Discover Erfenbach: Railways, Crafts and Forest

Erfenbach combines traces of local and technological history with a forest walk between Erzhütten and Erfenbach. Its themes range from the former Bachbahn railway to a restored farmhouse, as well as mining, minerals and fossils. This lets you make cultural history or a specific experience in nature the focus of your trip.

Railways, a Farmhouse and Collections

The Bachbahn Museum explores the economic and social history of the former Bachbahn railway. Models of the stations and displays about transport infrastructure illustrate different aspects of everyday railway life; there is also a model railway with about 180 metres of track. Together, the exhibits provide a vivid setting for the history of technology. The museum also presents artifacts associated with the Bachbahn and technological change.

The “Haltepunkt Kunst” exhibition features sculptures and paintings by Erfenbach artist Rudolf Blanz. As the works on display may change, it is best to check ahead if this exhibition is important to your plans. Erfenbach Farmhouse offers a different glimpse into life and work: it was restored from 1993 to 1996 and is a listed architectural gem. The house contains a small museum room with a shoemaker’s original workshop.

Dieter’s Stone and Mining Collection brings together natural history and mining history. Its exhibition space of over 35 m² displays mining tools, minerals and fossils. There are also selected rocks from around 130 sites around Kaiserslautern. The mine lamps range from pine splints to modern rechargeable lamps. Traditional miners’ ceremonial costumes from the Saarland, the Ore Mountains, Austria-Hungary, Upper Bavaria and Upper Silesia are displayed on life-size figures. The collection thus brings together different tools, geological specimens and regional costumes.

Church and Architectural History

The Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of St Mary was built in 1927 in the Neo-Baroque style. Its appearance is defined by white-rendered exterior walls, a pitched roof covered with red tiles over the nave, and red sandstone surrounds on the windows and doors. The building’s history is also notable: the church burned down completely during the Second World War. It was subsequently rebuilt in a similar form and reopened in 1950. Its construction, destruction and reconstruction are all part of its architectural history.

Forest Walk and Natural History

The “Forest Bathing between Erzhütten and Erfenbach” walk takes about an hour, covers around 3 km and is suitable for children and those who enjoy a leisurely outing. It offers a manageable time commitment for anyone planning to include a walk in the forest with others during their trip. This is distinct from the “forest bathing area”: to reach it, follow the signs from the car park on the power line track between Erzhütten and Erfenbach; it is about a 15-minute walk.

The Lautrer Children’s Forest was created on a forested area of about 10,000 m² between Erzhütten and Erfenbach. Storm Kyrill devastated this area in January 2007. The historic section of Erfenbach Cemetery offers another peaceful view of the town’s past: it has a typical sandstone wall and valuable old lime trees. As the cemetery is an active site, please be respectful when visiting.

A Taste of Local Life

A brewery was established in early 2018 in the former pigsty of the Schermer farm. It brews a dark, naturally cloudy beer using three preferred varieties of malt. Check before your trip to see whether the beer is available.

Discover more destinations: Erzenhausen, Neuhemsbach, Bruchmühlbach-Miesau, Krickenbach, Kaiserslautern, Hütschenhausen, Bann, Frankenstein.

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