Hessisch Lichtenau: Mother Hulda, Old Town and History

Hessisch Lichtenau lies at the foot of the Hoher Meißner, along the German Fairy Tale Route and within the Frau-Holle-Land Geo-Nature Park. The town is considered the gateway to Frau-Holle-Land. Alongside its connection to fairy tales, the old town, the history of Hirschhagen and the Romanesque monastery church in Reichenbach each reveal a different side of the destination.

Mother Hulda and the Old Town

The Ars Natura circular trail in Hessisch Lichtenau leads to the statue of Mother Hulda on the church square. The audio tour through the old town can also be started at any time and free of charge. Check the details in the app before your visit.

The Mother Hulda circular trail can be experienced by deaf visitors through QR-code videos in German Sign Language or with an interpreter. This gives visitors two specific ways to access the trail’s content.

Hirschhagen: History on site

Hirschhagen has a sobering historical significance. From 1936 to 1945, one of the largest explosives factories of the Third Reich was built and operated there on an area of around 233 hectares; it comprised almost 400 buildings. The self-guided Hirschhagen heritage trail is about five kilometres long and uses 15 information panels to explain the production of explosives and ammunition under inhumane and life-threatening conditions. It also covers everyday life and the different treatment of workers, forced labourers and concentration camp prisoners.

For visitors interested in history, the Waldhorn restaurant in the Hirschhagen district offers horse-drawn wagon rides through the former factory grounds. Check with the operator for current availability. The two experiences differ in format: the heritage trail presents its content on information panels, while the wagon ride takes you through the former site.

Architectural history in Reichenbach

The Romanesque monastery church stands in the Reichenbach district: a three-aisled basilica built around 1140. This takes visitors back to a much earlier period than the history of the factory at Hirschhagen.

The wider Werra-Meißner district

For tourism, the Werra-Meißner district is part of the Frau-Holle-Land Geo-Nature Park. The region between the Werra Valley, the Hoher Meißner and the Kaufungen Forest features great geological diversity, varied landscapes and a rich range of flora and fauna. More than 35 percent of the Werra-Meißner district is designated as a nature conservation area. The Hoher Meißner is the region’s highest mountain and is considered the home of Mother Hulda.

Seasonal highlights in the Frau-Holle-Land Geo-Nature Park include cherry blossom in the Witzenhausen cherry-growing area, orchid season, pink poppy fields in Germerode and Grandenborn, Mother Hulda’s flower meadows, autumn foliage and winter sports on the Hoher Meißner. The timing of these seasonal displays varies from year to year.

Another family-friendly attraction in the Werra-Meißner district is the Cherry Adventure Trail in and around Witzenhausen. At its 17 stops, visitors can learn about cherries and the diversity of their varieties, try things out and experience the cultural landscape around Witzenhausen.

Choose accommodation based on your destinations

Decide which stops are important for your trip, then compare the locations of specific offers with those destinations.

Discover more destinations: Wehretal, Herleshausen, Rommerode, Meinhard, Großalmerode, Witzenhausen, Waldkappel, Eschwege.

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