Franconian Bible Path

The Franconian Bible Path begins in front of Untermerzbach Castle. In front of the entrance gate is sculpture 1 "Adam and Eve." The trail marker of the "Franconian Bible Path" with the "Alpha and Omega" also starts here. Along the way, 12 Christian wooden figures created by artists are set up, each accompanied by explanatory Bible verses. From sculpture 1, the path leads slightly uphill towards the "Hunneneiche" inn. After about 300 m, sculpture No. 2 "Noah" is located on a flat plateau. From here, there is a wonderful panoramic view over the Itz valley to the towers of Banz Monastery and the Untermerzbach districts of Gereuth, Buch, and Wüstenwelsberg.

The path now turns right. It passes a small forest and the Jewish cemetery towards the center of Untermerzbach. Behind the beautiful town hall, there is a good view of the Protestant church and next to the village fountain, sculpture No. 3 "Abraham". Along the main road following the Bible path sign, the path leads at the end of the village into a left side street past many old cellars in the Erkel II new development area, onto the cycle path towards Memmelsdorf (Lower Franconia). After about 700 m, the mighty sculpture No. 4 "Moses" draws attention. From there, there is also a beautiful view over the middle Itz valley, which is bordered to the east by the "Eierberge" and the "Banzer Bergen", while to the west the mountain ridge of the "Haßberge" rises.

In Memmelsdorf, the path leads straight over a bridge past the old bakery to sculpture No. 5 "Psalm 23" in Kempfengasse after about 100 m. The Memmelsdorf synagogue in the town center is worth a visit here. Through Kempfengasse, it goes out of Memmelsdorf again. The path then goes straight on an asphalted, later only gravel path uphill to the forest to sculpture No. 6 "Isaiah" at the Jewish cemetery. From here, it goes straight on about 600 m to a forest path intersection, which is crossed. After 20 m, the path leads right to sculpture No. 7 "John the Baptist." From there, it goes again over the ridge on a footpath along over roots and stones to the so-called "Christenstein" with sculpture No. 8 "Temptation of Jesus." The "Christenstein" consists of rocks exposed to wind and weather.

From here, the path leads steeply down to the right. After about 50 m, the hiking trail leads right after about 100 m onto a wide gravel forest road. The path now runs across meadows, fields, and fruit trees past an old memorial stone from 1634. Schloss Wiesen is left down to the right, a small local connecting road is crossed, and the path re-enters a forest. After about 200 m, a small quarry on the right side catches the eye. There is sculpture No. 9 "Healing through attention." After another 100 m, sculpture No. 10 "Easter" can be seen on the west edge of the ridge. From here, there is a beautiful view of some houses in the village of Heilgersdorf.

Behind a large forest clearing with a meadow, the path leads right onto an asphalt road. From there, there is a first view of the town of Seßlach. The road is crossed, and after 100 m the path turns right. After a while, the Bible path sign points right. After about 500 m, behind the trees at the forest edge, the three-part sculpture No. 11 "Pentecost" can be seen. It looks down into the beautiful little town of Seßlach. A bench group invites for a short rest. The Bible path now continues on a field path half-right, downhill. At the next small forest, it goes half-left over the hill towards Seßlach. Shortly before the town gate of Seßlach at the old Rodach bridge, the last sculpture No. 12 "The Heavenly Jerusalem" invites you to read the text and pause briefly as the destination point.

After the hike, the medieval town of Seßlach offers many places to eat with typical Franconian cuisine.