Kaufungen is a fantastic 1000 year old town along the Kaufunger Wald (Kaufungen Forest) in Hesse. It also sits along the Deutsche Märchenstraße, or German Fairy Tale Route, a 60 town 600 km (373 miles) long route that offers the best of the best of medieval towns. It’s also a place that’s modern, fun, famous for its musical concerts, and does it all within the most beautiful of scenery.
As Kaufungen is only a few kilometers from Kassel, getting here is more than easy with frequent public transport services. This makes it most convenient if you wish to stay here in Kaufungen and visit the comedy club or the National Theater in Kassel. But, really no need since you’ll find just about anything and everything you need right here in town.
There are two great ways to see Kaufungen, by bike or by foot. With 28 well-marked walking trails you’ll never find yourself without anything to see. All these trails are also close to public transportation, so you can walk one way and ride back.
Visitors will find trails that lead them past the Kaufungen Abbey, or the Stiftskirche as it’s called today. This old church was built by Empress Kunigunde in 1025 and lived here after her husband (Emperor Heinrich II) died until her death. Many classical music concerts take place here during the summer.
Other trails lead off towards the 10th century St. George’s Chapel, the Alte Schule (Old School) which now houses Kaufungen’s local history museum with exhibitions from the Middle Ages to modern day, and the Rossgang Mining Museum — as mining was huge to the local economy for hundreds of years.
You’ll also find trails that lead you off into the Kaufunger Wald, a steep-hilled dense-wooded forest right between Hesse and Lower Saxony. Watch out for the cyclists, since there are plenty of trails for bikers, too. Kaufunger Wald is where the annual Bilstein Mountain Bike Marathon takes place every September.
More trails lead off toward Steinertsee. The lake is divided into three distinct areas that connect Ober and Nieder (upper and lower) Kaufungen, including a nature protected section that’s a haven for birds.
Kaufungen’s wonderful and its beautiful rustic countryside is a perfect getaway. It’s also a perfect chance to buy yourself a real comfortable pair of walking shoes — you’re going to need them.
