Glashütten (Taunus) — Finding Romans In The Taunus

The further and further down the list of German towns I go, I just have to shake my head in wonder. Seriously, how many towns of Glahütten could there possibly be? Really, three places named Glashütten in Hesse alone? Was I forever going to be cursed to keep going to the wrong one?

Thankfully I’ve managed to find the correct one, whose proper name is Glashütten (Taunus). Oh joy, I’m here in the Taunus Nature Park. This means I’m blessed with idyllic countryside as I make rounds about town.

Always a sucker for history, I’m totally enamored with the thought that Romans, Franks, and Alamanni once roamed this land.

Wait a second… I kind of have that wrong — the village of Schloßborn wasn’t actually within the borders of the Roman Empire, so maybe those roamin’ Romans didn’t cross over their own border. ;-)

But, with Glashütten (Taunus) being at the far reaches of the Empire, you’ll find the Klein Kastell Maisel (circa 160 A.D.) nearby. This UNESCO area was once on the Upper Germanic Limes — and today it’s on the Limes Hiking Trail and the German Limes Road. A good way to see some of the Roman Watchtowers in the region, too.

After the Romans picked up and left, the Dark Ages were ushered in. Sadly there isn’t anything from the early Middle Ages, but you’ll find an old tower and part of the Ringmauer from a 14th century Jagdschloss (a Hunting Lodge). This must’ve been one hell of a castle, the walls are some 5 feet thick and 7 feet high.

As charming as the old castle is, it is Glashütten’s Catholic Church that caught my attention. Perhaps it was the gnarled tree branches, maybe it was the wide tower with its clock — who knows, I just thought it was really pretty from the outside all covered with snow.

I know, not everyone likes it cold and snowy… so then you should come when its warmer, when you’re able to go swimming, get in on a game of basketball, or hike out to see the Weilquelle — where the Weil River starts before ending 46 kilometers later at the Lahn River.

You know, even if this Glashütten was the wrong one — I’d have stayed anyway; and I think you should, too.

 

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