Forchheim District

Forchheim District is an administrative division in Upper Franconia positioned between Bamberg and Bayreuth, covering approximately 643 square kilometers (248 square miles). The territory is shaped by the Regnitz River and Frankish Alb hills, encompassing 29 municipalities with a combined population of around 116,000 residents.

The territory took its current shape in 1972 through the merger of Forchheim district with portions of Ebermannstadt and Pegnitz districts. This reorganization was part of broader administrative reforms that reshaped the region.

The coat of arms displays a lion representing Bamberg, a key symbolizing the former county of Schlüsselberg, and a trout standing for the city of Forchheim. These symbols tell the story of the different territories and towns that make up this region.

Visitors can access the various municipalities through good transportation connections to Nuremberg and Bamberg, which serve as central hubs for further travel in the region. The towns are positioned at comfortable distances from each other, making it easy to plan different routes for exploring the area.

The capital city Forchheim houses in its town hall what is documented as the largest physical advent calendar, using 24 windows of the historic building. This unusual decoration allows visitors during the holiday season to experience a daily reveal on the town hall facade.

Location: Upper Franconia

Inception: July 1, 1862

Capital city: Forchheim

Elevation above the sea: 377 m

Shares border with: Bamberg, Bayreuth, Nürnberger Land, Erlangen-Höchstadt

Website: http://landkreis-forchheim.de

GPS coordinates: 49.75000,11.08333

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:51