Discover Eichenzell

In Eichenzell, centuries of architectural history, courtly living culture and woodland landscapes come together. The range extends from the medieval little castle and watchtower to Fasanerie Palace and nature experiences on the Rippberg. You can tailor your trip to what interests you most: historic buildings, collections or paths through the landscape.

Castles and traces of early history

Eichenzell’s little castle has a history stretching back more than 700 years. During interior renovation work, evidence was found that the Ebersberg family already had a residence or tower castle there around 1250 to 1260. The watchtower served a different historical purpose: it was built in the 12th century, along with seven other towers, as a signal tower for nearby Fulda. Today, the watchtower stands on a conveniently elevated site and offers sweeping views of the surrounding area.

Fasanerie Palace houses a museum of courtly living culture, with grand reception rooms and lavishly furnished living quarters. Its porcelain collection includes court table services from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as figurative porcelain from the royal manufactories of Meissen, Berlin, Copenhagen and Sèvres. The Eichenzell Local History Museum offers a different perspective on the town’s history: its 180 square metres provide insights into the culture and way of life of the people in and around Eichenzell, from prehistory and early history to the town’s origins and development. The museums therefore focus on different subjects: Fasanerie Palace explores courtly living culture, while the local history museum focuses on regional ways of life and the town’s development.

Parkland and woodland on the Rippberg

The park at Fasanerie Palace covers around 100 hectares. Its landscape includes meadows, flowerbeds, artistically designed lakes and paths, as well as fields, loosely arranged groups of trees and woodland criss-crossed by avenues. The Rippberg reveals another side of Eichenzell’s natural environment: it is part of the Eichenzell municipal forest, which covers around 315 hectares, and is a natural recreation area with basalt boulders, various animal species and a valuable stock of trees. The landscapes described are thus markedly different: one is a designed park, the other a forest with distinctive natural features.

Nature trails and cycle routes

The Albert Schweitzer Trail is around 950 metres long and follows a firm, easily accessible path that touches the designated core zone of the “Eichenzell Primeval Forest.” Guided walks along the trail explain philosophical quotations about how to treat creation and relate Albert Schweitzer’s statements to issues facing us today. The Tree Species Trail on the Rippberg is around two kilometres long and takes visitors on a guided forest walk through the Rippberg and over its summit, introducing distinctive trees along the way. The routes differ in length: around 950 metres for the Albert Schweitzer Trail and around two kilometres for the Tree Species Trail. The latter is not signposted, and can only be walked with a guide, former district forester Norbert Hahnel. Please check in advance whether a guided walk is available. There is also a regional connection for cycle touring: the Hessian long-distance cycle routes R1, R2 and R3 run through the Eichenzell municipal area.

Fulda as a wider regional destination

The wider Fulda travel destination includes the Rhön, in Fulda district, which offers opportunities for hiking and cycling. The Wasserkuppe is the highest mountain in Hesse and one of the notable places in Fulda district. The Kultursommer Main-Kinzig-Fulda also offers a glimpse of the region’s cultural scene: it has been held for more than 27 years. More than 100 events in music, theatre, art exhibitions, literature and other fields receive support as part of the festival. Venues are spread across Main-Kinzig district and Fulda district.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bad Salzschlirf, Dipperz, Tann, Großenlüder, Ehrenberg, Hilders, Hosenfeld, Petersberg

Back to the main travel overview: Fulda.