steigerwaldmusikanten Ebrach-Großgressingen is also part of the events held at Sankt Rochus near Ebrach. It has been held annually on the first Sunday in July for over 30 years. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the date in advance.

Additional destinations in Ebrach

Ebrach Abbey was founded in 1127 in the Middle Ebrachtal valley. The former abbey complex includes the abbey church, the Imperial Hall, an opulent Baroque staircase and well-maintained gardens. For groups of ten or more, the Ebrach administrative community offers a “complete package” tour of the abbey church, Imperial Hall and staircase. A guided tour of the Museum of Ebrach History is also available for groups of ten or more.

The permanent exhibition “Wild Beech Forests” in Ebrach includes a forest diorama, amphibian models, a forest-floor tunnel for children and a digital information table. Ebrach Abbey is open from April to October, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm. Check the opening times before your visit; also check the latest visitor information for the exhibition before setting out.

There are well-signposted circular hiking and cycling trails around Ebrach, with views of Ebrach and the valleys of the Steigerwald. Bus routes 990 and 991 run from Bamberg train station to Ebrach. Route 990, the Steigerwald Express, operates from May 1 to November 1. Check the current connections with the transport operator before planning your journey.

Another destination in Ebrach is the AcquaSana natural swimming pool. It was built as a conventional outdoor pool in 1933 and has been a natural swimming pool since 2005, with no chemicals used. The facilities include a 33 × 18-metre pool with seven lanes, a 27 × 18-metre non-swimmer pool, a stream for small children and an original waterslide. Check the latest operating information before visiting.

When choosing where to stay, you can decide whether the local history and named trails in Großgressingen are your main focus, or whether you would also like to include the cultural and natural attractions explicitly located in Ebrach in your plans.

For the overarching travel guide: Ebrach.