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More recently the limestone has become the basis for the production of gypsum (e.g. sheetrock) and Iphofen is the headquarters of the largest West European gypsum firm, Knauf. Thus, one finds the motto decorating the building above: "Wein Gips und Holz sind Iphofens Stolz" -- translated as: "Wine, plaster (gypsum) and timber (as in half-timbered) are Iphofen's pride."
You may join these without prior arrangement by meeting in front of the Tourist Office, though note the tours are conducted in German. You can arrange for the same tour at any other time and in English by making prior arrangements through the Tourist Office. The tours cost DM25 (total per group) for from 1 to 15 persons. For larger groups DM2.50 per person. Usually these tours start in front of the Rathaus but guests can be met at their hotel or any other location as well.
Doubles at the Goldene Krone There's little English spoken at the
hotel, but a few words of English, a few words of German, and the helpful staff's gestures
and friendly smiles made our stay quite pleasant. Unless you speak German, we suggest
making reservations by fax. (No problems with
written-English requests and replies.) While there's no need to eat anywhere else than the Goldene Krone (as the crowds will attest) it's hard to find a bad meal in Iphofen, or Franconia. The food at the Romantik Hotel Zehntkeller is reputedly excellent; we had neither time nor purse to sample. Among other commendable sampled restaurants: the Würzburger Hof in Kitzingen (Jägerbraten was outstanding) and the Weisses Ross in Iphofen (both quite inexpensive for Germany, about DM40-45 for a hearty meal and a glass of wine). Want a break from hearty Bavarian food? A good Italian restaurant, O Sole Mio, is just five minutes from Iphofen in Grosslangheim.
There's a great deal to see in the triangle between Würzburg, Bamberg and Iphofen. A bit further southward at the end of the Romantic Road lie King Ludwig's castles. Sights around Iphofen are as enjoyable as any in the world.
Approaching from Kitzingen you'll see
the town walls and
Ed found driving in Germany on all kinds of roads quite enjoyable. Julie had her teeth unclenched by the time our flight to New York had reached 10,000 feet! Seriously, there's no reason to avoid the autobahns or driving in Germany at all. Germans are surely the best drivers in Europe.
Technically the community remains a city (Stadt.) From a size standpoint it is more a "town" or large "village" in English. In 1972 the six adjacent villages were placed under the Stadt's administrative responsibility. Iphofen proper has a population of around 3,000, with another 1,500 citizens living in the incorporated communities. Iphofen's past, as Franconia's, is full of strife:
More recently, the death toll of the two World Wars brought more tragedy.
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ranconia (Franken, in German) is the
region of Germany occupying the northern part of the present-day state of Bavaria, roughly the area above the Danube (Donau).
ermans, and
especially Franconians, love their wines ... and with good
reason. Many German cities celebrate wine with a wine festival (Winzerfest). Iphofen is no
exception. Iphofen's is usually held the second weekend of July. 
ine alone justifies a visit to
Iphofen. It is a major wine center, with over 20 vintners. Franconian whites are among the
best from Germany (quite good, indeed), and the Iphofens are at the top, equal to the
elite of the world. You'll find many tasting rooms where you may test for yourself the
correctness of our judgment. 
The unique stony shell lime underlying the soil
provides an ideal basis for producing crisp whites. The city's history is firmly linked to
wine production, and we read from annals of 1476: "The greatest part of the
population earns its living by growing wine." As recently as the 17th century brewing
beer was forbidden so as to assist the struggling vintners.
here are a number of small hotels and
guesthouses. We stayed at the 
skyline before you
arrive.The center of town is an easy one kilometer walk (10-15 minutes) -- bear to
your right leaving the station area walking toward the highway and follow the path to your
left to the underpass. Follow the sidewalk along Bahnhofstrasse until you come to an
opening in the town walls, a hundred yards or so beyond the post office. Follow this
somewhat winding street for a couple of hundred yards past the churches and shortly after
it narrows considerably you'll be in the town square.
ou'll find directions for driving to
Iphofen and our thoughts on driving in Germany in 
ased on visits at the ends of March
and September we'd guess Franconian weather is similar to
what you'd find in New Hampshire, for example. They seem to get more clouds and rain than
we're used to in the US Midwest, at least in the early Spring and early Fall.
olidays, at least
unexpected ones, can spoil a vacation. 
ecorded
history for Iphofen dates to 741. After growing for six centuries the settlement became,
officially, a city, more than a century before Columbus tripped over the Americas. 
Happily the last 50 years have been more calm.
Out of the tragedies of the past the town and its citizens honor their heritage while
looking to the future. 
f awakening to a hearty German
breakfast and a stroll on the moat around medieval walls overshadowed by a hillside of
grapevines, or a journey through time along cobblestoned streets lined with half-timbered
buildings, is your idea of getting away from it all, you'll love Iphofen. It's like heaven
with two Autobahns 15 minutes away!