More than 1250 years of ever-changing history have left indelible marks in Ansbach: baroque facades, hidden renaissance-style courtyards, the two impressive churches of St. Johannis and St. Gumbertus, the Court Garden with the Orangerie and the Margrave Residence.

The charming town centre invites the visitor to an easy stroll to discover and explore its most beautiful corners and areas. The former court church of St. Gumbertus makes a lasting impression, both outside and in, with its protestant simplicity and the imposing organ-front. A walk in the Hofgarten – or court garden – is relaxing at any time of year, but is at its most impressive in summer, when the grass terraces in front of the Orangerie are planted out in baroque-style.

One should by no means miss the guided tours of the Margrave Residence, where life at court in the 18^th Century can be vividly imagined when walking through the 27 majestic rooms: everything still in its original state; the wall hangings and curtains, the furniture, the fashionable accessories of the time, the ceiling and wall adornments, the crystal chandeliers and the porcelain china.

The Magrave-Museum documents not only the pre- and early history of Ansbach, but also the Margrave times, the 19^th Century and, in a perfectly prepared Kaspar-Hauser section, the life of that mysterious foundling who was murdered in Ansbach.

Rococo Festival

Ansbach Christmas Market

Bach Festival Week

Cultural Events

The International Guitar Concerts bring virtuosos of world renown to the stylish surroundings of the Ansbach concert halls. The Prince’s Court of the 18^th Century comes back to life during the Rococo Festival (www.rokoko-festspiele.de) in front of the backdrop of the Orangerie, rustic celebrations take place in the alleys and squares during the Old Town Festival or in the beer tents at the Ansbacher Kirchweih Fair. The Ansbach Open, an Open-Air Festival in the Martin-Luther Square in July or August, with pop concerts, cabaret or classics, is very popular with the young and young at heart.

The highlight of the year for gourmets and food-lovers are the Culinary Festivals in October. Under the headline ""from historic cookbooks"", creative chefs in a variety of restaurants delve into old cookbooks for interesting recipes that can be modified to suit the present-day taste, pampering their guests in unexpected ways. Those who like a good book and other ""bookworms"" are in their element in November during the literature series "LesArt", where they can get new input, or even meet their favourite author during a personal reading. The event cycle is rounded off at the end of the year by the Ansbach Christmas Market. The smell of mulled wine, gingerbread and Bratwurst sausages tempt one to tarry and taste in the shadow of the two large churches.

The Bach Festival Week (www.bachwoche.de), which takes place every two years (odd numbers), delights audiences from all over the world with internationally renowned artistes performing the masterful melodies of Johann Sebastian Bach. The Kaspar-Hauser Festival (even numbered years) views the life of this foundling from all facets. Theatre plays, exhibitions, performances and dance draw a fan community together to learn more of the fate of Kaspar Hauser through a diversity of expressive methods.

Continuous cultural events with regular concerts and theatre performances are offered at the "Kultur am Schloss" (Culture at the Palace) Institution. The section Performing Arts, Cabaret, Film and Avant Garde Concerts is filled from the extensive programme of the largest cultural association in Bavaria - the "Ansbacher Kammerspiele", or Ansbach Theatre Society.