Hammelburg

Hammelburg is a town in the Bad Kissingen district of Bavaria, nestled in the Rhön region at an elevation of 182 meters along the Fränkische Saale river. The municipal area covers 128 square kilometers and includes both the central town and several surrounding villages.

The earliest written record dates back to the year 716, when it appeared as Hamulo Castellum, and in 1303 the settlement received formal town status. Following the end of the Holy Roman Empire, it joined the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1816.

This settlement marks the earliest recorded wine-growing community in all of Franconia, and vineyards still climb the slopes above the town center. Walking through the old quarter reveals traces of the winemaking tradition that has shaped local life for more than a thousand years.

Regional roads connect the town to neighboring communities, and the center offers schools, medical facilities, and public squares. Visitors exploring on foot can walk through the old quarter in an afternoon, while the hillside vineyards remain within easy reach.

During the Second World War, two prisoner-of-war camps operated here, OFLAG XIII-B and Stalag XIII-C, which became the target of a risky liberation raid in March 1945. The operation remained controversial for years because it was carried out without military authorization and resulted in several soldier casualties.

Location: Bad Kissingen district

Elevation above the sea: 182 m

Shares border with: Wasserlosen, Arnstein, Eußenheim, Karsbach, Gräfendorf, Wartmannsroth, Oberthulba, Elfershausen, Fuchsstadt

Website: https://hammelburg.de

GPS coordinates: 50.11522,9.89044

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:16