The regions, towns and places. Their highlights, stories, traditions, customs and festivals

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Hof:

Local spelling:

Hof

The city at the top of Bavaria

During the Cold War Hof was a valuable strategic location for the US Forces, with it’s close proximity to the former East Germany, what was then Czechoslovakia and the Iron Curtain.

The two notable churches are the Marienkirche, finished in 1864 and the Lorenzkirche , with it’s origin going back to the 11th century. A devastating fire in 1823 destroyed or damaged most of the town. This is why many of the rebuilt buildings show the influence of the more “modern” times in their architecture.

Shortly before the reunification of Germany the city was “invaded” on weekends by hordes of East German citizens. They were allowed across the border on weekends and shopped till the store shelves were empty with the stipends they received from the West German government . For more information about this small regional “Metropolis” see the links above.

We always enjoyed strolling through the pedestrian zone at the Lorenz Church, stopping in at the fish market for a Bismarckhering on a hard roll and also a pair of hot dogs on a bun with mustard from the hot dog street vendor unique to Hof called the “Waerschtlamo”.

These vendors belong to a guild which only exists here and a pair of their “Waerschtla” or Wieners is a must have when visiting! They actually have a festival in the middle of June.

History

External link(s) to:

Wikipedia

Museums and Permanent Exhibits

Link to city web site

Extensive site in English

Photo: Parpan

D’ “Waerschtlamo”