Das Vermächtnis des letzten Ritters

Christian Truchseß von Wetzhausen zu Bettenburg was born in 1755 at Bundorf Castle. During his lifetime, the baron (Freiherr) was known beyond the Haßberge as an elusive yet captivating figure of the Franconian-German "cultured society." But let's start from the beginning. For at first, the life of the baron proceeded just as it was expected of a nobleman at that time. After a "gentleman’s tour" through Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Hungary, he entered the military, in the case of the baron, into Hessian service, where he attained a high position in the local landgrave guard. Unlike his military colleagues, however, he showed great humanistic interest from an early age. In 1789, he finally left the service after twelve years and retired to "his" Bettenburg, of which he had become the owner in 1786 through inheritance division. From that point on, he focused on helping himself as well as his friends and subjects towards a better way of life, following his humanistic vision. Thus, he became a master gardener, art patron, and "king" of his own round table, cherry baron and esteemed pomologist, and, not least due to his virtue, also entered the history books as "the last knight of Franconia," leaving the residents of the Haßberge a diverse legacy that still shapes the land and people today. Tour The circular route begins at the market square of the town of Hofheim, right at the former governor's house of the baron, which is now the local pharmacy and one of the oldest half-timbered houses in the district. Through the "Gossmannsdorfer Gate" of the old city wall, the route then leads towards the distinctive symbol of the Haßberge and the beloved homeland of the baron: the Bettenburg. Passing through the "Manauer Basin," as the flattest incision of the Haßberg mountain range is called, it passes the Bettenburg towards the plateau and the gently rolling heart of the Haßberge. Through a few small towns, the path leads to the picturesque Bundorf, where the Castle of Bundorf, the birthplace of our cherry baron, is also located. It is still inhabited by his descendants, the Truchseß von Wetzhausen. From the next location, Kimmelsbach, the tour then moves into the deep forests towards the Haßberg ridge. Through the idyllic places of Rottenstein, Friesenhausen, and Reckertshausen, it heads back to Hofheim. A tour to the north of the Hofheimer land that contains just about everything that characterizes the Haßberge: gentle hills, deep forests, and plenty of history. Tips and further information Start. Hofheim i. UFr. is recommended as the starting point for this route. Since it is a circular tour, it can be accessed at any point along the route. Refreshment. Refreshments are available along the way in Schweinshaupten and Friesenhausen. Back in Hofheim, there are various gastronomic offers. Please check in advance for the current opening hours on site. Explorer Guide. The digital explorer guide offers plenty of exciting background stories, curious facts, and all sorts of knowledge about the last knight of Franconia.