Editing Franconia (section)

==Contemporary Franconia==
{{More citations needed|section|date=September 2022}}
While [[Old Bavaria]] is overwhelmingly [[Roman Catholic]], Franconia is a mixed area. Lower Franconia and the western half of Upper Franconia ([[Bamberg]], [[Lichtenfels, Bavaria|Lichtenfels]], [[Kronach]]) is predominantly Catholic, while most of Middle and the eastern half of Upper Franconia ([[Bayreuth]], [[Hof, Bavaria|Hof]], [[Kulmbach]]) are predominantly [[Protestantism|Protestant]] ([[Protestant Church in Germany]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hdbg.eu/karten/karten/detail/id/114|language=de|title=Predominantly Protestant and predominantly Catholic regions in Franconia, denomination distribution 1750|access-date=2024-03-24}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

The city of [[Fürth]] in Middle Franconia historically (before the Nazi era) had a large [[Jewish]] population; [[Henry Kissinger]] was born there.<ref>Ferguson, N. (2015). Kissinger: 1923-1968: The Idealist. Regno Unito: Penguin Books Limited.</ref>

===Population===
A large portion of the roughly five million<ref>Based on the combined populations of the provinces of Middle, Upper and Lower Franconia in Bavaria as well as the counties of South Thuringia and Tauber Franconia.</ref> inhabitants of Franconia consider themselves Franconians ({{lang|de|Franken}}, in German homonymous with the name of the historical [[Franks]]), a sub-ethnic group of the [[German people]] alongside [[Alemanni]], [[Swabians]], [[Bavarians]], [[Thuringians]] and [[Saxons]]. Such an ethnic identity is generally not shared by speakers of Central Franconian, Low Franconian, Rhenish Franconian or South Franconian, some of whom may identify as Rhine Franconians (''Rheinfranken'') or Moselle Franconians (''Moselfranken'').

The [[Free State of Bavaria]] counts Franconians as one of the "four tribes of Bavaria" (''vier Stämme Bayerns''), alongside Bavarians, Swabians and [[Sudeten Germans]].<ref>[http://www.bayern.de/Menschen-in-Bayern-.2549.4448573/index.htm ''Das Land Bayern: Menschen in Bayern - Tradition und Zukunft''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325102318/http://www.bayern.de/Menschen-in-Bayern-.2549.4448573/index.htm |date=25 March 2014}}: www.bayern.de, Bayerisches Landesportal. Accessed 15 September 2022.</ref>

=== Towns and cities ===
With the exception of [[Schwäbisch Hall]], all cities in Franconia and all towns with a population of over 40,000 are within the Free State of Bavaria. By far the largest city in Franconia is [[Nuremberg]] with more than 500,000 inhabitants. The other three major cities are [[Fürth]], [[Würzburg]] and [[Erlangen]]. In Middle Franconia, in the [[Nuremberg Metropolitan Region|metropolitan region of Nuremberg]] there is a densely populated urban area consisting of Nuremberg, Fürth, Erlangen and [[Schwabach]] with around 1.4 million inhabitants. Nuremberg is the fourteenth largest city in Germany and the second largest in Bavaria.<ref name="by-einwohner">[https://www.statistikdaten.bayern.de/genesis/online?operation=result&code=12411-003r&leerzeilen=false&language=de Genesis Online-Datenbank des Bayerischen Landesamtes für Statistik Tabelle 12411-003r Fortschreibung des Bevölkerungsstandes: Gemeinden, Stichtag] (Einwohnerzahlen auf Grundlage des Zensus 2011) (from 31 December 2022)</ref>

The largest settlements in Baden-Württemberg's Franconian region are [[Schwäbisch Hall]] (41,898 pop.) and [[Crailsheim]] (35,760) [[Öhringen]] (25,388) and [[Bad Mergentheim]] (24,564)<ref name="bw-einwohner">[https://www.statistik-bw.de/BevoelkGebiet/Bevoelk_I_D_A_vj.csv Statistisches Landesamt Baden-Württemberg] – Bevölkerung nach Nationalität und Geschlecht am 31. Dezember 2022 (from 31 December 2022) (CSV-File)</ref> The largest places in the Thuringian part are [[Suhl]] (37,009), [[Meiningen]] (25,177) and [[Sonneberg]] (23,507).<ref name="th-einwohner">[https://statistik.thueringen.de/datenbank/TabAnzeige.asp?GGglied=1&GGTabelle=gem&tabelle=gg000102&startpage=99&datcsv=&richtung=&sortiere=&vorspalte=1&SZDT=&anzahlH=-2&fontgr=12&mkro=&AnzeigeAuswahl=&XLS=&auswahlNr=&felder=0&felder=1&felder=2&zeit=2022%7C%7Cs1&anzahlZellen=2193 Bevölkerung der Gemeinden vom Thüringer Landesamt für Statistik] (from 31 December 2022)</ref>

