Herbstein — Lots To Enjoy Over A Volcano

Think about this for a minute… If you were standing within the Naturpark Hoher Vogelsberg, you’re standing on a volcano. A volcano. Intriguing, fascinating, and scary all at the same time, wouldn’t you say? Where can you get this kind of thrill?

Easy. In the Hessian climatic air resort town of Herbstein.

In all fairness, the volcano is extinct — but the waters bubbling at the Vulkantherme are at a balmy 32.6 degree Celsius (90.7°F). Sweet. Therapeutic waters with a sauna to boot? I’m never leaving.

Ok, yes I am, because there’s some 750+ years of history to educate myself with. And a 90-minute city tour (Saturdays, starting at the Marktplatz) is one of the best ways to get an overview.

Just remember to leave yourself ample time to go back to places like the Church of St. James — and Herbstein is conveniently located along the Way of St. James. And for good measure, the town is also on the German Fairy Tale Road, too.

Ohh, Herbstein is also located along the Vulkanradweg, a cycle trail that runs for 94km. E-bikes are available, so no worries if you don’t have your own.

Volcanoes, history, and scenic routes? Do the wonders of Herbstein ever cease? Nope, there’s more.

Those of you out there who appreciate the finer points of old architecture, let me tell you you’ll find some half-timbered houses around Herbstein, giving the town an Old World vibe. There are even old medieval fortifications, if you’re interested — and let’s not forget about the Kreuzekapelle, a structure only built sometime in the 1800s, but the site of the chapel has been used since even before Christianity.

While those who like museums can learn all sorts of new things at the Fastnachtmuseum und Stadtmuseum. They are, however, only open on Sundays (afternoon), or by appointment — choice is yours.

The choice is yours of which festival or cultural event you’d like to attend. It starts off with the Schützenkönigsball in June, surrounded by a handful of Summer Festivals, crowned by the Herbsteiner Ferienspiele — a multi-day family-friendly party in July.

The Kirmes Lanzenhain is an August affair with fireworks on Saturday. The Wurstkirmes, that coincides with the Andreas Market, is in early November — but there’s also an Oktoberfest, and even mulled wine evenings on chilly December evenings.

What’s to choose — do them all. And just in case I missed something, there’s a tourist office here in Herbstein, located at Marktplatz 7.

Don’t look at me… I’ll be enjoying those balmy waters. ;-)

 

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