Morschen: Haydau Monastery and the Fulda Valley

In Morschen, monastic history, garden design and routes through the Fulda Valley come together with distinctive local details: these include the half-timbered houses and the water channel in Neumorschen, as well as a cable ferry across the Fulda. Haydau Monastery offers a gateway to several centuries of history; the pilgrimage trail and cycle path offer other ways to explore the area.

Haydau Monastery: from monastery to palace

Haydau Monastery was founded in 1235 and developed into an economic centre in the Fulda Valley during the 14th century. During the era of the Landgraves, the complex was converted into a palace. From 1685, under Landgrave Charles, a Baroque garden with terraces, parterres and a high enclosing wall was created around the former monastery and later palace. An elaborate staircase featuring artificial grotto architecture has been preserved in the palace park and is considered a special attraction of the Haydau garden.

The historic garden was restored in 2005 and is maintained through the voluntary efforts of the local community. Today, Haydau Monastery serves as a venue for conferences, cultural events and celebrations. Guided tours of the monastery complex can be booked. A tour on your mobile phone takes you through 800 years of the monastery’s, palace’s and garden’s history. You can therefore explore in different ways: with a guided tour of the complex or a tour experienced on your own mobile phone.

During opening hours, the monastery café in the south wing serves cakes and tray bakes. If you are planning to visit both the café and the monastery complex, bear in mind that the café is open only at set times.

Exploring the Fulda Valley on foot and by bike

The Haydau Pilgrimage Trail starts at the monastery church, passes through the Fulda Valley and climbs Kapellenberg before continuing to Altmorschen. In Altmorschen, sweeping views and the village’s half-timbered charm shape the landscape. Much of the route is flat and well surfaced, making it easy for visitors of all ages to walk in any weather. The pilgrimage trail is one way to combine history and scenery on the same outing.

On the Fulda Cycle Route R1 between Morschen-Binsförth and Malsfeld-Beiseförth, cyclists and pedestrians can use a cable ferry about 50 metres long to cross the Fulda, which is about 40 metres wide. The pilgrimage trail and the cable ferry offer different ways to get outdoors: one is a route through the Fulda Valley with a connection to the monastery, the other a special crossing on the cycle route.

Local history in Neumorschen, Wichte and Binsförth

In Neumorschen, a striking feature of the historically significant Marktstraße is a water channel that runs partly in the open between the very well-preserved half-timbered houses. Also in Neumorschen is Jacobi Church, renovated in 2008. The village community landscaped its surroundings. The key to the church is available from the parish office; it is best to arrange your visit there in advance.

The Wichte Local History Museum also includes a weaving room. Binsförth is home to the Jewish cemetery, the oldest Jewish burial site in North Hesse. Together, these places reveal different aspects of local history, from crafts and half-timbered architecture to an important site of Jewish remembrance.

Road access and choosing accommodation

Morschen is on Federal Highway 83 between Kassel and Bebra. The Malsfeld interchange on the A7 motorway, on the Kassel–Würzburg route, is about 11 kilometres from Morschen. These points may help you choose a base if you are planning your trip with road access in mind.

More places to discover in the Schwalm-Eder district

The landscape of the Schwalm-Eder district includes the upland scenery around Knüll, Kellerwald and Habichtswald. The district’s cultural attractions also explore a range of themes: the Malerstübchen Museum in Willingshausen presents 19th- and 20th-century art history and displays paintings featuring traditional Schwalm costume. It also showcases traditional Schwalm rural crafts, including whitework embroidery, knitting and spinning.

The Museum of the Schwalm in Schwalmstadt-Ziegenhain displays pottery and ceramics used in the region in a reconstructed pottery workshop. A large model of the Ziegenhain water fortress shows its condition in 1761 after it was shelled during the Seven Years’ War. At the Breitenau Memorial, a permanent exhibition in the tithe barn commemorates events of the Nazi era; educational programmes include guided tours, walks, talks and readings.

Discover more destinations: Ottrau, Guxhagen, Willingshausen, Malsfeld, Melsungen, Felsberg, Jesberg, Bad Zwesten.

For the main travel overview: Schwalm-Eder district.