Bayreuth (pronounced by-ROYT), 40 mi/65 km northeast of Nuremberg, is in many people's minds synonymous with the composer Richard Wagner. Every year, beginning in late July, this historic town hosts the Bayreuth Festival, during which a selection of the composer's operas are performed in the spectacular Bayreuth Festival Hall. Reservations (in writing only) should be made well in advance; it usually takes years to get a ticket, which are allocated by lottery.
While there, you can also visit Wagner's home and grave, as well as countless shrines related to his life. Bayreuth's beautiful Margravial Opera House—built between 1745 and 1748 in rococo style—is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
About 3 mi/5 km west of Bayreuth is the baroque Eremitage park, a beautiful, 18th-century summer castle with magnificent gardens.
The central train station offers connections to Nuremberg (45 minutes).
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