Easy hikes and walks around Thundorf in Unterfranken

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The Knights' Cellar in Thundorf (built in 1528) still bears witness to the history of the former knights' school, where young noblemen from near and far were instructed in religion and the fine arts. The Knights' Cellar opens its doors annually during the Thundorf village Christmas market. The romantic atmosphere contributes to a special experience for visitors.

Thundorf Castle is a moated castle in the center of Thundorf in Lower Franconia, now used as a parish center. After abandoning the fortified site on the hill, the Burgraves of Schaumberg built their residence on the plain around 1600 in the form of a moated castle. This moated castle replaced an earlier structure that was destroyed in the German Peasants' War. E. Titschack assumes that this earlier structure must have been built before 1444, as a document from 1444 distinguishes between a fortified residence and a hilltop castle on the one hand, and the castle and village of Thundorf on the other.[2] He contradicts S. Zeißner, who had assumed a construction date of 1485/90.[3] He points out that, firstly, the lord of the manor, Oskar von Schaumburg, was in Jerusalem around 1485/90, and secondly, that no evidence of a construction company can be found in the approximately 60 building accounts for this period. ... After the Thirty Years' War, the present-day moated castle, originally built in 1600, became the property of the Barons von Rosenburg. From 1749 to 1756, they added a second wing to the northeast side of the castle and renovated the original wing and corner towers. After the von Rosenburg family line died out, the property became the property of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Starting in 1816, the newer wing was converted into the parish church of St. Laurentius under the direction of master builder Büttner. During renovations of the castle and church in the autumn of 1976, remains of walls and wooden posts were discovered. It is unclear whether the remains of the walls are the remnants of a corner tower from a multi-winged structure or the foundations of a defensive tower at the edge of the fortifications. The wooden posts suggest the construction of a structure on marshy ground. In 1976, the church interior was enlarged and a baptistery added using modern concrete construction. The castle grounds include the tithe barn with other outbuildings, as well as a small park containing a half-timbered pavilion. Wikipedia

Especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries, grave monuments were erected in front of the cemetery.

At the edge of the forest stands a bench made of pallets and an image of Mary. From here there is a great view towards Thundorf and Stadtlauringen – the Schweinfurt Uplands.

Fourteen stations in the form of niche superstructures with segmental arched tops and relief depictions, on bases with inscriptions, sandstone

The parish, one of the smallest in the district, can look back on a long history. Lutheran sermons were preached in Thundorf at least as early as 1520. This continued unhindered until 1676, when the rule of Thundorf changed from the Protestant von Schaumberg family to the Catholic von Rosenbach family. The subsequent persecution significantly reduced the size of the congregation, and even today, in times of good ecumenical cooperation, it numbers only about 60 members. The church tower was built in the 15th century. It had a bell tower until 1870. The nave was built south of the tower. There are differing accounts regarding the year of the nave's construction. Some sources cite 1699, while others suggest 1727. The church interior was remodeled in 1848. From 1680 to 1847, the Protestant parsonage was located in the neighboring former knights' school. The church's interior underwent restoration in 1975. In 2001, the pulpit and ambo were restored. During further renovations in 2005 and 2006, the pulpit was repainted and the interior walls were redesigned. At the same time, the church exterior was painted white.

Near the Thundorf cemetery are these beautiful benches offering a great view of Thundorf.