Schwandorf

Schwandorf is a town in eastern Bavaria that sits where the rivers Naab and Regen meet, surrounded by gentle hills and forests. The built area ranges from the historic old town with narrow lanes to modern residential districts and industrial zones on the outskirts.

The first written record of the settlement dates to the year 1006, when it appeared in a document as Suainicondorf. The town received formal city rights in 1446 and grew into a regional administrative seat over the following centuries.

The old town center gathers around a market square where locals shop and meet throughout the week, surrounded by traditional houses and shops. The church of Sankt Jakob serves as the parish center for Sunday services and religious celebrations that mark the local calendar.

The train station connects the town with other places in Bavaria and makes it easy to arrive by public transport. The old town can be explored on foot, while a bus or car helps reach outer neighborhoods and nearby attractions.

Beneath the town spreads a wide network of rock cellars that form the largest underground complex of its kind in Bavaria, once used for storing beer and food. These underground passages cut through natural sandstone and offer a cool glimpse into earlier storage methods.