Theresienstein Citizens' Park
Experience nature in the city
One of the most beautiful parks in Germany is located in the middle of Hof: the Theresienstein civic park. In 1819, the previously bare rocky outcrop known as "Fröhlichenstein" was planted with trees and turned into a park. An excursion restaurant was added in 1832, and today the building, which is reminiscent of a "half-timbered castle", is used as a summer restaurant and serves as a romantic photo backdrop for numerous wedding couples. Over the years, a recreational area of around 70 hectares has been created, which is popular with visitors and locals alike - a classic landscape garden that has been repeatedly expanded and redesigned over the years. It owes its name to Queen Therese Charlotte, the wife of Ludwig I of Bavaria, who visited the city of Hof in 1836, when the Bürgerpark am "Fröhlichenstein" was renamed "Theresienstein". However, the Theresienstein was never a royal park: it was created solely through the efforts of the citizens of Hof.
Source of peace
The Thereseinstein, which is only a few minutes' walk from the city center, is a source of tranquility with numerous places of strength and happiness. A huge network of wide and narrow paths, surrounded by old trees, meadows, ponds and many small pavilions and places to linger, runs through the park. They lead from the Theresienstein building, whose idyllic beer garden with a view over the city center is only open from the beginning of May to the beginning of September during the Sunday promenade concerts from 11.00 am during the extensive renovation of the building, to the labyrinth, an artificially created ruin on the summit of the Theresienstein.
In 1994, on the occasion of the Bavarian State Garden Show, the original style of the park was emphasized: historical elements were reintroduced, visual axes that had disappeared over time were reopened and buried streams and ponds were uncovered.
The Theresienstein Citizens' Park - known as "Stein" for short by the people of Hof - is one of the most beautiful natural sights in Hof. Not for nothing was it voted Germany's most beautiful park in 2003.
Enjoy the views
If you want to take a look at the city from above, the Theresienstein is just the place for you. From the spacious sun terrace of the summer restaurant and other points in the park, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Hof city center and beyond. Let your gaze wander from Ludwigstraße over the town hall and the twin towers of St. Michael's and St. Mary's churches and far into the Hofer Land region.
Experience nature on winding paths
If you want to explore the Theresienstein on foot, you will have to accept a small climb. But you will be richly rewarded along the way. Across the Saale, under old trees, on small winding paths, you will be offered beautiful views. In the extensive park itself, you can discover many small sights at idyllic ponds, water basins with fountains, sculptures and pavilions. You can enjoy a sweeping view of the surrounding countryside from the romantic labyrinth ruins. The zoological garden and the Botanical Garden are in the immediate vicinity of the park - and all just a stone's throw from the city center.
In 2018, the Geopfad am Theresienstein was launched by the State Office for the Environment, supported by the Verschönerungsverein and the Förderverein Botanischer Garten und Theresienstein Hof e.V. association. On this approx. 6 km long circular trail, for which you should plan about 2 hours, you can experience a journey for young and old along various geological highlights back to different ages - guided by information boards that are as informative as they are entertaining. The starting and finishing point is the Zoo parking lot.
Venue
Numerous events take place at Theresienstein: on all Sundays from mid-May to the beginning of September, there are promenade concerts in the music pavilion from 11.00 am.
During the rose blossom in June, the Förderverein Botanischer Garten und Theresienstein Hof e.V. invites you to the Rose Festival with rose punch made to a secret recipe and in July to the "Night of the Senses" with music, catering and enchanting illumination in the botanical garden.
Brochure about the Hofer Stein
Get to know unknown places, sculptures, buildings and actors
What does the Art Nouveau commercial building on the Stein have to do with a Nuremberg beer hall? Why are the castle ruins a fake and located in a non-existent labyrinth? And what's the story behind the Milchhaisla and the vegetable hut? The brochure published by the Förderverein Botanischer Garten und Theresienstein Hof e. V. provides answers to these and other questions as well as lots of interesting facts. The richly illustrated 96-page brochure offers three different walks along the sights of the Hof stone.
The brochure is available for €5 from the Hof Tourist Information Office, the Museum Bayerisches Vogtland, the book gallery in the Altstadthof, the Kleinschmidt bookshop and Zigarren Wagner. The proceeds will be used to beautify the Theresienstin.
