Schönau an der Brend: Discover nature, views and culture

Schönau an der Brend offers a range of attractions to inspire your travel plans: the Rhönrad Fountain commemorates the inventor of the Rhön wheel, Markberg Cross offers views across the Rhön and the Brend Valley, and a cycle path and bridge lead to the water at the Brend. You can make culture, views and landscape the focus of your stay—or combine the different sides of the town.

A fountain connected with the Rhön

The Rhönrad Fountain commemorates Otto Feick, who is described on the monument as the inventor of the Rhön wheel. A mound of basalt symbolizes the Rhön, with a wheel mounted on it. The site also includes a fountain below Kirchberg. The landscape symbol, wheel and water give the monument a distinct form. If you are interested in the history of the Rhön wheel, the fountain offers a tangible point of reference: here you encounter both the dedication to Feick and the wheel itself.

Views and a break on Markberg

Markberg Cross stands on the 425-meter-high Markberg. From there, you can see across the Rhön and the Brend Valley. A bench provides a place to rest and eat. This gives the site a different focus from the Rhönrad Fountain: here, the emphasis is on the views and a break outdoors.

Out and about along the Brend

A cycle path lets you explore the Brend in the direction of the ford near Kollertshof. There, you can cross a bridge and take a break on a bench by the stream. In summer, you can watch horses grazing. The water, a riverside break and the seasonal chance to observe the animals give this outing a different character from the viewpoint on Markberg. If you are planning a family trip, you can take different interests into account: a break with a view, time by the stream or a monument as a cultural highlight. The reference to horses applies specifically to summer.

Bus connections when choosing your accommodation

There are covered bus stops in the town center. Routes 810 and 811 connect the municipality with Bad Neustadt an der Saale, Bischofsheim in der Rhön and Gersfeld. The nearest train station is in Bad Neustadt an der Saale. If you want to include bus and train travel in your plans, check the current timetable before setting out, as bus services may change. These connections may help you plan your mobility when choosing accommodation. The location that suits you depends on how important bus connections are to you and which activities you have planned.

More to discover in Bad Neustadt a.d.Saale

The wider destination of Bad Neustadt a.d.Saale offers further city attractions. Hohntor was built around 1580 and evokes the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. At the upper edge of the old town stands the Catholic parish church of the Assumption of Mary; striking columns define its nave. The market square hosts Thursday concerts every year. Together, these places offer different ways to explore the town’s history, church architecture and music.

The viewpoints and town wall also have their own appeal. Luitpoldhöhe is an 80-meter-high limestone promontory above the Mühlbach district. It serves as a viewpoint, offering views across Bad Neustadt and the Bavarian Rhön. The medieval town wall of Bad Neustadt is heart-shaped, fully preserved and just under two kilometers long. About 1.5 kilometers of it can be walked in full. The total length and the walkable section are different figures: the wall is just under two kilometers long, while approximately 1.5 kilometers can be walked as a circuit. During a visit to Bad Neustadt, you can choose between the townscape, views, architecture and a walk along the wall.

For the wider travel overview: Bad Neustadt An Der Saale.