The Hessian town of Hohenstein (Taunus) is a definite treat for anyone looking for castle ruins, cultural events, and small German villages with their own unique flair. You’ll find Hohenstein’s northwest of Wiesbaden, in the western Taunus, in case you’re wondering.
Hohenstein’s rolling hills, all dotted with trees and ponds, makes a wonderful spot to find a quiet place to yourself. That is, until, the town decides to hold one of its cultural events.
I know I mentioned castle ruins first, but they’re tied together. Burg Hohenstein (in the village of Burg-Hohenstein — I’m not kidding, no) is the venue for all sorts of summer theater performances at its outdoor stage. Any other time of the year it’s just a simple late 12th century castle that was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War.
As if a medieval castle is just simple. Silly me… ;-)
Hohenstein isn’t a one festival town — you can look forward to its Christmas Market, and since there are some six other villages, you’ll find a whole bunch of church festivals taking place throughout the summer and autumn.
One such church is the Protestant Church in the village of Holzhausen über Aar. It was built around 1451 in the famous Gothic style; while the town itself is a quiet hamlet of around 1200 people.
The village of Strinz-Margarethä is one of the oldest, while its church is one of the youngest in town, famous for its Baroque organ.
Steckenroth, a village of just over 570 people, also has a Protestant Church — this one from the 18th century. Born’s church is a half-timbered number, built in 1703.
Have I missed anything? Oh yes, telling you about Breithardt — a town that saw quite a bit of action during the Thirty Years’ War; and Hennenthal, a village that’s got almost as many clubs as it does people.
OK, so I exaggerate a little. But, with all there is to see and do in Hohenstein (Taunus), I’m not exaggerating on how great of a town it really is — it truly is a treat for everyone.
