Summary of the Best Attractions in Michelstadt
Michelstadt, a charming town adorned with timber-framed houses, is a preferred destination in the Hessian Odenwald region. The intertwining streets and squares evoke a fairy-tale ambiance, while the Gothic town hall garners recognition throughout Germany for its impressive timber stilts.
Historically, Michelstadt dates back to the era of Charlemagne in the 9th century, boasting one of the few surviving churches from that period in Germany, where visitors can admire 1,200-year-old masonry and frescoes.
Following the Middle Ages, the town’s character was influenced by the Counts of Erbach, who erected castles and parks, with their tomb monuments prominently displayed in the 15th-century town church.
Let us examine the top attractions in Michelstadt:
1. Old Town
Michelstadt appears reminiscent of a bygone era, with each street and quaint square lined with charming Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque half-timbered houses.
Some structures are adorned with vibrant colors, while others feature slate cladding on their upper levels, many housing delightful restaurants, cafes, taverns, and specialty shops.
Notable sites include the town’s castle (also known as the winery), the 15th-century town church, and the timber-framed Wehrmännerhaus, adjacent to the synagogue on Mauerstraße.
However, the highlight is the historic town hall, discussed in the following section.
2. Historisches Rathaus
Your initial destination and Michelstadt’s premier photographic opportunity must be the historic town hall on the eastern side of the picturesque market square.
This remarkable piece of half-timbered architecture dates back to 1484. The entire structure is elevated on sturdy oak timbers, one of which bears the date of its founding.
This framework supports the council chamber, flanked by two turrets featuring pointed roofs facing the market square.
The architecture is crowned with a steep hipped roof topped by a ridge turret.
3. Einhardsbasilika
Located in the Steinbach district, this remarkable 9th-century church stands as one of the rare surviving examples of Carolingian architecture in Germany.
The Einhardsbasilika was completed in 827, and its master builder, Einhard, was a close confidant and biographer of Charlemagne.
Originally intended to house the remains of Saints Marcellinus and Peter, which were looted from Rome and later relocated to Seiligenstadt.
Over its 1,200-year history, the Einhardsbasilika has served various functions, including a parish church, monastery, almshouse/hospital, and warehouse, until its historical significance was recognized in 1873. Visitors can observe original Carolingian masonry in the crypt, nave, and choir, along with five tomb slabs on the north wall of the nave, the oldest of which dates back to the 1000s.
Additionally, faint, yet discernible, traces of 9th-century painting can be seen in the apse.
4. Stadtkirche
The current iteration of the town church was constructed between 1461 and 1537; however, remnants of the earlier Carolingian building are evident in the stonework of the antechoir.
An early medieval fresco of St. Martin can be discerned in a sacrament niche within the choir.
Delicate tendril designs painted in 1543 adorn the majestic net vaults, while the Late-Renaissance scrolls framing the choir’s windows were created in 1624. The aisles and choir walls are adorned with approximately 66 grave monuments, with the oldest dating to the 11th century.
The choir features elaborately crafted monuments, including those for Counts of Erbach, Friedrich Magnus, Georg III, and Johann Casemir, all of which are magnificent.
5. Burg Michelstadt
The town’s castle originated from a Frankish noble estate in the 10th century and is situated in the oldest inhabited section of Michelstadt.
Today, the half-timbered structure primarily dates back to the 14th to 17th centuries, adjacent to the town wall and adjacent to a park next to the moat.
The central courtyard is the most memorable aspect of the castle, enclosed by the grand hall, Michelstadt’s former town hall, a winery warehouse that now houses the town museum, and the old coach house on the eastern side.
6. Kainsbacher Getreidemühle
During the 1990s, the coach house at the castle fell into disrepair and required a new purpose.
A private association eventually conceived the idea of relocating a decommissioned water mill to this site.
The mill, which operated using the Kainsbach stream to produce flour from 1426 until 1956, was meticulously disassembled and reconstructed in its new location.
Without water power, an electric motor was installed for operation.
Visitors may observe the mill in operation free of charge on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
7. Diebsturm
The most notable remnant of Michelstadt’s fortifications is a structure from the 13th century, located just west of the castle warehouse.
Positioned on the edge of the moat, the Diebsturm was likely part of the castle’s original construction, later repurposed as a prison (the name translates to “thief’s tower”). This circular edifice features a modern octagonal half-timbered upper level, which replaced the original dome in 1798. Historically, the ground floor lacked entrances or windows, with prisoners hoisted to upper levels using pulleys.
Examine the stonework to discover a Roman relief of Mercury, the original of which is housed in the town museum.
8. Schloss Fürstenau
A visually stunning site, Schloss Fürstenau ranks among the most romantic moated castles in Odenwald.
As was typical in Germany, the original medieval castle, constructed by the Electorate of Mainz in 1250, was transformed into an opulent Renaissance palace as it lost its military significance in the 16th century.
