Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab between Castles and Nature

Getting around on foot and by bike

For a short cultural walk, there is the Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab town-centre walk: this easy circular route is 0.5 kilometres long and starts in Neustadt. Its short distance makes it easy to plan as a standalone activity if you prefer a manageable route while exploring the town. If you are travelling with children, you can treat the walk as a distinct, clearly defined activity alongside longer outings.

For cyclists, the Bockl Cycle Path offers a different scale: it runs from Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab to Eslarn along a former railway line and is 52 kilometres long. This makes it very different from the short town-centre walk. These two specific route options help you shape your stay around your preferred level of activity without limiting your day’s plans to just one way of getting around. Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab is also part of the Goldsteig.

Local history and architecture

Several important buildings come together around the historic town square. The Old Castle is a Late Gothic building with architectural history dating back to the 15th century. Its features include a three-storey gabled structure and oriels; a small Baroque garden was laid out behind the castle. Construction of the New Castle began in 1698 and continued until 1702 under Philip Hyacinth of Lobkowicz, based on plans by Antonio della Porta, but it was never completed.

The second floor of the New Lobkowicz Castle houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the castle and the Lobkowicz family. It also covers their nearly 250-year rule in Neustadt/WN and the surrounding area. Guided tours of the Old and New Lobkowicz Castles can be arranged, including information on the castle’s history and ceiling paintings.

The Town and Glass Museum explores the history of glass, the lives of glassmakers and local history; it also covers the Lobkowicz family and Emperor Charles IV. The town museum is housed in a former school dating from the 17th century. After four years of construction work, the building was renovated and given its new purpose as a town museum in 1989. Together, these exhibits cover the town, its glassmaking tradition and its history of rule.

The churches, too, tell different chapters in the town’s history. The Catholic pilgrimage church of St. Felix was built from 1738 to 1746, and its interior was completed in 1765. From there, you can enjoy views across Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab and the surrounding area towards Weiden in der Oberpfalz. St. George’s Parish Church probably dates from the 12th century, was first mentioned in 1340 and was rebuilt in 1737. The pilgrimage church of St. Anna is also located in the Mühlberg district. Part of the late-medieval town wall has survived.

Hilly landscapes and regional dining

The town’s location in the Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park adds a scenic dimension to a stay focused on history. If you would like to combine culture and outdoor activities, there are several options: the short town-centre walk, the 52-kilometre Bockl Cycle Path and Neustadt’s status as part of the Goldsteig. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can decide whether local history or an active trip is more important to you.

Zoigl pubs are also part of the region’s character: this is a traditional form of hospitality typical of the Upper Palatinate Forest. They add a culinary element to the area’s architecture and routes, so your stay need not be limited to sightseeing or sporting activities.

The town overview also includes Püchersreuth, another place in the municipality. Other town pages in the same overview: Weiden In Der Oberpfalz, Vohenstrauß, Grafenwöhr, Kirchendemenreuth, Tännesberg, Windischeschenbach and Eschenbach In Der Oberpfalz.

For the higher-level travel overview: Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.