The cultural route takes us around Hof through the Bavarian Vogtland, also known as the Regnitzland.
The Bavarian Vogtland is comparatively rich in sacred mural paintings. Two art historically important churches can be found west of Hof in Bad Steben and Schauenstein, where this stage begins.
Excursions are also worthwhile in the Berger Winkel on the Bavarian-Thuringian border with the Lichtenberg castle ruins, Rudolphstein castle and the Jakob church Berg.
Kirchgattendorf and Schlossgattendorf are two locations that were not insignificant for the history of the Vogts in the Regnitzland. The lords of Sparneck ruled here, relatives of the Sparnbergers, recognizable by the spar in their coat of arms.
Via Rehau, Pilgramsreuth and Fö rbau the route leads to their ancestral seat Sparneck. In 1202 they built a castle here and later founded a Carmelite monastery. Although neither building has been preserved, the St. Vitus church testifies to this period. In the northeastern choir wall there is a stone sacrament house from the early days of the monastery.
The stage finds its fitting conclusion with hikes on the Großer Waldstein and to the castle ruins Epprechtstein and Thierstein, from where you can enjoy views over the Regnitzland and the Fichtel Mountains.
A visit to the Waldsassen Monastery is recommended. Via Oberkotzau we return to Hof.
