Suche
Mein Konto
Historical landmark: Imperial Palace in Forchheim becomes barrier-free!
Construction work begins to make the Imperial Palace in Forchheim barrier-free, including historical bridge restoration and access adjustments.
Historical landmark: Imperial Palace in Forchheim becomes barrier-free!
Significant construction work is underway in Forchheim, which not only affects the historical heritage but also the accessibility of the Imperial Palace. On July 17, 2025, work on the renovation of the old sandstone bridge, which represents a central access to the inner courtyard of the Imperial Palace, was initiated. The city administration invites citizens to find out about the project progress on the construction phase “2024.01 Imperial Palace, inner courtyard and bridge: measures to improve accessibility (BA I Imperial Palace Bridge)” and asks for their understanding of the temporary restrictions during the construction period.
The renovation measures are far-reaching and aim to preserve the historical structure of the bridge and create inclusive access to the Imperial Palace. The planned work includes, among other things, the renewal of the drainage level, the installation of barrier-free paving and the adjustment of the parapet heights to modern safety standards. Loud Wiesentbote Construction work on the bridge deck is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, while the restoration of the historic masonry is planned for spring 2026, depending on the budget situation.
Temporary changes and access options
The construction site brings with it some changes. For visitors with mobility restrictions, special, barrier-free access will be set up via the outside area of the district court. There will also be a new ramp in the west wing, which will make access to the inner courtyard easier. The city has already posted signs on site to clearly communicate the changed route. Guests without restrictions can still access the Imperial Palace via the north wing with stairs. During construction work, access to the playground in Pfalzgraben is only possible via the ramp in the north.
It is particularly important for residents and visitors that parking spaces in front of the Imperial Palace and the District Court will be closed during construction work. On weekends and public holidays, when no construction work is taking place, the access routes via the district court area can be used. The bridge itself will also remain passable for pedestrians while the necessary structural inspections will be carried out from February 12th to February 19th Forchheim.de reported.
Outlook for future measures
An important aspect of the project is the planned archaeological support of the bridge investigations. The city is also planning further improvements to accessibility in the inner courtyard and in the northern area of the Imperial Palace, which are expected to begin in 2027. These comprehensive measures are part of the “Living Centers” program, which is supported with funding from the federal government, the government of Upper Franconia and the Oberfrankenstiftung.
In summary, it can be said: The city of Forchheim has demonstrated a good knack for preserving its historical buildings and at the same time creating accessibility. The measures to renovate the Imperial Palace and its entrances are not only a benefit for historical preservation, but also for all citizens who would like to visit this unique place.