Some historical information:

Bad Staffelstein was first mentioned in records in 800 AD.

At the beginning Staffelstein belonged to some noblemen and became then property of to the monastery of Fulda in 850 and in the course of the 11th century of the diocese of Bamberg.

In 1422 Staffelstein was finally allowed to build a wall and to fortify the town.

In 1473 the town was devastated by a fire, but this was only the beginning of a long history of suffering. Staffelstein was destroyed and devastated during the “Thirty Years' War” and in the following year, the plague raged through the country. The second fire destroyed the town hall and almost all of the houses in 1684. Only a few buildings and the church were left undamaged.

The layout of Bad Staffelstein today is a result of its reconstruction in 1684.

A new era in the town's history began in 1975, when drilling reached the source of the hot springs in over 1000 m depth and the "Obermain Therme" (Uppermain spa) was opened.

Due to their famous hot springs the town received the title “Bad” Staffelstein in 2001.

Some Attractions:

The town hall with its half timbered architecture in the historic old town is a must-see. It is the landmark of Bad Staffelstein.

The historical town hall dominates the marketplace and is surrounded by a lot of other half timbered buildings. In the foreground you can see the town hall and a statue of “Johann Nepomuk”.

Close to the town hall you can find the statue of “Adam Riese”. This famous German mathematician was born in Bad Staffelstein in 1492. Even today the saying “Das macht nach Adam Riese” is often used for stressing the fact that a mathematical solution is right.

The two-piece bronze sculpture was dedicated on the 450^th anniversary of the death of Adam Riese in 2009.

It is a life-size sculpture of him and a boy.

The tower is also a popular landmark of Bad Staffelstein. It was built in 1422 with the town wall and it is the only remaining tower of the fortification.
You can see some remains of the old town wall at different locations throughout the town.

In Bad Staffelstein you can also visit a lot of churches. Besides the Catholic parish church “St. Kilian”, which is the oldest building in Bad Staffelstein, and the Protestant parish church “Heilige Dreieinigkeit” (Holy Trinity), Bad Staffelstein has three other chapels.

In the town museum you can learn a lot about the town. There is information about the development, about Adam Riese and also about fossils, minerals and some archaeological findings from the “Staffelberg”.

Opening hours:
April- October:
Tuesday-Friday: 10.00- 12.00 a.m. 2.00- 5.00 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 2.00-5.00 p.m.
Monday closed

November- March:
Saturday and Tuesday: 2.00- 4.00 p.m.

December 26th – January 6th:
On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 2.00- 4.00 p.m.
And by appointment

In addition to the cultural attractions, there are also nice places to relax.

A visit to the beautiful “Kurpark” (spa garden) is a good idea. There you can find the “Gradierwerke” (graduation works) where saltwater from the spa flows over willow branches and creates an ocean breeze. Other highlights include the stage built on a lake, a Franconian water mill, a fountain and a round pillar temple.
In the park the view of the “Staffelberg” (hill), “Kloster Banz” (Monastery Banz) and “Vierzehnheiligen” (Fourteen Saints' Basilica) creates a beautiful atmosphere.

tip:
Throughout the year there are a lot of events that take place on the lake stage in the “Kurpark” (spa garden) or in front of the town hall. One should also listen to the “Klampfengruppe”, a group of musicians who play folk songs, and sing along with them!
If your holiday happens to be during the “Schützenfest” or the “Altstadtfest” you should attend them. They are great opportunities to learn more about the Franconian culture.
You can get information about the exact dates of these events at the tourist information desk or by visiting the Bad Staffelstein website.

sources:
photos:
http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Datei:Rathaus_Staffelstein.JPG&filetimestamp=20101004121214
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Adam_Ries,_Bad_Staffelstein.jpg/220px-Adam_Ries,_Bad_Staffelstein.jpg
text:
http://www.tourismusverein-badstaffelstein.de/index.php?page=0&menu=6
http://www.schoen-kliniken.de/ptp/kkh/sta/service/klinik/umgebung/
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Staffelstein
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Ries
http://www.myheimat.de/bad-staffelstein/kultur/ein-riesiges-adam-riese-denkmal-in-der-adam-riese-stadt-d917757.html

text written by Jennifer Jung, P-Seminar 10/12 „Werbung für Bad Staffelstein“ am MGL
translated by Lena Kellner, P-Seminar 10/12 „Werbung für Bad Staffelstein“ am MGL