This transformation produced a structure that exhibits a variety of architectural styles, from the bulky circular towers to the north to the Neoclassical “Neue Palais” from the 18th century.
The complex also features a quaint Renaissance-era water mill.
This estate has belonged to the noble Erbach-Fürstenau family for the past 300 years, remaining private property; however, the courtyard, a majority of the gardens, and a small art gallery are accessible to visitors.
9. Stadtmuseum
Housed in the winery warehouse at Burg Michelstadt, this museum provides insights about the town free of charge.
Visitors can learn about the area’s prehistory and view ancient artifacts, including the original Mercury relief from the Diebsturm.
There is an informative exploration of Michelstadt’s development as a county outpost during the Middle Ages, alongside recreations of interior settings illustrating everyday life throughout various historical periods.
The museum also highlights local livelihoods, showcasing pottery, tinware, and hunting weaponry.
Noteworthy exhibitions feature two local 20th-century artists: illustrator and graphic artist Fritz Kedel, and Jan Holschuh, recognized for his amber creations.
A toy museum is also part of the exhibit, featuring dolls, miniatures, and wooden toys from 1880 to 1940, as well as an Odenwald model railway accessible on Saturdays and Sundays.
10. Eulbacher Park
Located a short distance east of Michelstadt is Eulbacher Park, comprising 400 hectares of English landscape park designed for the hunting lodge of the Counts of Erbach-Erbach.
The northern section features enclosures for European Bison and native wildlife.
These remnants are a small portion of the expansive 3,000-hectare game park once maintained by the counts.
Eulbacher Park could also lay claim to being the world’s oldest archaeological park.
Franz I, Count of Erbach-Erbach during the early 19th century, had a passion for ancient art and served as an amateur archaeologist, transporting stones from authentic Roman sites and medieval ruins to construct columns, walls, obelisks, and a triumphal arch.
This practice would likely be criticized today, but the park remains a testament to the ideologies and trends of the Romantic period from two centuries ago.
11. Synagoge Michelstadt
During the 18th century, Michelstadt hosted a small Jewish community allowed to reside within the town walls, specifically in a designated area in the northeast of the old town.
The synagogue on Mauerstraße, built in 1791, is among the few that survived the National Socialist persecution of Jews in southern Hesse: Despite interior devastation, the essential Late Baroque architecture and the Hebrew inscription above the lintel remain intact.
Visitors can explore a small exhibition shedding light on the religious and social history of Odenwald’s Jewish community, utilizing liturgical artifacts and archival photographs.
12. Marktbrunnen
Located opposite the town hall, surrounded by outdoor dining areas, is Michelstadt’s market fountain.
This monument was a gift from Count George II of Erbach in 1575 and is carved from sandstone.
The Marktbrunnen features an octagonal basin around a column with water flowing from the mouths of small bronze dragons.
Higher up, a capital displays Michelstadt’s coat of arms.
Atop the fountain stands the patron saint, St. Michael, wielding his sword and scales.
13. Römerbad Würzberg
Count Franz I sourced materials for his “ruins” from sites like the Roman bath located in Michelstadt’s Würzberg district.
The baths are a remnant of the Odenwald Limes, a series of fortifications, known as “Kastell,” along Germania’s Roman border.
Each Kastell was equipped with its own bath, and in Würzberg, the facility has been restored to showcase its hypocaust system.
This bath dates to 100 AD and would have accommodated approximately 120 men.
14. German Ivory Museum
Count Franz I also had a passion for ivory, and his collection formed the basis for this museum located a short distance away in Erbach.
In the late 18th century, Erbach emerged as Germany’s premier ivory hub, with contemporary ivory-carving workshops still operating in the town.
Following the ban on the ivory trade in 1989, these workshops transitioned to utilizing fossil ivory and alternative materials.
The museum’s collection includes 2,000 pieces spanning from the Middle Ages to the present, featuring artifacts from Africa, Asia, Greenland, and across Europe.
The focus lies on the town’s workshops from the 19th and 20th centuries, along with the artist Jan Holschuh, known for his work in both ivory and amber.
15. Christmas Market
In a town that resembles a cinematic fantasy, the Christmas Market is a source of joy and seasonal wonder throughout December.
Although not large in size, Michelstadt’s market operates during specific afternoon and evening hours from Wednesday to Friday, and all day on weekends.
With over 100 stalls in rustic huts offering handcrafted toys, jewelry, and decorations, it is a delightful experience.
Additionally, a variety of beloved treats are available, from hot chocolate topped with whipped cream to Glühwein, roasted almonds and chestnuts, Lebkuchen (gingerbread), bratwurst, and much more.
The market square serves as the focal point, featuring a tall Christmas tree and festive performances from local brass bands, choirs, and youth ensembles.