The largest place in the Hessian part of Franconia is [[Gersfeld (Rhön)|Gersfeld]] with just 5,516&nbsp;inhabitants.<ref>[https://archive.today/20080421165936/http://www.statistik-hessen.de/themenauswahl/bevoelkerung-gebiet/regionaldaten/bevoelkerung-der-hessischen-gemeinden/index.html Bevölkerung der hessischen Gemeinden] (population figures from the 2011 census)</ref> The largest cities within Bavaria are Nuremberg (523,026), Fürth (131,433), Würzburg (127,810) and Erlangen (116,562).<ref name="by-einwohner"/>

In the [[Middle Ages]] Franconia, with its numerous towns, was separate and not part of other territories such as the [[Duchy of Bavaria]].<ref name="städte">Karten zur Geschichte Bayerns: Helmut Flachenecker, in: Edel und Frei. Franken im Mittelalter, ed. by Wolfgang Jahn / Jutta Schumann / Evamaria Brockhoff, Augsburg, 2004 (Veröffentlichungen zur Bayerischen Geschichte und Kultur 47/04), pp. 308–313, Cat. No. 134. See [http://www.hdbg.eu/karten/karten_detail_68.php House of Bavarian History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053138/http://www.hdbg.eu/karten/karten_detail_68.php |date=4 March 2016}}</ref> In the late medieval period it was dominated by mainly smaller towns with a few hundred to a thousand inhabitants, whose size barely distinguished them from the villages. Many towns grew up along large rivers or were founded by the prince-bishops and nobility. Even the [[Hohenstaufens]] operated in many towns, most of which later became [[Imperial Cities]] with a strong orientation towards Nuremberg.<ref name="städte" /> The smallest town in Franconia is Thuringia's [[Ummerstadt]] with 457 inhabitants.<ref name="thü-einw">{{cite web|url=https://tls.thueringen.de/datenbank/TabAnzeige.asp?GGglied=1&GGTabelle=lk&GGTabelle=gem&GGTabelle=erf&GGTabelle=vg&tabelle=gg000102%7C%7CBev%25F6lkerung+der+Gemeinden,+erf%25FCllenden+Gemeinden+und+Verwaltungsgemeinschaften+nach+Geschlecht&startpage=99&csv=&richtung=&sortiere=&vorspalte=0&tit2=&TIS=&SZDT=&anzahlH=-2&fontgr=12&mkro=&AnzeigeAuswahl=&XLS=&auswahlNr=&felder=0&felder=1&felder=2&zeit=2013%7C%7Cs1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912140115/http://www.tls.thueringen.de/datenbank/TabAnzeige.asp?GGglied=1&GGTabelle=lk&GGTabelle=gem&GGTabelle=erf&GGTabelle=vg&tabelle=gg000102%7C%7CBev%F6lkerung+der+Gemeinden%2C+erf%FCllenden+Gemeinden+und+Verwaltungsgemeinschaften+nach+Geschlecht&startpage=99&csv=&richtung=&sortiere=&vorspalte=0&tit2=&TIS=&SZDT=&anzahlH=-2&fontgr=12&mkro=&AnzeigeAuswahl=&XLS=&auswahlNr=&felder=0&felder=1&felder=2&zeit=2013%7C%7Cs1|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2014|title=Thüringer Landesamt für Statistik|first=Thüringer Landesamt für|last=Statistik|website=tls.thueringen.de}}</ref>

