Kiedrich brings together historic cultural landmarks, wine and trails through the landscape. You can plan your trip around different interests: art and architectural history, an event or a walking tour. Notable features include a Madonna from the 14th century, a chapel with a historic function and an organ dating from around 1500.
Cultural History and Music
The Kiedrich Madonna dates from around 1330 to 1350 and has been preserved in Kiedrich. Opposite St. Valentinus Church stands St. Michael’s Chapel. It was built in 1440/44 as a mortuary chapel in the churchyard, with an ossuary (charnel house). In chronological order, these cultural landmarks span the Madonna of the 14th century, the chapel of the 15th century and the organ from around 1500.
Germany’s oldest playable organ is preserved in Kiedrich. It dates from around 1500 and has approximately 960 pipes. Its approximate date and number of pipes offer two specific points of reference for those interested in cultural history. Another musical event is the choral High Mass with the Kiedrich choirboys: it takes place on the second, third and fourth Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Services are not held during the Hessian school holidays.
Wine and Event Dates
The Kiedrich Riesling Festival is one of the highlights of the annual events calendar and takes place every year on the third weekend in May. Check current event dates before your trip. The Schnorrer Festival takes place in Kiedrich on the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday. These events offer different reasons to plan your visit around the calendar; the Riesling Festival is specifically held every year on the third weekend in May.
A specific place associated with wine is the Kiedrich wine-tasting stand. It is located in the Wasseros vineyard, below the winery building at Weingut Weil. There is seating around the stand. This gives the wine-tasting stand a precise location, while the Riesling Festival is a recurring event in the annual calendar.
Views and Hiking
From the barbecue area in front of the tower of Scharfenstein Castle ruins, you can look out over the vineyards towards Kiedrich and the Rhine Valley. For safety reasons, the keep is not open to everyone. You can enquire by calling 06123/9050-11; the keep is closed during the bird-breeding season, from mid-March to mid-July. Check access arrangements before visiting.
The Kiedrich forest hiking trail is an approximately 18-kilometre route from the cultural sights of the Gothic wine-growing village, through vineyards and into the nearby forest. It offers a different way to experience the landscape than the view from the barbecue area: the focus here is on a longer route through several types of landscape. The distance is approximate; check current conditions before setting out. This lets you choose between a viewpoint overlooking Kiedrich and the Rhine Valley and a longer hike.
Discover more destinations: Aarbergen, Heidenrod, Schlangenbad, Oestrich-Winkel, Waldems, Taunusstein, Lorch, Bad Schwalbach
Return to the main travel overview: Rheingau-Taunus District.
