Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a mini-mansion on the northern edge of the Hofgarten. The building now houses the
Richard Wagner Museum, but at the time of research it was closed for renovation and
would remain that way until at least 2013.
Despite the ongoing building work, you can still sneak around the back of the house to
see the unmarked, ivy-covered tomb containing Wagner and his wife Cosima. The sand-
stone grave of his loving canine companion Russ stands nearby.
Festspielhaus
( 787 80;
www.bayreuther-festspiele.de
;
Festspielhügel 1-2; adult/concession €5/3)
North of the Hauptbahnhof, the main venue for Bayreuth's annual Wagner Festival is the
Festspielhaus, constructed in 1872 with King Ludwig II's backing. The structure was spe-
cially designed to accommodate Wagner's massive theatrical sets, with three storeys of
mechanical works hidden below stage. It's still one of the largest opera venues in the
world. Tours are available daily most of the year; check the website for details. Take bus
305 to Am Festspielhaus.
OPERA HOUSE
Eremitage
Around 6km east of the centre lies the Eremitage, a lush park girding the
Altes Schloss
(
759 6937; adult/concession €4.50/3.50; 9am-6pm Apr-Sep)
, Friedrich and Wil-
helmine's summer residence. Visits to the palace are by guided tour only and take in the
Chinese Mirror Room where Countess Wilhelmine penned her memoirs.
Also in the park is horseshoe-shaped Neues Schloss (not to be confused with the one in
town), which centres on the amazing mosaic Sun Temple with gilded Apollo sculpture.
Around both palaces you'll find numerous grottoes, follies and gushing fountains. To get
there take bus 302 from Markt.
PARK
MUSEUM, BREWERY
Maisel's Brauerei-und-Büttnerei-Museum
( 401 234;
www.maisel.com/museum
; Kulmbacher Strasse 40; tours adult/concession
€4/2; tours 2pm daily)
For a fascinating look at the brewing process, head to this
enormous museum next door to the brewery of one of Germany's top wheat-beer produ-
cers. The 90-minute guided tour takes you into the bowels of the 19th-century plant, with
atmospheric rooms filled with 4500 beer mugs and amusing artefacts. Visits conclude
with a glass of cloudy
Weissbier
(wheat beer).
