Rotenburg on the Fulda – Old Town, Palace Park and Fulda

Rotenburg on the Fulda combines a historic Old Town with riverside paths and green spaces. The city’s diverse attractions offer practical starting points for planning your visit.

Old Town and architectural history

You can explore the historic Old Town on a stroll or a guided tour, taking in its many carefully preserved or restored buildings. The market square is at its heart and has retained its original layout. The square is home to the Town Hall, a magnificent Renaissance building dating from 1597–1598. The medieval town fortifications are protected as an ensemble for historical and artistic reasons. In particular, the section along the Fulda up to the castle was already protected from further demolition under the first monument protection law of 1902.

The Landgrave’s Palace stands directly on the Fulda. Construction of its present form began in 1570 under Landgrave Wilhelm IV; it was completed 37 years later under Landgrave Moritz in the Renaissance style. The collegiate church of St. Mary and Elizabeth also has a long architectural history: construction for the collegiate foundation began in 1370 and was finally completed in 1530. The church contains a late Gothic baptismal font.

The Mikwe’s permanent exhibition is titled “What Remained” and presents six centuries of Jewish life and activity in Rotenburg and the surrounding area. The bronze figures in public spaces offer another way to engage with history and culture: they depict everyday scenes and historical figures. As you explore the city, you can take in both its buildings and squares and scenes from urban life.

Riverside and countryside walks

The Palace Park is Rotenburg’s largest green space within the city. Mature trees and landscaped paths invite you to stroll and wander. A water-bound path also runs along the Fulda riverbank through the old Palace Park. Walkers, joggers and cyclists can use it, with direct views of the Fulda along the way. The park thus combines landscaped paths with an up-close view of the river.

For a circular walk that takes in different landscape features, try the R5 Storchensee circular walking trail: it follows the Fulda, passes fields and meadows on the way to Storchensee, then returns through the Palace Park. Rotenburg has a total of eight varied walking and circular hiking trails through meadows, forests and valleys. The named R5 trail and the wider choice of routes offer different points of reference for planning your outings.

The Palace Park also has a family-friendly playground with slides, a climbing frame, a sandbox and swings, as well as a miniature golf course. Another way to combine nature and exercise is the forest ball track in the adventure area around the Heienbach valley. Along the route, the “forest bathing room,” with wooden baths and loungers, invites you to relax mindfully in the forest.

Regional market in Braach

In Braach, a district of Rotenburg, the Kuckucksmarkt takes place from May to October on the last weekend of each month. Stalls offer regional foods such as fresh sausage, cheese and bread, as well as handmade products. The market has been running since 1995. As the seasonal dates may change, check the current market days before your visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Braach, Ronshausen, Bebra, Nentershausen, Breitenbach Am Herzberg, Wildeck, Heringen, Hohenroda

Back to the main travel overview: Hersfeld-Rotenburg.