Discover Bastheim: Fountains and Monastery Art

You can get to know Bastheim through its cultural landmarks: the Sebastian Fountain combines an striking figure with a precisely stated historical dedication. At Wechterswinkel Monastery, meanwhile, the permanent exhibition WÜRDEVOLL brings traditional nativity scenes and contemporary art together. The wider destination of Rhön-Grabfeld also offers other themes, from fortified churches and museums to protected landscapes. This lets you decide whether to focus on Bastheim’s local culture or also explore the diversity of the district during your trip.

Cultural landmarks in Bastheim

The Sebastian Fountain in Bastheim is a war memorial dedicated to the “victorious sons of the campaign of 1870/71.” Valentin Weidner erected it in 1897 to mark the golden jubilee of former parish priest Karl Frantz. An inscription-covered plinth supports a 2.5 m-high statue of St. Sebastian, patron saint of the church and the town, made of Lorraine limestone; a fountain basin stands in front. The memorial was restored in 1982. Its dedication, occasion and material give the fountain a specific local history that can be read in a single structure.

The Besengau-Scheuer is an event venue at Geckenauer Straße 6 in Bastheim. Alongside the memorial, this named venue is also part of the local cultural offering.

Wechterswinkel Monastery and the WÜRDEVOLL exhibition

The permanent exhibition WÜRDEVOLL – Impulses on Becoming Human, created in 2024, is on the monastery’s second floor. Traditional nativity scenes and contemporary art meet directly there. The contrast between familiar nativity motifs and contemporary works shapes the way visitors experience the exhibition; for art lovers, it offers a different focus from the historical commemoration at the Sebastian Fountain.

The monastery is also home to a district cultural center for visual arts, music, literature and lifestyle. The gallery on the ground floor shows contemporary art, with a focus on sculpture. The Wechterswinkel bus stop is just a few steps from the monastery. You can check the timetable in advance when planning a bus journey.

More culture in the wider destination of Rhön-Grabfeld

In the wider destination of Rhön-Grabfeld, the fortified church in Ostheim vor der Rhön offers another historical perspective. It was declared a monument of national importance in 2003 and is Germany’s largest and particularly well-preserved fortified church. The fortified church museum there presents a dozen other fortified churches from the region, including those in Nordheim, Oberstreu and Kaltensundheim.

The Franconian Open-Air Museum Fladungen brings 350 years of rural everyday life in Lower Franconia and the Rhön to life through faithfully reconstructed houses and farmsteads. Around 30 historic buildings stand on the 12-hectare museum grounds, including farmsteads, craft buildings and a village school. Hands-on activities focused on crafts and traditions include demonstrations, practical courses and events. The Rhön-Zügle museum railway travels through the Streu Valley with steam and diesel locomotives.

Kreuzberg Monastery, with its pilgrimage church, is also part of the cultural range in the wider destination: it is regarded as a spiritual center in Lower Franconia. At 928 m, Kreuzberg is the highest mountain in Rhön-Grabfeld district; a Franciscan monastery with its own brewery has been located there since 1644. The combination of pilgrimage church, monastery and brewery makes this place stand out from the region’s museums and art venues.

Protected landscapes and nature experiences

Rhön-Grabfeld lies within the UNESCO Rhön Biosphere Reserve. The landscape includes the Lange Rhön, Bavaria’s largest nature reserve outside the Alps. The Black Moor is strictly protected as a core zone within the biosphere reserve. A wooden boardwalk runs through parts of the moor, with information panels explaining the route. An observation tower offers an impressive view of the Black Moor.

At Gangolfsberg, the nature trail brings together natural and geological history: the nature forest reserve there is part of the core zone of the UNESCO Rhön Biosphere Reserve. The basalt prism wall formed 30 to 10 million years ago during volcanic activity in the Rhön and can be explored along the Gangolfsberg nature trail. The route is about 2.5 km long; sturdy footwear is required. Guided group tours of the nature trail are available on request.

The premium hiking trail “DER HOCHRHÖNER” offers further hiking opportunities in Rhön-Grabfeld district. The panoramic view from the observation tower, the Gangolfsberg nature trail and the longer hiking route offer a range of different nature experiences. The specific route lengths and footwear requirement at Gangolfsberg provide useful guidance when planning.

Find accommodation to match your travel interests

When looking for accommodation, you can first decide what you want your trip to include: will Bastheim’s cultural landmarks be the main focus, or would you also like to explore museums, fortified churches and landscapes across the wider destination of Rhön-Grabfeld? The local exhibition and the Sebastian Fountain offer different themes from the regional nature and museum attractions. Tailor your search to the places and experiences you want to shape your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mellrichstadt, Wollbach, Ostheim vor der Rhön, Willmars, Hausen, Heustreu, Stockheim, Unsleben.

To the overview of the wider destination: Rhön-Grabfeld.