Frankenberg (Eder) combines architectural history with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, including a town hiking trail, a wildlife park and an indoor and outdoor swimming pool. Its sights and activities each offer something different.
Town Hall and Architectural History
The late Gothic Historic Town Hall is in the old town, between Liebfrauenkirche and Steinhaus, and has ten towers. Construction of the third town hall began in 1509; it was intended to resemble a predecessor that had burned down. On the south, north and west sides, corbels—that is, projecting supports—support the central bays. They are considered masterpieces of medieval woodcarving. The town hall thus brings together a specific architectural history and an especially elaborate architectural detail.
Built in the 13th century, the Witch Tower is the only surviving one of the 20 defensive towers that originally formed part of Frankenberg’s town fortifications. Around 50 steps lead to the platform at its top. If you plan to climb it, check before your visit whether access will be possible. Liebfrauenkirche also has a place in the town’s history: the present building dates from 1286 onwards. Its Marian Chapel is a late Gothic gem, but can only be accessed from the outside. The former St. Georgenberg monastery now houses the Museum in the Frankenberg Monastery.
The Town Hall Throughout the Day
The Historic Town Hall’s carillon was installed in 1999 and can be heard daily between 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. If you plan your visit around these times, check the information before you travel. On Saturday mornings, the Landfrauenmarkt (Rural Women’s Market) takes place in the Historic Town Hall’s Schirn from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. As market times can change, check the date before your trip as well.
Circular Trail, Wildlife Park and Other Activities
The Frankenberger Blickwinkel premium town hiking trail is a circular route around nine kilometers long. It combines the town’s sights with experiences in nature. This offers a different focus from visiting individual buildings: the town and nature come together on a marked circular trail, whose length you can take into account when planning your day.
At Frankenberg Wildlife Park, visitors can see wild boar, deer, sheep and goats up close. Admission is free. Ederberglandbad has an indoor and an outdoor swimming pool and is close to the Frankenberg recreation center known as “Teichgelände.” If you plan to go swimming, check visiting hours and access in advance.
At the entrance to the Hohenäcker quarry near Frankenberg-Rodenbach, there is an information pavilion and a fossil hammering area for children. Visitors need to bring a hammer or similar tool for the fossil hammering area. This is a specific excursion destination for anyone interested in fossils; remember to include the tool in your plans.
A Longer Hiking Option in Waldeck-Frankenberg
In the wider Waldeck-Frankenberg destination, the 66-kilometer Urwaldsteig Edersee offers a longer hiking option. It can be completed in eight stages or as part of a three-day ranger-led hike, with each stage covering around 22 kilometers. Compared with the roughly nine-kilometer Frankenberger Blickwinkel, these are two different ways to plan: a circular trail in Frankenberg and a multi-day hiking option at the regional level.
Discover more destinations: Willersdorf, Rengershausen, Röddenau, Frankenau, Hatzfeld, Battenberg, Rosenthal, Allendorf.
Back to the main travel overview: Waldeck-Frankenberg.
