Discover Hemsbach

Hemsbach brings together historic sites, contemporary art, and opportunities for hiking and exercise. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in town, these interests can shape your priorities in different ways. When choosing a hotel, it may help to decide first whether you want to focus mainly on history and exhibitions or include outdoor activities.

History and Art in Hemsbach

Hemsbach’s Jewish cemetery was first mentioned in 1674 and contains more than a thousand gravestones. The Ritterhaus is probably Hemsbach’s oldest surviving estate and belonged to the former castle. Another historical landmark is the Waldnerturm, also known as the Vierritterturm: it was built in the mid-19th century by the owner of the Waldnerhof. These sites represent different aspects of Hemsbach’s history—from a cemetery with its many gravestones and an estate associated with the former castle to a tower with two names.

As a different cultural highlight, the gallery in the castle showcases contemporary art throughout the year. There are about six exhibitions annually. The cultural offerings thus range from historic sites and buildings to an ongoing program of exhibitions featuring contemporary art.

Hiking and Exercise

Hemsbach has well-maintained, marked hiking trails within the Bergstraße-Odenwald Geo-Nature Park. The trail around Wiesensee in Hemsbach is about two meters wide and has no inclines. Information about the hiking trails highlights their markings and condition; for the Wiesensee trail, the focus is on its width and incline. Check the current conditions on site before your visit.

Guided hikes are another way to experience the Hemsbach forest and surrounding area. Robert Pauli leads the tours in cooperation with the City of Hemsbach. Specific dates and details may vary by event, so check the latest information in advance.

The alla hopp! facility in Hemsbach covers about 18,000 square meters. Its amenities include a Mikado forest, a climbing structure, beach volleyball, boules, swings, slides, and sand-and-water play areas. This mix brings together different types of play and exercise in one place. The facility therefore offers a different focus from the hiking trails: it features specific play and sports amenities, while the trails focus on exercise along marked routes.

More to Explore in the Rhein-Neckar District

The wider destination of the Rhein-Neckar district offers other distinct attractions in different locations across the district. In Schwetzingen, the Electoral Palace has a Rococo theater and a world-famous park; asparagus has also been grown there for around 350 years. In Ladenburg, the historic town center still reflects the Middle Ages and, in part, the Roman era. In Wiesloch, sections of the former town wall and defensive towers have been preserved. The region thus brings together a range of historical highlights: the palace and park in Schwetzingen, the historic town center in Ladenburg, and the surviving fortifications in Wiesloch.

The Rhein-Neckar district also offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Eberbach has 150 kilometers of marked hiking trails. The annual “Ab in den Wald” (“Into the Forest”) program offers free forest tours and excursions throughout the Rhein-Neckar district. The two offerings differ in scope: Eberbach’s figure describes a marked trail network, while the district-wide program includes guided events and excursions. For other interests, the Hockenheimring in Hockenheim is a draw for motorsports enthusiasts, while the Technik Museum Sinsheim displays the Concorde.

Discover more destinations: Wiesloch, Reilingen, Heidelberg, Edingen-Neckarhausen, Mühlhausen, Schönbrunn, Dossenheim, Neulußheim.

Back to the regional travel overview: Rhein-Neckar district.