Hüttenheim Church Fortress

Originally there was a knight's castle of the Teutonic Order near Hüttenheim. The knights offered protection and in case of danger the villagers could retreat behind the bow walls. However, when the castle was abandoned in the 14th century, the residents had to find a new solution.

It was decided to expand the church with fortifications and gaden. Gaden are barns and storage rooms in which supplies, livestock and people could be brought to safety. As the village grew, the fortified church was expanded further and further. Today the church is still surrounded by an almost five meter high defensive wall and almost all of the gaden are still there.

In Franconia you can visit numerous fortified churches, because the region has been repeatedly ravaged by armed conflicts. While the rich cities protected themselves from attackers with massive city walls, the churches in many villages were turned into fortified churches.

The fortified church has a nice restaurant with a beer garden.