If you ask yourself why should you come to Solms, the question really should be, why not? This town of five villages lies between the refreshing Westerwald and the gorgeous Taunus Mountains, making this Hessian countryside a superb backdrop for your visit.
There are many historical sites around town to engage your mind, as well as the countryside that will delight your eyes. So the question really is, what to do first? Do you head off into the Hochtaunus Nature Park on many of the hiking and cycling trails? Perhaps, just sit under a 1000 year old oak; reading a book or watching the world go by? Renting a boat for a day out on the water is time well spent, too.
You can’t miss the Solms Local History Museum with exhibits on what life was like here back in the “old days.” One particular exhibit at the museum is that of a stone cannon ball that helped to destroy Burg Solms in 1364.
When not living in castles, members of noble families also lived in monasteries. One such place are the ruins of the 12th century Monastery Altenberg. The 13th century chapel and 17th century farm buildings are now the main attraction when visiting this former religious site.
Still a very much used religious site is the Oberdorf Church, with the original built around the year 788. Excavations have found crypts under the church from Carolingian Times (approx 8th century). You might not be able to go down to explore the old crypts, but you can visit the old Jewish Cemetery in the neighborhood of Albshausen.
Churches and monasteries might have been the center of Solms’ religious life, but mining was the center of its economic life. Which is what you’ll find out when you visit the Pit Fortuna Mining Museum and a look at how mining changed through the years.
Whatever you choose to do here you can’t go wrong since you’ll find just about everything anyone could want here. So, really, why not Solms?
