Hayn Castle, a museum in the heart of the castle grounds and an architectural ensemble dating from the early 20th century give Dreieich a range of cultural points of interest. The city also hosts annual events and has trails where you can explore the landscape of Dreieich and its districts on foot or by bike. Which of these aspects shapes your stay depends on whether you are mainly interested in history, architecture, art or getting active.
Hayn Castle and its history
Hayn Castle developed from an Ottonian hunting lodge that was already in existence in the late 11th century. The first phase of expansion, which turned it into a tower castle, was followed in the 13th century by its expansion into the ancestral castle of the House of Hagen-MĂĽnzenberg under the Hohenstaufen. The history of the site therefore comprises two clearly distinct periods: its early development from a hunting lodge and its later role as an ancestral castle. The Dreieich Museum is located in the heart of the castle grounds. History and the museum are thus rooted in the same place, without needing to conflate separate attractions.
Architecture and historic townscapes
The Buchschlag villa colony is an architectural and urban ensemble dating from the beginning of the 20th century. Architecture enthusiasts can appreciate both aspects: the individual villas as buildings and the ensemble as an urban context. Buchschlag is a district of Dreieich; the villa colony represents a different historical period from the medieval castle grounds.
Dreieichenhain's old town also has its own distinctive character. It is on the German Timber-Frame Road and is one of Dreieich's important historic treasures. Those who explore the city from several perspectives will also find a historic townscape connected to the timber-frame route, alongside the castle and the ensemble in Buchschlag.
Annual events
In Buchschlag, the Buchschlag Historical Society has been organizing “Open Gardens Buchschlag” for more than ten years. The garden festival takes place annually over a weekend in June and has become the region's largest privately organized garden festival. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the specific dates for the year in question.
“Jazz in the Castle” brings jazz to the castle courtyard once a year in summer; the tradition has lasted for more than forty years. The Dreieich Art Days offer a different experience: every year, national and international artists present their work there. These different timeframes can help you plan your trip: Open Gardens takes place over a weekend in June, while Jazz in the Castle is scheduled for a date in summer. Programmes and dates may vary.
Trails, art and swimming
The Hessian Apple Wine and Orchard Meadow Route is a way to explore the landscape of Dreieich and its districts on foot or by bike. In the wider region, the route brings together nature conservation, tourist attractions, regional agriculture, gastronomy and local crafts. For getting around Dreieich itself, routes numbered 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and 17 are also relevant: they pass through Dreieich territory. Check the latest route information before setting out.
The Pole Pyramid is worth a short detour. The artwork “Auf der Hub” marks a sightline to the Frankfurt skyline as a walk-through landscape architecture feature. Both offer a way to experience art in the landscape, but each is linked to its own named artwork.
For swimming, Dreieich has a family-friendly indoor pool with a sauna, as well as the Parkschwimmbad outdoor pool. The two facilities offer different types of swimming; check current operating information before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Dudenhofen, Egelsbach, Langen, Neu Isenburg, Dietzenbach, Rodgau, Heusenstamm, Mainhausen.
For the main travel overview: Offenbach.
