Hessisch Lichtenau: The Complete Guide

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Hessisches Landesarchiv

Hessisch Lichtenau is a small town located in the northern part of the state of Hesse, Germany. It is situated on the edge of the vast forested area known as the Kaufunger Wald, and is surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful countryside.

Hessian Lichtenau, the gateway to Frau Holle-Land at the foot of the Hoher Meißner and on the German Fairy Tale Route, presents itself as a romantic half-timbered town and ideal holiday home in the middle of an enchanting landscape. The closed half-timbered ensemble of the city center with the old town hall (1665), in which our Frau Holle Museum, the so-called “Holleum” has been located since 2011, and the Gothic town church (1415) inspire visitors again and again.

The Brothers Grimm’s most famous fairy tale, Frau Holle, revolves around the majestic Hoher Meißner mountain. According to the story, Frau Holle shook her beds from the mountain, causing snow to fall on the ground. Today, the legend lives on through the many fairy tales, myths, and sagas that recount the adventures of Mother Holle, who is revered as Hulda, Perchta, Freya, and Frigga, among other names, as an ancient female earth deity.

History of Hessisch Lichtenau

Origins of Hessisch Lichtenau

Hessisch Lichtenau traces its origins back to the early medieval period. The town was first mentioned in historical documents in 1289, highlighting its longstanding significance in the region.

Development Through the Ages

Over the centuries, Hessisch Lichtenau grew from a small settlement into a notable town, benefiting from its strategic location. It played a role in regional trade and was known for its agricultural contributions.

Modern Era

In the 20th century, Hessisch Lichtenau continued to evolve, balancing its rich historical heritage with modern developments. The town now offers a blend of historical sites and contemporary amenities, making it a fascinating destination for visitors.

Visiting Hessisch Lichtenau for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Hessisch Lichtenau on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

This website uses affiliate links which earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

1. Hessisch Lichtenau’s Altstadt and St. Vitus Church

Begin your visit in the compact Altstadt, where half-timbered houses line narrow lanes converging on the square before St. Vitus Church. This late Gothic church, with its slender spire and richly carved wooden altar, anchors the town’s historic core. Wander through adjacent streets to admire preserved merchant façades, browse artisan workshops, and pause at a café terrace for a slice of homemade Apfelkuchen.

The church interior, bathed in colored light from medieval stained glass, offers a tranquil contrast to the bustling square. Look for the 16th-century fresco fragments high on the chancel wall and the intricately wrought wrought-iron lectern, a local masterwork commissioned by a wealthy burgher family.

2. Heimatmuseum Hessisch Lichtenau

Housed in the former town school on Spangenbergstraße, the Heimatmuseum charts Hessisch Lichtenau’s journey from Saxon manor to modern market town.
Entry cost: €4 adults, €2 students and seniors
Opening times: Wed–Sun 10 am–5 pm

Inside, period rooms recreate a 19th-century classroom and parish kitchen, while display cases showcase traditional costumes, tools of local crafts (weaving, coopering), and a scale model of the Altstadt circa 1600. Temporary exhibitions rotate regional artists and document archaeological finds from nearby forest digs, making each visit fresh and engaging.

3. Hiking the Kaufunger Wald to Spiegelslustturm

Just 5 km east of town, the Kaufunger Wald’s well-waymarked trails lead to the Spiegelslustturm, a 25-meter observation tower with sweeping vistas over Hessisch Lichtenau and the Werra Valley. A popular route follows a gentle forest track from the town’s northeast gate, winding through beech and oak to reach the tower in about 90 minutes.

Along the way, watch for wild orchids in spring and raspberry patches in summer. At the summit, picnic tables invite you to unpack local delicacies—freshly baked rolls, regional cheeses, and crisp apple juice—while you survey the patchwork of fields, villages, and distant hills.

4. Cycling the Werra-Burgen-Steig Trail

Hessisch Lichtenau sits on the Werra-Burgen-Steig, a long-distance cycle route linking medieval castles along the Werra River. From the Hauptstraße, you can join the trail eastward toward Branschwitz or southwest back toward Witzenhausen. The section to Kleinalmerode (12 km) is mostly flat, passing orchards and half-timbered hamlets.

Bike rentals are available at Fahrrad Happy on Bahnhofstraße, and day-ticket prices start at €12. Helmets and pannier bags are included, making it easy to carry picnic supplies or local cider purchases.

5. Kleinalmerode Hammer Mill Museum

A 7 km cycle or short drive south brings you to Kleinalmerode’s preserved hammer mill—a rare surviving example of early industrial technology.
Entry cost: €3 adults, €1.50 children under 12
Opening times: Sat–Sun 2 pm–5 pm (Apr–Oct)

Waterwheels still power the guillotine hammer, and guided demonstrations show how iron blooms were forged into tools. The museum’s small gift shop offers hand-forged trinkets and pamphlets on the region’s iron-working heritage.

6. Ruins of Branschwitz Manor

Perched on a forested ridge northwest of town, the 14th-century Branschwitz Manor ruins overlook the Kinzig Valley. A narrow footpath from the village center winds up through chestnut groves to the crumbling gatehouse and parts of the keep.

Though only fragments remain, weathered stone arches and moss-covered walls evoke the site’s former grandeur. At sunset, the west-facing ramparts offer one of Hessisch Lichtenau’s most romantic vistas—bring a flashlight for the return walk through the woods.

7. Stadtpark and Rose Garden

Adjacent to the old mill on Mühlenweg, the Stadtpark blends manicured lawns with informal flower beds and shaded promenades. In June, the Rose Garden unfurls over 400 varieties, each labeled with cultivar name and breeding date, creating a scented tapestry of pinks, reds, and yellows.

Benches under Magnolia trees provide restful stops, and in mid-summer weekend afternoons, local harpists and flutists often perform impromptu concerts beneath the bandstand. Admission is free year-round.

8. Saturday Market on the Marktplatz

Every Saturday morning, the Marktplatz transforms into a bustling Markt with stalls selling freshly baked Brötchen, regional cheeses, farm-fresh eggs, and seasonal produce. Local butchers offer Würstchen specialties like grobe Bratwurst and Blutwurst, while bakers tempt you with Quarkbällchen and nut-filled Striezel.

The market’s convivial atmosphere—neighbors catching up, children sampling strawberries—makes it a perfect place to assemble a picnic lunch or simply enjoy a coffee from the mobile barista van.

9. Brewpub Tour at Forsthaus Daudenberg

Set on the edge of the Reinhardswald, Forsthaus Daudenberg’s micro-brewery crafts traditional Hefeweizen and experimental forest-herb ales.
Entry cost: Brewery tour €5 (includes tasting of 4 brews)
Opening times: Tours Sat 3 pm; taproom Fri–Sun 4 pm–10 pm

The 90-minute tour covers the mash tun, fermenters, and barrel aging cellar, concluding in a timber-walled taproom. Sample seasonal brews—like spruce-tip Ale in spring or smoked Bock in winter—paired with soft pretzels baked on-site.

10. Herbstfest (Autumn Festival)

Held the third weekend in October, Hessisch Lichtenau’s Herbstfest celebrates the harvest with folk music, horse-drawn wagon rides, and communal meals in the historic mill hall. Local winemakers and cider presses set up tasting bars, while craft stalls offer woolen scarves, pottery, and wood carvings.

The festival’s highlight is the Lantern Procession on Saturday evening: children carry handmade lanterns in a winding parade through the Altstadt, ending with a bonfire and impromptu sing-alongs of traditional Hessian tunes. Admission to the festival grounds is free.