Rodenbach brings together Celtic heritage, art along the sculpture trail and various ways to stay active on foot, by bike or while swimming. The municipality is located in the district of Kaiserslautern in Rhineland-Palatinate. When planning a stay, it helps to consider the different options: group tours of the princely tomb must be arranged in advance, while circular and themed trails, pilgrimage routes and cycling offer other ways to explore.
Celtic Heritage and Landmarks
The princely tomb of Rodenbach is a Celtic burial mound discovered in 1874 and dated to around 400 BC. The burial chamber and grave goods were reconstructed in 2000. The dates therefore refer to different milestones: the dating of the tomb, its discovery and its later reconstruction. Group tours of the princely tomb can be arranged in advance.
For travel by bus, take route 140 to the Rodenbach Schwimmbad stop; from there, walk along Sportstraße to the princely tomb. Check the connection before setting out, as the route may change.
Another landmark is the bell tower, built in 1911. The village forge is also part of the historic townscape: it is still operational, and tours are available by arrangement. Alongside the archaeological site, these offer two further, very different insights into Rodenbach’s history.
Sculpture Trail, Hiking Trails and Nature
The Rodenbach Sculpture Trail is an easy, three-kilometre circular route. It starts at the village square on Turnerstraße. Along the way, visitors can discover 19 artworks on the themes of water and the Celts. Its length and circular route give the walk a clear structure, while its theme connects the artworks with another part of the local cultural heritage.
The Prehistory and Early History hiking trail takes a different thematic approach, bringing together landscape, art and history. The Krausen Bruch nature reserve in Rodenbach is notable for its distinctive flora and fauna. These options appeal to different interests: the sculpture trail combines art themes with a circular walk, while the themed hiking trail focuses on landscape and history.
Pilgrimage Route and Cycling Route
The Monastery Route of the Way of St. James passes through Rodenbach, Weilerbach and Mackenbach. The Catholic Church in Rodenbach is a pilgrim stamp station on this route. For cyclists, a section of the Barbarossa Cycle Route runs through Mackenbach, Weilerbach and Rodenbach. The two routes therefore differ in focus: the Monastery Route is a pilgrimage route, while the Barbarossa Cycle Route is a cycling connection through the three towns.
Swimming and Mini Golf
The Rodenbach outdoor forest pool has a 50-metre pool with six lanes and diving facilities. Below the outdoor forest pool, in a wooded area, is the Rodenbach mini golf course with 18 holes. This offers a choice of two different leisure activities: swimming and diving at the pool, or a round on the mini golf course. You can alternate between culture, activity on the trails and local leisure facilities when planning your stay, while keeping their different focuses distinct.
Discover more destinations: Steinwenden, Schwedelbach, Krickenbach, Landstuhl, Frankenstein, Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Lambsborn, Hochspeyer.
See the main travel guide: Kaiserslautern.
