The best walks and hikes around Döhlau

Interesting work of art on the Saale cycle path, directly on the Saxon Saale river.

The town hall fountain is covered during the winter months, but the figures above it are visible.

The water lily fountain is covered during the winter months.

St. Mary's Church in Hof is an architectural landmark of the old town. After the Reformation, Hof was almost exclusively Protestant for centuries. It was only with its annexation by Bavaria in 1810 and the influx of Catholic officials and workers from Bohemia and the Franconian Forest that a Catholic community was re-established. The growing number of parishioners led to the construction of St. Mary's Church between 1864 and 1877, based on plans by the Regensburg Cathedral architect Vincenz Denzinger. It was built on the site of the former inn "Zur goldenen Sonne" (At the Golden Sun) – the present-day Sonnenplatz (Sun Square) still commemorates this. The church is built in the Neo-Gothic style and, with its artistic unity, forms an imposing conclusion to the old town. Its furnishings are entirely Neo-Gothic and are listed as historical monuments, including the romantic mechanical cone-valve organ. The Steinmeyer organ from 1885 complements the furnishings and underscores the church's musical tradition. St. Mary's is the main Catholic church in Upper Franconia and belongs to the northeasternmost deanery of the Archdiocese of Bamberg. It is also a memorial to Bernhard Lichtenberg, the Blessed Provost of the Cathedral and a martyr under National Socialism. After the opening of the border in 1989, the church once again became a place of cultural exchange with Catholic communities in Plauen and Weida. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Marien_(Hof)

At Oberer Torplatz 1 was the location of Germany's oldest printing house, the Mintzel printing works. Printing in Hof began as early as the 16th century. In 1642, Johann Albrecht Mintzel came to Hof, having founded a printing house in Leipzig in 1625. The Mintzel family operated a printing house, a book publishing house, and, from 1802, a newspaper publishing house in Hof. The last Mintzel died in 1840; his widow married her manager, Carl Hoermann, in 1844, whose descendants ran the business until very recently. https://saechsisch-bayerisches-staedtenetz.de/dokument/Stadtspaziergang_Hof_1480354153_3090.pdf

The water lily fountain in front of St. Mary's Church in Hof is a relatively recent addition to the townscape. Erected in 1987, it blends remarkably harmoniously into its historic surroundings. With its clean lines and three-dimensional water lily leaves, it acts as a tranquil oasis within the urban fabric. The fountain invites visitors to linger: the gentle lapping of the water creates a relaxed atmosphere that enlivens the square without overwhelming it. Its striking contrast with the Gothic architecture of St. Mary's Church lends it a unique effect – a modern element that complements, rather than disrupts, the historic setting. http://www.schwabenmedia.de/Bauwerke/Bayern/Hof-seerosenbrunnen.php?style=styleB

The Town Hall Fountain in Hof is a striking landmark in the heart of Hof's Neustadt district, combining art, local history, and urban life in a compact space. It stands on the north side of the Town Hall, directly on Klosterstraße, just steps from Ludwigstraße and opposite St. Michael's Church. Its central location makes the fountain easy to find, whether on foot through the city center, by bus to the Rathaus (Town Hall) stop on Ludwigstraße, or by car in the adjacent underground parking garage "Am Rathaus" on Karolinenstraße. The Town Hall Fountain was created in 1979 by the sculptor Margarete Wiggen as a bronze sculpture ensemble. Over the years, it has become a popular meeting place for locals and visitors alike and also serves as the starting point for various themed city tours. The fountain is particularly eye-catching in spring when it is traditionally decorated as an Easter fountain. At this time, colorful decorations accentuate the fountain's contours and create vibrant accents against the backdrop of the historic Town Hall facade. Visitors to Hof will find the town hall fountain not only a great photo opportunity, but also a perfect starting point for exploring the surrounding sights and streets at their leisure. https://www.hof-news.de/de/locations/rathausbrunnen-ChIJeVyjd30XoUcRlTyItk9fKKw

Rebuilt after the devastating city fire of 1823, the town hall, with its Biedermeier facades, is a prominent landmark on Ludwigstrasse and a symbol of the city. The new building, begun in 1563, was constructed in the Renaissance style according to the plans of Nikolaus Hofmann from Halle an der Saale, one of the most important architects of the time. He also designed, among other things, the remarkable town hall in Schweinfurt, as well as impressive buildings in Zwickau and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. At that time, Hof's town hall was not solely the seat of the city administration. Rather, it combined several purposes simultaneously: as a marketplace on the ground floor, as a council chamber, courtroom, and torture chamber on the first floor, and as a function room for dances, elegant weddings, and theatrical performances on the second floor. The oriel windows facing what is now Ludwigstrasse were used to proclaim announcements and decrees of the council. https://www.fichtelgebirge.bayern/detail/id=5f802e333e91d003a390ac90