;25 largest cities in Franconia
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!2022<br />Rank
!City
!State
!2000
!2020
!2022
!growth<br />(2000–2020)
!
|-
| style="text-align:center"| {{0}}1.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Nuremberg]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.}}488,400
| {{0|0.}}515,543
| {{0|0.}}523,026
| style="text-align:right"| +5.6%
| [[File:Nuremberg panorama morning 3.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| {{0}}2.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Fürth]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.}}110,477
| {{0|0.}}128,223
| {{0|0.}}131,433 
| style="text-align:right"| +16.1%
| [[File:Fuerther Innenstadt Mrz 2020.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| {{0}}3.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Würzburg]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.}}127,966
| {{0|0.}}126,954
| {{0|0.}}127,810
| style="text-align:right"| -0.8%
| [[File:Dom R1.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| {{0}}4.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Erlangen]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.}}100,778
| {{0|0.}}112,385
| {{0|0.}}116,562
| style="text-align:right"| +11.5%
| [[File:Erlangen 08-2012.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| {{0}}5.
| style="text-align:left" | [[Bamberg]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}69,036
| {{0|0.0}}76,674
| {{0|0.0}}79,935 
| style="text-align:right"| +11.1%
| [[File:Bamberg aus der Flugzeugperspektive .jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| {{0}}6.
| style="text-align:left" | [[Bayreuth]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}74,153
| {{0|0.0}}74,048
| {{0|0.0}}74,506 
| style="text-align:right"| -0.1%
| [[File:Marktplatz Bayreuth.JPG|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| {{0}}7.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Aschaffenburg]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}67,592
| {{0|0.0}}70,858
| {{0|0.0}}72,444
| style="text-align:right"| +4.8%
| [[File:Aschaffenburg Innenstadt Juni 2021.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| {{0}}8.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Schweinfurt]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}54,325
| {{0|0.0}}53,319
| {{0|0.0}}54,675 
| style="text-align:right"| -1.9%
| [[File:Schweinfurt und der Main bei Nacht.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| {{0}}9.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Hof (Saale)]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}50,741
| {{0|0.0}}45,173
| {{0|0.0}}46,656 
| style="text-align:right"| -12.3%
| [[File:Hof, HO - Theresienstein - Pavillon - Innenstadt v N 02.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 10.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Ansbach]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}40,163
| {{0|0.0}}41,681
| {{0|0.0}}42,221 
| style="text-align:right"| +3.6%
| [[File:Ansbach, Martin-Luther-Platz-001.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 11.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Schwäbisch Hall]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Baden-Württemberg]]
| {{0|0.0}}35,192
| {{0|0.0}}40,679
| {{0|0.0}}41,898
| style="text-align:right"| +15.6%
| [[File:Schwäbisch Hall - Altstadt - Ansicht von SW (1).jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 12.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Coburg]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}43,277
| {{0|0.0}}40,842
| {{0|0.0}}41,842 
| style="text-align:right"| -6.2%
| [[File:Panorama Altstadt Coburg.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 13.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Schwabach]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}37,947
| {{0|0.0}}41,056
| {{0|0.0}}41,227
| style="text-align:right"| +7.6%
| [[File:Schwabach Altstadt Mai 2021 3.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 14.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Suhl]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Thuringia]]
| {{0|0.0}}48,025
| {{0|0.0}}36,395
| {{0|0.0}}37,009 
| style="text-align:right"| -24.2%
| [[File:Thuringia Suhl asv2020-07 img14 Cross Church.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 15.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Crailsheim]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Baden-Württemberg]]
| {{0|0.0}}32,063
| {{0|0.0}}34,661
| {{0|0.0}}35,760
| style="text-align:right"| +8.1%
| [[File:Crailsheim Süddeutschland 2010 1010416.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 16.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Forchheim]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}30,665
| {{0|0.0}}32,374
| {{0|0.0}}32,972 
| style="text-align:right"| +5.5%
| [[File:Forchheim Bahnhof Luftbild-20230410-RM-155340.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 17.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Lauf an der Pegnitz]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}25,770
| {{0|0.0}}26,434
| {{0|0.0}}26,420
| style="text-align:right"| +2.6%
| [[File:LaufPegn-HersbruckerTor.JPG|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 18.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Zirndorf]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}24,950
| {{0|0.0}}25,748
| {{0|0.0}}26,234
| style="text-align:right"| +3.2%
| [[File:Marktplatz Zirndorf 02.JPG|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 19.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Kulmbach]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}28,258
| {{0|0.0}}25,781
| {{0|0.0}}25,818
| style="text-align:right"| -8.8%
| [[File:Blick auf Kulmbach 06.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 20.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Öhringen]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Baden-Württemberg]]
| {{0|0.0}}22,208
| {{0|0.0}}24,925
| {{0|0.0}}25,388
| style="text-align:right"| +12,2%
| [[File:Öhringen - Altstadt - Hofgarten - Blick auf Schloss und Stiftskirchen-Türme.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 21.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Roth, Bavaria|Roth]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}24,858
| {{0|0.0}}25,323
| {{0|0.0}}25,367
| style="text-align:right"| +1,9%
| [[File:Roth Schloss Ratibor 20110501.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 22.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Meiningen]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Thuringia]]
| {{0|0.0}}22,240
| {{0|0.0}}25,097
| {{0|0.0}}25,177
| style="text-align:right"| +12,8%
| [[File:Dietz 10 2016.JPG|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 23.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Bad Mergentheim]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Baden-Württemberg]]
| {{0|0.0}}22,172 
| {{0|0.0}}24,034
| {{0|0.0}}24,564
| style="text-align:right"| +8,4%
| [[File:Bad-Mergentheim-Zwillingshauser.JPG|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 24.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Herzogenaurach]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Bavaria]]
| {{0|0.0}}23,108
| {{0|0.0}}23,616
| {{0|0.0}}24,404
| style="text-align:right"| +2.2%
| [[File:Herzogenaurach Hauptstraße Fehnturm.jpg|100px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"| 25.
| style="text-align:left"| [[Sonneberg]]
| style="text-align:center"| [[Thuringia]]
| {{0|0.0}}24,837
| {{0|0.0}}23,229
| {{0|0.0}}23,507
| style="text-align:right"| –6.5%
| [[File:Rathaus Sonneberg2.jpg|100px]]
|}

