In Bickenbach, a house with a history of varied uses, a monument in the woods and a former hunting lodge offer tangible starting points for exploring local history. The three topics differ in their construction dates, functions and ways of commemorating the past.
History in Bickenbach
Built in 1584, the Kolbsches Haus is now considered probably the oldest house in the community. It once housed a cooper’s workshop; it was also a farm, an inn and a butcher’s shop. Alongside its construction date, the house’s history is interesting for its varied uses, ranging from craftsmanship and agriculture to hospitality and butchery. Anyone exploring Bickenbach’s past can therefore consider the building’s age and its history of use as two distinct aspects.
The Kaiserstein stands in the middle of the woods in Bickenbach’s northern district. The monument is said to commemorate a hunting event from 1745. The former Bickenbach hunting lodge was built in 1720/21 by Landgrave Ernst Ludwig of Hesse-Darmstadt. Both topics touch on historical links to hunting, but offer different points of interest: one is a monument commemorating an event, the other a former castle with a stated construction date and builder. This makes it possible to organise local history by buildings and memorial sites without equating the two.
Cultural life in Bickenbach
Since 2001, the Cultural Working Group has organised and coordinated cultural activities in Bickenbach. This means that, alongside local history, the cultural programme can also help you plan your stay. Specific events may vary. If a particular date matters for your trip, check the current programme in advance.
Landscapes and trails in the Darmstadt-Dieburg destination
The wider Darmstadt-Dieburg destination includes the Hessian Rhine Plain, the Lower Main Plain, the Messel Hills, the Reinheim Hills, the Vorderer Odenwald and the Sandstone Odenwald. Within the district, the Bergstraße forms a striking transition between the Rhine Plain and the Odenwald. These landscapes offer different regional focal points: you can make your choice based on whether you would rather focus on plains, rolling hills or the Odenwald.
The available activities also differ. The wider Darmstadt-Dieburg destination has an extensive network of well-signposted trails for hiking, walking and Nordic walking. For cycling, the family route runs for around 40 kilometres from Erzhausen to Seeheim-Jugenheim. Themed cycle routes follow the small rivers Modau and Gersprenz, and there is also a leisure cycle route. This lets you consider walking trails and cycling options as distinct aspects of regional planning, rather than combining them into a single route.
Nature and cultural attractions in the Darmstadt-Dieburg destination
The wider Darmstadt-Dieburg destination offers nature experiences at places such as Reinheimer Teich and Pfungstädter Moor. Reinheimer Teich lies in the north-western foothills of the Odenwald, is surrounded by meadows and fields, and can be enjoyed along a circular trail and from numerous benches. Pfungstädter Moor consists of three parts, covers around 103 hectares and can be explored on designated paths. These differences can help you choose: a circular trail and benches are part of the visitor experience described for one site, while designated paths are available in the other, a protected area made up of several parts.
Another focus is the history of the Earth: the Messel Pit UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fossil deposit containing uniquely preserved and diverse fossils that document the Earth’s evolutionary history 47 million years ago. The visitor centre explains the history and significance of Germany’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Groß-Umstadt Castle takes the visitor in a different historical direction: it developed from a former moated castle, was expanded into a residential palace in the late Middle Ages and was one of Groß-Umstadt’s seven former noble residences. The Gruberhof Museum complements these topics with year-round events and a varied exhibition on agriculture and craftsmanship.
Group tours in Groß-Umstadt
In the wider Darmstadt-Dieburg destination, the town of Groß-Umstadt offers group tours of the Kleine Bergstraße from January to December. From September to October, it also offers group tours with Rainer Bausch on the theme of the autumn fruit and wine season, which include a wine tasting. The offers differ in both subject and timing: tours of the Kleine Bergstraße are described as available from January to December, while the autumn fruit and wine season is seasonal. Dates and booking details may change, so check them before making plans.
Discover more destinations: Babenhausen, Darmstadt, Roßdorf, Griesheim, Reinheim, Otzberg, Seeheim-Jugenheim, Dieburg
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