Only a few minutes south of the town of Gießen is one of the most charming Hessian towns you could find: Langgöns. Its six local villages sit along the foothills of the Taunus Mountains, which is great for all the hiking, walking, and cycling your visiting legs can handle.
Langgöns is also great for sightseeing within the town itself. There are plenty of timber framed houses scattered about; many built in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Ohly’sches Haus in the village of Niederkleen, the Herzenhaus (b. 1691) in Oberkleen, and the Paradiesgärtlein in Lang-Göns are some of the most photographed about town.
Usually where you find plenty of half-timbered houses, you’ll find a castle. Guess what? There is one. Burg Cleeberg has been here for just about 1100 years. Its tower was built in 1263 and the castle itself is big, imposing, and now private property. But, it was once a school and hotel.
St. Michael’s Military Church in Oberkleen isn’t private, so you can at least visit the inside. The church was built back in the 1400’s (its organ is an 18th century design) and is considered a military church because it was used to protect its citizens from attack.
Oh, Langgöns isn’t all old churches and castles; there are two museums in town, too. The Bärner Heimatstube is a fine little museum detailing the history of the town after the 2nd World War (open on 1st Thursday of month 2pm-4pm only).
You’ll find more of the town’s centuries old history over at the Heimatmuseum in Niederkleen. It’s only open on the 1st Sunday of the month from 3pm-5pm May through September. Although, the Heimatmuseum opens its doors for “coffee & discussion” session once a year in April or May.
If you can’t make that, then maybe you’ll be lucky enough to be here for its Christmas Market, its Music Celebration, or Zeltkirmes (Village Fair Celebration)?
You see, all this makes Langgöns great for all the walking, biking, sightseeing, and partying your visiting legs can handle. :-)
