Narrow lanes, medieval half-timbered houses and distinctive churches shape Großostheim’s historic town center. There is also the Bachgau Museum and an outdoor swimming pool with heated pools. Whether you want to choose between local history and swimming or include both in your travel plans, you will find two very different sides of the town here.

Local History in Lanes, Churches and Chapels

In Großostheim’s historic town center, narrow lanes and medieval half-timbered houses meet distinctive churches and chapels. St. Peter and Paul is a notable landmark: the church was rebuilt around 1250/70 under the patronage of the Electorate of Mainz and is popularly known as “Alt Keasch.” The name refers to the local term; the building’s history dates back to a much earlier period.

The Drippels Chapel is also associated with a particular work of art. Its carved home altar, the “Großostheim Nativity,” depicts the birth of Christ. The original is now housed in the Bachgau Museum. If you are interested in the chapel and the altar, you can distinguish between two different stages in the local history: the altar’s original setting and its present-day location.

Discover the Bachgau Museum

Housed in the Nöthigsgut, the Bachgau Museum presents the history and life of the people of the Bachgau region across 17 sections, from prehistory to the present day. Its regional focus makes a visit a complement to exploring local history: the museum spans a broad period, while “Alt Keasch,” the chapels and the half-timbered houses offer specific historical points of interest in the town center. Depending on your interests, you can look at individual buildings and works of art or learn about the wider history of the Bachgau region.

Seasonal Swimming at the Outdoor Pool

For a different option when planning your trip, Großostheim’s outdoor swimming pool has heated pools, a large sunbathing lawn, a slide, a diving tower and a children’s pool. There is something for swimming, relaxing on the lawn, playing and diving. The usual season runs from mid-May to mid-September, so swimming is a seasonal highlight rather than a year-round alternative to the historic sights.

Cycling and Hiking Options in the Wider Aschaffenburg Destination

The wider Aschaffenburg destination offers a range of cycling options. The family-friendly Main Cycle Route runs through the Main valley in Aschaffenburg district and is well signposted. The Kahltal-Spessart Cycle Route, which also runs through the district’s landscapes, is signposted as well. If you are looking for a challenging cross-country route, the eastern Hochspessart has four routes signposted as Bikewald-Spessart routes. Check the signs and local route conditions before setting off.

The “Denk mal – Rad mal” app offers experience-based cycling tours in nature in the district, combined with stories, quizzes and information about sights. Before your trip, check whether the app and the digital content you want are available. For hiking, Spessart Trails 1, 2 and 3 run through the district; they have been awarded the German Hiking Association’s “Quality Trails Wanderbares Deutschland” designation four times. The Eselsweg is a multi-day tour in the district. There are also more than 30 hiking routes belonging to the Cultural Trails of the Archaeological Spessart Project. The number of these routes may change.

Getting Around and Franconian Cuisine in the Wider Aschaffenburg Destination

The landscape also gives the wider Aschaffenburg destination its own character: the Spessart in Aschaffenburg district is part of Germany’s largest contiguous mixed-forest area. Regional trains, Regional Express trains, InterCity trains and InterCityExpress trains stop at Aschaffenburg station. Schlossplatz and Johannisburg Castle are less than a ten-minute walk from the station; check the current timetable when planning your journey.

Guided tours in the wider Aschaffenburg destination include tours of Aschaffenburg’s old town and Schönbusch English Landscape Park that are adapted to the needs of people with limited mobility. Tour availability may change. Numerous inns and hotels in Aschaffenburg district serve Franconian specialties and Äppelwoi from local cider presses. These regional offerings provide further options for your trip, alongside local history and the seasonal outdoor pool.

Discover more destinations: Schöllkrippen, Mespelbrunn, Kleinkahl, Hösbach, Wiesen, Alzenau, Kleinostheim, Rohrbrunner Forst

Back to the wider travel overview: Aschaffenburg.