Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Hanau, Germany

The city of Hanau in Hesse is colloquially known as “Brüder-Grimm-Stadt” (Brothers Grimm City). The famous literary duo was born in Hanau in 1785 and 1786, and a national memorial to the brothers can be found at the Neustädter Markt (new town market). This significant monument is situated at the heart of a series of streets dating back to the early 17th century, a period during which Hanau served as a fortified citadel.

During this time, Hanau earned a distinguished reputation for its gold and silversmiths, leading to the establishment of companies such as Heraeus, a global leader in precious and specialty metals, which has been headquartered in Hanau since 1851. The city, however, faced substantial devastation during the Second World War, resulting in the destruction of numerous monuments, including the ancestral residence of the Counts of Hanau.

Notably, the 18th-century Wilhelmsbad spa and Schloss Philippsruhe miraculously remained unharmed, both showcasing exquisite Baroque elegance.

Let us examine the top attractions in Hanau:

1. Brüder-Grimm-Nationaldenkmal

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In front of the Neustädter Rathaus stands a bronze statue honoring the Brothers Grimm, which was erected in 1896. The unveiling of this monument marked the culmination of a 40-year effort to establish a tribute to Hanau’s most renowned figures.

Interestingly, the eventual designer of the monument, Syrius Eberle, originally placed third in the initial design competition. Nonetheless, his design was ultimately chosen by Herman, the son of Wilhelm Grimm, as it most effectively represented the legacy of both his father and uncle.

The monument features Jacob Grimm standing alongside a seated Wilhelm, complemented by allegorical reliefs adorning the pedestal.

2. Wilhelmsbad

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In 1709, two women uncovered a spring in the northwestern area of Hanau believed to possess healing qualities. By the end of that century, William I, Elector of Hesse, had established an elegant park and spa complex at the site.

Although the spring was later determined to lack any special attributes and dried up in 1815, the beautifully designed English landscape park transformed into a popular locale for leisure.

The remnants of the former spa buildings add a sense of grandeur to the district, which currently accommodates various restaurants and cafes.

Visitors can also enjoy historical attractions, such as a carousel dating back to 1780 (more on that later), the Comoedienhaus theatre established in 1781, and a romantic ruined castle.

The pyramid situated within the park serves as a memorial for Prince Frederick, the eldest son of William I, who passed away at the tender age of 12 in 1784.

3. Historisches Karussell Wilhelmsbad

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While Wilhelmsbad was undergoing landscaping, William I commissioned his architect Franz Ludwig von Cancrin to design something unprecedented: a revolving carousel atop an artificial hill.

Completed in 1780, this project was no small accomplishment, as the mechanism for the carousel needed to be established underground and can now be explored in guided tours through accessible tunnels.

From afar, the carousel resembles a temple or pavilion due to its Doric columns and domed roof. However, upon ascending the hill, visitors will be captivated by the intricately carved and painted horses and carriages enclosed behind a secure grill and window.

Since 2016, guests can also experience this 237-year-old attraction during special events, with details available on the website.

4. Schloss Philippsruhe

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This regal Baroque palace located on the Main River was commissioned by Philipp Reinhard, Count of Hanau-Münzenberg, at the beginning of the 18th century.

The Wilhelmine interiors, however, are more contemporary, dating back to the 1870s when they were remodeled by Prince Frederick William.

He dedicated five years to redesigning the property, but unfortunately passed away just four years after relocating to the palace in 1880. Visitors can explore the imposing façade, admire the masterful gold and wrought iron entrance gates, and view a bronze lion sculpted by Christian Daniel Rauch, one of the foremost sculptors of the era.

The interior comprises two museums, including Hanau’s historical museum. Visitors can also enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the park by the River Main.

5. Historisches Museum Hanau

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The lower level of Schloss Philippsruhe is dedicated to the history of Hanau and its surrounding region.

A map from 1665 illustrates the former layout of the city, while visitors can explore a diverse collection of uniforms, badges, medals, original documents, paintings, posters, and everyday artifacts.

Each of these items provides insight into significant periods in the city’s history, including the German revolutions of 1848-49, the era of the German Empire, the First World War, the Weimar Republic, and the Third Reich.

The “Beletage” located upstairs has been preserved as intended by Frederick William during his renovation in the 1870s; the dining room, ballroom, study, and private quarters of the Landgrave and his wife, Anna of Prussia, remain untouched.

In the dining room, guests will also encounter exquisite faience produced by the Hanau manufactory, which operated from 1661 to 1806.

6. Schlosspark Philippsruhe

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The garden located to the west of Schloss Philippsruhe is actually older than the palace itself, with its initial planting taking place at the end of the 17th century.

The Schlosspark originally featured a formal Baroque layout before undergoing transformation into an English landscape park during the mid-19th century.

Following the post-war period, the park fell into a state of disrepair but underwent a complete regeneration for the Hessian State Garden Show held in 2002. The two avenues of linden trees on the eastern side and the oak hedges on the western side hark back to the first Baroque garden established 300 years ago.

Central to the park is a charming pond featuring a fountain, distinctive basalt rock formations, and surrounded by mature ash, lime, maple, chestnut, and beech trees.

7. Marienkirche

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This Gothic church, situated behind Hanau’s old town hall, has roots that reach back to a time preceding the grid-like Neustadt to the south.

The Marienkirche originated as a Romanesque chapel in the 13th century and was later enhanced with a Late Gothic nave and choir during the final decades of the 15th century.

This extension resulted in the remarkable net vaulting overhead within the choir.

The keystones are adorned with the coats of arms of Count Philipp I’s family, who oversaw the 15th-century expansion, as well as those of his wife, Adriana of Nassau-Dillenburg, and their extended family.

