Obertshausen combines tangible traces of local history with a distinctive landscape theme. The castle in the Hain, the local history museum, the Herz-Jesu Basilica and the history trail offer different historical perspectives; the Hengster nature reserve is a reminder of a former moorland landscape. If you are interested in culture and nature, you will find several clearly distinct themes here.
Castle in the Hain: dimensions and first mention
Only a few blocks of stone and remnants of walls remain of the castle in the Hain. The castle wall, about 2.20 metres wide, enclosed an area measuring 28 by 31 metres; a water-filled moat ran in front of it, and a tower stood in the middle. The castle was first mentioned in a document in 1576. Its remains are considered the oldest surviving settlement remains in Obertshausen. The description of the site and its first documented mention offer two different insights: one shows its architectural scale, while the other reflects the historical record.
Local history museum, basilica and history trail
The Obertshausen Local History Museum is housed in the “Karl-Mayer-Haus” workshop museum at Karl-Mayer-Straße 10. Check the opening hours before your visit. A permanent exhibition room is devoted to the Hengster, described there as Germany’s oldest nature reserve. Since 2018, the Herz-Jesu Basilica in Obertshausen has also been a pilgrimage church.
The Obertshausen History Trail passes several stops with information panels. Each location has a QR code linking to further information on the website. The trail is intended to bring local history to life in the townscape. The offerings differ in form: the museum centres on a permanent exhibition, the history trail distributes information across several stops, and the basilica has also been a pilgrimage church since 2018.
Hengster as a landscape theme
The Hengster nature reserve covers 8.3 hectares, is a remnant of a former moorland landscape and lies within the municipal area of Obertshausen. Alongside the castle’s settlement remains, it represents a very different local theme: the landscape as it once was. Those interested in local history can view the archaeological remains and the moorland remnant as different perspectives on Obertshausen.
More themes in the wider Offenbach destination
The wider Offenbach destination offers more cultural and nature-related themes, each in its own location. In Seligenstadt, the Einhard Basilica is considered one of the most important churches of the Carolingian era on German soil and is the town’s present-day landmark. The RegioMuseum in Seligenstadt presents prehistory and early history, folklore, arts and crafts, painting and sculpture from the 15th to the 18th century, as well as the history of the town and abbey.
In Egelsbach, the Evolution Trail is a 1.1-kilometre educational trail with 19 signs about significant developments or events in evolution. It begins directly opposite the entrance to Egelsbach airfield; part of the trail overlaps with the Rhine-Main Regional Park Route. Regional food culture is also among the themes in the wider Offenbach destination: along the Offenbach Town and District regional loop of the Hessian Apple Wine and Orchard Route, restaurants invite visitors to enjoy Hessian specialities. Apple wine served in a ribbed glass is typical.
Discover more destinations: Rodgau, Hainburg, Heusenstamm, Langen, Rödermark, Egelsbach, Neu Isenburg, Dietzenbach
Go to the wider travel overview: Offenbach.
