Suche
Discover the golden street: history, culture and enjoyment!
Learn everything about the historic golden street between Nuremberg and Prague, from Emperor Charles IV to today's travel routes.
Discover the golden street: history, culture and enjoyment!
In the Middle Ages, Prague and Nuremberg were connected by the Golden Straße, which had served as the most important trade route between these two cities since the 13th century. This route, which extends over around 300 kilometers, enables trains to travel between the two cities with Via Carolina today in around three hours. Promoter reports that Emperor Charles IV attached great importance to undisturbed trips and promoted this route through various privileges. So he was able to travel duty -free between Prague and Nuremberg - a real advantage for the royal representations.
The golden street, which was not only limited to the then modern trade routes, has a long history and is based on old connections from the history. Under Charles IV, she became more important because he acquired areas in the "upper Palatinate" and subordinate it to the Bohemian crown. The area became known as Neuböhmen and made the connection between Bohemia and Nuremberg. Interestingly, remains of the two cities along this route are still visible, such as castles and old trade routes that underline the charm of the region.
The historic route
Almost exclusively running in a new and Bohemian area, the Golden Straße was a place full of stories. Historical reports testify to raids, such as that on a Strasbourg legation in 1395. However, despite these inconvenience, the street also served as an Reichsstrasse, on which Bohemian kings traveled to important Reichstagen and elections. Charles IV himself is said to have been on this route 52 times, which underlines the importance of this route.
The trade route not only brought significant economic advantages for the adjacent cities, but was also a hub for the exchange of goods and cultures. Things such as skins, wax and spices came from Bohemia, while Flanders exported cloth, seeds and wine to the region. The German Hanse also used the Golden Straße, which contributed to the bloom of trade and economic cooperation.
| Products from Bohemia | Products from Flanders |
|---|---|
| Skins | Towel |
| wax | Seeds |
| Spices | Grain |
Recent developments
According to the fall of the Iron Curtain, the Golden Straße has recovered in importance and today attracts cyclists and hikers. Along the route, hiking trails are offered that bring the historic flair of the route to life. Over the years, new ways and routes have been created to make this historical journey more accessible to tourists. There are already signposted hiking trails that convey a feeling for the historical heritage-for example between Sulzbach-Rosenberg and the national border.
The Golden Straße is more than just one way - it is a lively history book that tells how cultures, trade flows and balance of power have developed over centuries. Regardless of whether on a bike or on foot, exploring this route is an impressive experience that conveys the spirit of the past and makes the beauty of the region tangible up close. Thanks to its rich history and the recovered accessibility, the street remains an important link between Bohemia and Bavaria.