Weißenstädter See - © TZ Fichtelgebirge / A. Hub

Schönwald

Schönwald, a little town nestled at the foot of the Großer Kornberg mountain, is just under 6 km away from Selb. Like Selb, Schönwald is also located on the historic Porcelain Route in Fichtelgebirge Nature Park. What Selb and Schönwald do have in common are the numerous leisure options in nature and the proximity to the Rock Labyrinth in the Fichtel Mountains, along with the unique summery Luisenburg Festival.

Those looking for more of an urban environment can amble past the romantic Biedermeier period façades in Hof just 20 minutes away. Bürgerpark Theresienstein, one of Germany’s most beautiful parks, is also a splendid place to take a stroll. The district town with almost 50,000 residents draws people in for indulgent shopping trips, to try out the diverse restaurant scene or to see the Hof Symphony Orchestra in concert.

The town gives the stage to the avant-garde at the annual Hof International Film Festival.

Like Selb, Schönwald is made attractive by its proximity to the Czech border. Just one hour away by car you can find the picturesque splendour of the old spa resorts of Karlsbad and Marienbad. You can travel to Prague for a weekend away in just 2 hours.

In Schönwald, the porcelain brand of the same name was launched in 1879 when Johann Nicol Müller converted his sawmill into a porcelain factory. Today, around 350 employees produce a highly complex range of more than 1,100 items and ensure that BHS is among the most renowned manufacturers of professional porcelain in the world. BHS is one of the most important employers in the region.

 

 

Altes Rathaus in Weiden i.d. Opf. - © Tourist-Information Weiden i.d. Opf.

Weiden

Weiden is fondly referred to as the ‘cultural pearl in the Oberpfälzer Wald’. The Oberpfälzer Wald (Upper Palatine Forest) is historically the region between the old imperial towns of Regensburg and Eger in the Czech Republic. Nowadays, the region is a popular holiday destination boasting romantic towns, pond and lake scenery, fortresses, castles and abbeys. Hikes can be combined with a number of cultural delights on the Goldsteig or the Burgweg on tours lasting several days.

Weiden itself is now a bustling, modern city with a lovingly restored old town. Trendy boutiques are dotted among small shops, galleries and restaurants. The composer Max Reger lived and worked not far from the town hall with its famous glockenspiel. St. Josef’s Church in the heart of the city is a gem for fans of art nouveau. Culture vultures flock to Weiden for its countless concerts, exhibitions, theatre performances and lectures.

Leisure facilities for all imaginable sports inspire sports fans as much as relaxing in the saunas and wellness centres areas of the Weidener Thermenwelt. In around one hour you can reach the university cities of Bayreuth, Regensburg and Nuremberg with their countless tourist attractions and nightlife options.

In 1881, the Bauscher brothers manufactured the more robust hotel porcelain here in Weiden and laid the foundation for the Bauscher brand, the world’s most widely used professional porcelain brand. Today, around 400 employees work here in one of the most modern and highly automated production facilities for porcelain worldwide. BHS is also one of the most important employers in the region in Weiden.

 

 

Felsenlabyrinth Luisenburg - © TZ Fichtelgebirge / A. Hub

Selb

Selb’s image is marked by porcelain or what is called “white gold”. World-famous brands such as Hutschenreuther and Rosenthal have their roots here. It is therefore no surprise that you are reminded of the history of porcelain at every corner and the state museum of porcelain Porzellanikon is located here.

The legendary Porzellinermarkt, the largest porcelain flea market in Europe, takes place in Selb each year on the first weekend of August. Residents scour their attics for beautiful pieces so that connoisseurs and collectors can find some gems.

Selb also has plenty to offer nature enthusiasts. On well-marked paths and routes, the undulating landscape of the Fichtelgebirge invites you to go hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing or, in the summer, swimming in the outdoor lake ‘Langer Teich’.

The Luisenburg Rock Labyrinth is a tourist attraction that casts a spell over tourists and locals with its mossy caves, giant granite boulders and breathtaking panorama platforms in the shadow of towering rock formations. The Luisenburg Festivals have been unparalleled for almost 130 years. Top-notch open-air theatres are presented on Germany’s oldest outdoor stage in the middle of the Rock Labyrinth.

In Selb, BHS is headquartered in the historic buildings of Ludwigsmühle. The brand TAFELSTERN is also headquartered there. BHS’ cutting-edge decoration and logistics centre (DLZ) also has its home in Selb. Around 200 employees make sure that all customer requests are fulfilled in a timely and reliable manner.