Discover Krickenbach: Sandstone Art in the Schweinstal Valley

In the Schweinstal Valley, Krickenbach combines a path alongside a chain of lakes with a special encounter between landscape, natural stone and art. Along the well-maintained path stand 13 sandstone sculptures created by artists. If you like to combine physical activity with cultural discoveries when planning a trip, this offers a clear focus for your stay.

Explore the Schweinstal Valley on foot or by bike

The path through the Schweinstal Valley can be walked or cycled from Federal Highway 270 towards Queidersbach. The chain of lakes runs alongside the path and shapes the landscape along the route. You can explore the Schweinstal Valley on foot or by bike, depending on how you prefer to get around; the sculptures along the path complement the natural scenery with a variety of sandstone forms.

Sculptures with distinctive forms

The 13 sandstone sculptures in the Schweinstal Valley were created in 1986 at the first sculptors’ symposium in Rhineland-Palatinate. The diversity of the designs is particularly evident in several works: Michael Dan Archer’s sculpture “Passage” was made from a single stone that was sawn and split. Rainer Fest’s “Von hier aus” consists of three stele-like blocks of reddish sandstone. They form a space that visitors can enter. Albert Hettinger’s “Auf und ab” is made up of two large sandstone blocks and stands 5.5 metres tall.

The examples each offer a different perspective: “Passage” focuses on the shaping of a single stone, “Von hier aus” forms a space visitors can walk into, and “Auf und ab” plays with height and two large blocks. Together with the other sculptures, they offer a varied look along the path at the ways sandstone can be used as an artistic medium.

Sandstone in church, art and craft

The Protestant Church of Krickenbach is also closely connected to the local building material. It was built in 1964–1965 from red local sandstone and has largely retained its original form to this day. The Carl Picard natural stone works is also located in the Schweinstal Valley. It includes sandstone quarries and a sawmill; the sandstone processed there comes from its own quarries. The sandstone used for the 2009 sculptors’ symposium in Krickenbach came from the Krickenbach Natural Stone Park, owned by Jürgen Picard.

The connection between stone and craftsmanship is also evident in the area around the Schweinstal Valley: numerous sandstone features, masonry, facade cladding and sculptures testify to the work of the Carl Picard specialist company and its local products. This allows you to view the art along the path in the context of the natural stone that shapes the local craft tradition.

Seasonal events

Sculpting courses led by sculptor Willi Bauer take place every summer in the Picard company’s sandstone quarry in the Schweinstal Valley. Another recurring event is the Maypole Festival, held annually in and in front of the “In den Dorfwiesen” multipurpose hall. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the current dates in advance.

Krickenbach and the wider Kaiserslautern destination

The wider Kaiserslautern destination also offers its own nature and culture themes to consider when choosing where to stay. The Mehlinger Heide is described as the largest heathland area in southern Germany. An approximately 1.5-kilometre-long nature trail runs through it, with information boards and stops; the heathland is also connected to the Palatinate Forest hiking trail network. For another landscape experience, the Palatinate Forest Trail runs through the district, passing through dense forests and gentle valleys and along clear streams.

Architectural and cultural monuments also add to the regional picture: Otterberg Abbey Church dates from the 12th century and is described as a monumental masterpiece of early Gothic architecture. Nanstein Castle towers above Landstuhl and offers a wide view across the West Palatinate. These examples belong to the wider Kaiserslautern destination and stand as distinct regional attractions alongside the paths and sandstone sculptures in Krickenbach.

If you would like to include more regional nature and culture, it is also worth taking a broader look at the wider Kaiserslautern destination. The themes you would like to shape your stay can be a useful starting point when choosing your destination.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Frankelbach, Hütschenhausen, Lambsborn, Fischbach, Kindsbach, Hauptstuhl, Queidersbach, Otterberg.

Back to the wider travel overview: Kaiserslautern.