===Language===
[[File:Ostfraenkischer Sprachraum.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Distribution of the East Franconian dialects with transition zones]]
German is the [[official language]] and also the ''[[lingua franca]]''. Numerous other languages are spoken that come from other language regions or the native countries of immigrants.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

[[East Franconian German]], the dialect spoken in Franconia, is entirely different from the [[Austro-Bavarian]] dialect continuum which is mainly to be found in the Upper Palatinate, Upper and Lower Bavaria, the greater part of Austria and some parts of Northern Italy. This is one of the reasons why hardly any Franconian would call himself a Bavarian. Even though there is no Franconian state, red and white are regarded as the state colours (''[[Landesfarben]]'') of Franconia (compared to blue and white for Bavaria).<ref>[http://www.tagderfranken2013.de/files/Informationen/Wappenkunde.pdf ''Kleine fränkische Wappen- und Flaggenkunde''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224104815/http://www.tagderfranken2013.de/files/Informationen/Wappenkunde.pdf#|date=2013-12-24}}: www.tagderfranken2013.de, retrieved 22 December 2013 (pdf)</ref>

=== Religions ===
==== Christianity ====
The proportion of [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]] and [[Protestant Church in Germany|Protestants]] among the population of Franconia is roughly the same, but varies from region to region.<ref name="religion">Karten zur Geschichte Bayerns: ''Überwiegend protestantische und überwiegend katholische Gebiete in Franken.'' In: Kirmeier, Josef et al. (ed.): ''200 Jahre Franken in Bayern.'' Aufsatzband zur Landesausstellung 2006, Augsburg, 2006 (Veröffentlichungen zur Bayerischen Geschichte und Kultur 51), see [http://www.hdbg.eu/karten/karten_detail_114.php House of Bavarian History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305204518/http://www.hdbg.eu/karten/karten_detail_114.php |date=5 March 2016}}</ref> Large areas of Middle and Upper Franconia are mainly Protestant.<ref name="religion" />

The [[religious denomination|denominational]] orientation today still reflects the territorial structure of Franconia at the time of the Franconian Circle. For example, regions, that used to be under the care of the bishoprics of Bamberg, Würzburg and Eichstätt, are mainly Catholic today. On the other hand, all former territories of the imperial cities and the margraviates of Ansbach and Bayreuth have remained mainly Lutheran. The region around the city of [[Erlangen]], which belonged to the Margraviate of Bayreuth, was a refuge for the [[Huguenot]]s who fled there after the [[St Bartholomew's Day massacre]] in France.<ref>Ferdinand Lammers, ''Geschichte der Stadt Erlangen'', Erlangen, 1834 (1997 reprint), pg. 17.</ref>