Visitors can glimpse the likeness of the count in one of the intricately carved choir stalls, while a well-preserved polychrome depiction of Adriana rests on her tomb slab nearby.

Along the northern wall of the choir, there are also memorial monuments dedicated to a line of other Hanau counts from the 15th and 16th centuries.

8. Steinheim Old Town

Located across the Main River, the district of Steinheim is situated on the Deutsche Fachwerkstraße, a nationwide tourist route showcasing half-timbered houses.

The cobblestone Platz des Friedens features attractive examples from the 17th and 18th centuries, inviting visitors to relax with a glass of Apfelwein.

The whitewashed keep of Schloss Steinheim, dating back to the 13th century, is a notable landmark.

Guided tours provide access to the tower, while the lower floors house a museum detailing the history and prehistory of the Hanau region. History enthusiasts can explore ceramics from Bronze Age burial sites and collections of Roman coins.

The museum also features exhibits of Roman armor and weapons that date from the “Limesfall” in the 3rd century, marking the Roman army’s withdrawal from its eastern provinces across the Rhine.

9. Hessisches Puppenmuseum

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Located within the arcaded pavilion of the Wilhelmsbad spa complex, the doll and toy museum has been in operation since 1983. The Puppenmuseum emerged from the collection of a local resident, Gertrud Rodemann.

In the 1960s, she began constructing a dollhouse for her youngest son, leading to a passion that grew into a vast assemblage of dolls, puppets, and toys spanning antiquity to contemporary times.

A partnership with a doll museum in Tottori, Japan has enriched this attraction with a captivating Japanese section.

The museum also serves as a valuable resource for collectors and researchers, hosting temporary exhibitions showcasing both antique pieces and the creations of modern doll makers.

10. Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus

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Hanau’s Renaissance old town hall has functioned as a museum since the 19th century.

Like many other structures in the old center, this charming gabled and half-timbered monument suffered damage during the war, but it was expertly restored to its original splendor by 1958. Notable surviving features include a sandstone relief depicting a monkey with a mirror, symbolizing vanity in the Medieval era.

Presently, the old town hall houses the Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus, an exhibition venue celebrating Hanau’s long-standing goldsmith and silversmith crafts, and serves as the headquarters for the German Society of Goldsmiths.

Visiting hours and tour availability are inconsistent, so it is advisable to check in advance if you wish to enter.

11. Wildpark Alte Fasanerie Klein-Auheim

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Cross the river and within a brief drive, you will find a wildlife reserve featuring over 40 species of Central and Northern European fauna.

Numerous animals native to this region of Germany can be seen, such as roe deer, fallow deer, wild cats, wild boars, Heck cattle, Thuringian forest goats, and lynxes.

Additionally, there are more elusive creatures like polar wolves, moose, and bison.

The aviaries host eagle owls, snowy owls, along with golden and common pheasants.

Some wildlife, including a colony of grey herons, has also taken residence on the grounds independently.

The park spans over 100 hectares, punctuated by meadows and woodlands containing pine, ash, and mixed deciduous trees, featuring 15 kilometers of hiking trails.

12. Hanauer Wochenmarkt

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Individuals travel from as far as Frankfurt and Offenbach to attend Hanau’s outdoor market, which has been operating since 1597. The Wochenmarkt is held every Wednesday and Saturday morning at the base of the Brothers Grimm monument.

This market stands out for a mid-sized city, boasting 100 stalls brimming with fresh produce sourced from local farms in Hesse.

Visitors can procure fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats, and cheeses. As lunchtime approaches, the enticing aromas of bratwurst or freshly baked pizza may tempt you.

For early visitors, complimentary parking is available from 06:00 to 08:00.

13. Seligenstadt

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Just a short 15-minute journey up the Main River leads to the charming town of Seligenstadt, which remained unscathed during the Second World War.

For picturesque half-timbered homes, begin at the Marktplatz and meander through nearby streets, including Kleine Maingasse, Große Maingasse, Kleine Fischergasse, Große Fischergasse, Steinheimer Straße, and Freihofstraße.

Seligenstadt is also noted for its impressive religious structures, such as the Einhard-Basilika, which showcases architecture reflecting the life of Einhard, a 9th-century Frankish scholar in Charlemagne’s court.

The town’s Benedictine abbey, also originating from the 800s, features a magnificent Baroque library and ceremonial hall (Kaisersaal), alongside an authentic kitchen garden.

14. Apfelwein

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The official beverage of Hesse is Apfelwein, which, despite its name, is more akin to cider.

This drink possesses a sharp, tart flavor, but can be sweetened with lemonade or intensified by adding calvados (apple brandy). Apfelwein is available by the glass or pitcher, referred to as a Bembel.

These stoneware jugs feature blue patterns and have been integral to the Apfelwein tradition for over 120 years.

Moreover, the glass it is served in is known as a “Geripptes,” which features a diamond pattern designed to refract light and enhance grip.

If you are in Hanau at the end of August, there is an Apfelwein festival in the Burggarten of Steinheim.

Steinheim also serves as the starting point for the Hessian Cider and Orchard Trail.

15. Bahnradweg Hessen

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Hanau serves as the starting point for a cycling route that winds into the volcanic Vogelsberg and Rhön Mountains, spanning over 300 kilometers.

The portion from Hanau to the village of Glauburg is particularly easy and family-friendly, featuring an asphalt path separated from any traffic.

Throughout this 35-kilometer journey, cyclists will cross the Via Regia, a medieval trade route that traversed east to west through the Holy Roman Empire.

Pedaling to Glauburg takes approximately 90 minutes, and it is worthwhile to allocate time for visiting the Bronze Age burial site of a Celtic prince, excavated in the 1990s.

Amongst the artifacts excavated from the tomb is an extraordinary man-shaped stele, which, along with a precious gold necklace, holds a prominent place in a newly established museum.