The Green Pavilion
In 1884 a new vantage point was created on the rocky cliffs over Bad Berneck. “Anyone who is scared of heights will not venture to lean over the iron railing,” warned a contemporary writer. The Green Pavilion, made of iron, is an Art Nouveau design, built around 1900. At that time it was seen as very modern and sophisticated. Today, the trees have grown so high that the once stunning views are impeded.
Under the Green Pavilion is the “Singer’s Square.” This clearing in the forest is still maintained by the oldest club in the town, the Choral Society Berneck, established in 1835. Slightly further up the path from the pavilion is a distinctive vantage point on the Rother rocks. Still further along there is an observation tower, the Hohe Warte, a 15m high wooden tower constructed in 1975.
The Upper Franconian artist Hans Dollhopf, …
… who celebrated his 90th birthday in 2014, is actually a musician – but is also known as a draftsman and caricaturist. In hundreds of ink drawings he has captured scenes from his region and added humorous comments and plays on words.
He has drawn the observation tower Hohe Warte; the poem accompanying it describes how he lost his way trying to meet his sweetheart, ending up on one of the other hills of Berneck.
The second drawing shows walking path signs of the region.
The signage of walking paths in Bad Berneck is a contentious topic – there are more than 65km of trails within the town borders.
Creepy Crawlies
A film showing some of the many insects and other small creatures to be found in Bad Berneck.
Shot and edited by Dominic Day, who often spent hours quietly in one place to allow the creatures to find him.
The complete lyrics of the song, as performed by the Choral Society 1835 (see Sounds):
Pearl, sweet little pearl
By Simon Breu (Unrhymed translation)
Pearl, sweet little pearl, be greeted a thousand times.
Let me rejoice, let me sing: long live Berneck in the Ölschnitz valley!
It rustles quietly in your forests, streams murmur, the sun is laughing
on your mountains, on the fields, above all the almighty glory.
High on the rock, the ruins lost in dreams, look down the valley,
Berneck, you castle in the green, full of memories.
Forest scent, hidden paths – forest peace is everywhere.
Little river invites us to bathe. Its roaring greets us in the winter.
Wanderer, here you hear the bird song in loud choir
And as thanks for this blessing it will make your heart exult:
Pearl, sweet little pearl, be greeted a thousand times.
Let me rejoice, let me sing: long live Berneck in the Ölschnitz valley!
„Perle, süße kleine Perle“ (=‘Pearl, sweet little Pearl’)
The Choral Society Berneck 1835 is the oldest association in the town.
For the QR-Tour, the choir serenaded us in the park with a hymn to Berneck, written by Simon Breu (born 1858), which describes and celebrates the romantic setting of the town and the Ölschnitz valley.
Tip: See the full video of the choir on QR 3 – Kurpark!
| „Perle, süße kleine Perle“ (=‘Pearl, sweet little pearl’)Choral Society Berneck 1835 |