Following the success of [[the Reformation]] in Nuremberg under [[Andreas Osiander]], it had been an exclusively Protestant imperial city and belonged to the Protestant league of imperial states, the [[Corpus Evangelicorum]], within the ''[[Reichstag (Holy Roman Empire)|Reichstag]]''.<ref name="lex">{{Stadtlexikon Nürnberg}}</ref> Subsequent historical events such as the [[Flight and expulsion of Germans (1944–50)|stream of refugees]] after the [[Second World War]] and the increasing mobility of the population has since blurred denominational geographical boundaries, however.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

The influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe has also seen the establishment of an [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] community in Franconia. The Romanian Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, Central and Northern Europe has its headquarters in Nuremberg.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

==== Judaism ====
Before the [[Nazi era]], Franconia was a region with significant Jewish communities, most of whom were [[Ashkenazi Jews]].<ref name="juden1">Steven M. Lowenstein: ''Alltag und Tradition: Eine fränkisch-jüdische Geographie.'' In: ''Die Juden in Franken.'' (= ''Studien zur Jüdischen Geschichte und Kultur in Bayern'', Volume 5) Munich, 2012 pp.&nbsp;5-24, here: pg. 5.</ref> The first Jewish communities appeared in Franconia in the 12th and 13th&nbsp;centuries and thus later than, for example, in [[Regensburg]]. In the Middle Ages, Franconia was a stronghold of [[Torah]] studies. But Franconia also began to exclude the Jewish populations particularly early on. For example, there were two Jewish massacres – the [[Rintfleisch massacres]] of 1298 and the [[Armleder Uprising]] of 1336-1338 – and in the 15th and 16th centuries, many cities exiled their Jewish populations, which is why many Jews settled in rural communities. Franconia also rose to early prominence in the discrimination against Jews during the Nazi era.<ref name="juden2">Steven M. Lowenstein: ''Alltag und Tradition: Eine fränkisch-jüdische Geographie.'' In: ''Die Juden in Franken.'' (= ''Studien zur Jüdischen Geschichte und Kultur in Bayern'', Volume 5) Munich, 2012 pp. 5-24, here: pp. 5-6.</ref> One of the first casualties of the organized Nazi persecution of Jews took place on 21 March in [[Künzelsau]] and on 25–26 March 1933 in [[Creglingen]], where police and [[Sturmabteilung|SA]] troops under the leadership of ''[[Standartenführer]]'' Fritz Klein led so-called "weapons search operations".<ref>[http://www.stimme.de/hohenlohe/nachrichten/sonstige-Hohenloher-waren-die-ersten-Opfer;art1919,1207588 ''Hohenloher waren die ersten Opfer''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917184855/http://www.stimme.de/hohenlohe/nachrichten/sonstige-Hohenloher-waren-die-ersten-Opfer;art1919,1207588 |date=17: September 2016}} at stimme.de</ref><ref>Hartwig Behr, Horst&nbsp;F. Rupp: ''Vom Leben und Sterben. Juden in Creglingen.'' 2nd edition. Königshausen and Neumann, Würzburg. 2001; {{ISBN|3-8260-2226-2}}</ref>

In 1818, about 65% of Bavarian Jews lived in the Bavarian part of Franconia;<ref name="juden3">Steven M. Lowenstein: ''Alltag und Tradition: Eine fränkisch-jüdische Geographie.'' In: ''Die Juden in Franken.'' (= ''Studien zur Jüdischen Geschichte und Kultur in Bayern'', Volume 5) Munich, 2012 pp. 5-24, here: pg. 14</ref> today there are Jewish communities only in Bamberg, Bayreuth, Erlangen, Fürth, Hof, Nuremberg and Würzburg<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110417123051/http://ikg-bayern.de/rsgem_1.html ''Jewish communities in Bavaria''], State Association of Jewish communities in Bavaria, retrieved 24 May 2014.</ref> as well as in Heilbronn in Baden-Württemberg.

