The modern town of Frankenberg (Eder) in the Waldeck-Frankenberg District in Hesse is not to be confused with the other Frankenberg that can be found in Saxony.
Despite a fire in 1476 that destroyed just about the entire village, including the town’s church and Town Hall, the Middle Ages seemed to be good to the town economically.
After the fire, the merchants and the craftsmen of the town went right to work restoring the Liebfrauenkirche, which was originally built in the 1200s, that had been completely gutted. Gone was the 10-towered Town Hall (each tower represented one of the town’s guilds) and was quickly rebuilt to look the same as its predecessor.
The fire didn’t seem to hurt one of the town’s oldest buildings, the Steinhaus (Stone House), dating back to 1240. Built around the same time is the St. Georgenberg Monastery with additions made to the complex up until the 17th century. The former Cistercian Monastery is now home to the town’s local history museum.
Frankenberg didn’t receive too much damage from the Second World War but did undergo a redevelopment in the 1960’s. Many half-timbered homes were demolished, but there are still some beautifully restored ones remaining on Neue Gasse (New Lane) and Steingasse (Stone Lane).
The Hexenturm (Witches Tower) still stands from the 13th century with walls almost 9 feet thick! Of the 25 towers that protected Frankenberg through the centuries, the Hexenturm is the only one that remains today.
Frankenberg does provide you with something other than historical old buildings, though. It’s got its own swimming pool, miniature golf course, and the Ederberglandhalle, the cultural center of town.
There are also a few yearly festivals in town, including the Maistadtfest (May Town Festival) and Nightgroove, a pub festival.
Now relax, enjoy the view, and have a beer! :-)