==== Islam ====
Adherents of Islam continue to grow, especially in the larger cities, due to the influx of ''[[gastarbeiter]]s'' and other [[immigrant]]s from Muslim countries. As a result, many "backyard mosques" (''Hinterhofmoscheen'') have sprung up, which are gradually being replaced by purpose-built [[mosque]]s.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

===Culture===
Franconia has almost 300 small breweries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.franconiabeerguide.com|title=Online guide to Bamberg and the Breweries of Franconia|first=Fred|last=Waltman|website=www.franconiabeerguide.com|access-date=15 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702230747/http://www.franconiabeerguide.com/|archive-date=2 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The northwestern areas around the river [[Main (river)|Main]], known as the [[Franconia (wine region)|Franconian wine region]], also produce a lot of wine. [[Franconian cuisine|Food typical for the region]] includes [[Bratwurst]] (especially the famous small Nuremberger Bratwurst), [[Schäufele|''Schäuferla'']] (roast pork shoulder), [[Sauerbraten]], dumplings, potato salad (typically made with [[broth]]), fried [[Common carp|carp]], [[Obatzda|Grupfder]] (seasoned cheese spread), ''Presssack'' (a type of [[Head cheese]]: pressed or jellied pork trimmings, like tongue, cheeks, etc.). [[Lebkuchen]] are a traditional type of gingerbread, and [[Knieküchle|Küchla]] is a sort of sweet fried pastry.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

<gallery>
File:Schaeufele 01.jpg| ''[[Schäufele|Schäuferla]]''
File:Nuernberg Drei im Weckla 001.JPG|Three Nuremberger [[Bratwurst|Bratwürste]] in a roll (''Drei im Weckla'')
File:GravityTap.jpg|Schlenkerla [[Smoked beer|Rauchbier]] straight from the cask
File:Bocksbeutels.jpg|[[Franconia (wine region)|Franconian wine]] is traditionally filled up in [[Bocksbeutel]]s
File:Kroder Karpfen.JPG|Fried [[carp]] with beer and salad
</gallery>

=== Tourism ===
[[File:Rothenburg BW 4.JPG|thumb|One of the best known tourist attractions in Franconia is the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber]]
[[File:Schlosslangenburgmsu.jpg|thumb|Schloss Langenburg (Baden-Württemberg) lies on the [[Castle Road]]]]
The [[tourism]] industry stresses the romantic character of Franconia,<ref>[http://www.romantisches-franken.de/ www.romantisches-franken.de]; retrieved 23 May 2014.</ref><ref name="franken-tourismus" /> including the picturesque countryside and many historic buildings.<ref name="franken-tourismus">''Franken. Allianz Reiseführer'', 2011, pp. 12ff</ref> [[Franconian wine]], the rich tradition of beer brewing and local culinary specialties, such as ''Lebküchnerei'' or [[gingerbread]] baking, are also a draw.<ref name="franken-tourismus" /><ref>[http://www.frankentourismus.de/kulinarisch/ www.frankentourismus.de] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829211647/http://www.frankentourismus.de/kulinarisch/ |date=29 August 2016}}; retrieved 23 May 2014.</ref> The [[Romantic Road]] links several tourist points in western Franconia.<ref>[http://www.romantischestrasse.de/ www.romantischestrasse.de] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829134151/http://www.romantischestrasse.de/ |date=29 August 2016}}; retrieved 23 May 2014.</ref> The [[Castle Road]] runs through the Franconian region with its numerous castles and other medieval structures.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

[[Cycling]] along the large rivers is very popular, for example along the [[Main Cycleway]], the first German long distance cycleway to be awarded five stars by the [[Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club]] (ADFC). The [[Tauber Valley Cycleway]], a 101 kilometre-long cycle trail in [[Tauber Franconia]], was the second German long distance cycleway to receive five stars.<ref>Touristikgemeinschaft Liebliches Taubertal: [http://www.swp.de/bad_mergentheim/lokales/main_tauber_kreis/art5632,204385 ''Fünf Sterne für den "Klassiker"''] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120912130640/http://www.swp.de/bad_mergentheim/lokales/main_tauber_kreis/art5632,204385|date=12 September 2012}} In: [[Tauber-Zeitung]]. Online at www.swp.de. 31 October 2009; retrieved 6 April 2010.</ref>