Discover Erfenbach

Erfenbach brings together several themes for a stay: the history of the former Bachbahn railway, local collections, listed architecture and woodland walks. When planning your trip, you can focus on industrial and social history, architectural heritage or nature. The walk “Forest bathing between Erzhütten and Erfenbach” is particularly well-defined, with an approximate duration and distance; the other themes lead to various historical collections and buildings.

Railways, art and mining

The Bachbahn Museum presents the economic and social history of the former Bachbahn railway. Models of the stations and displays about the transport infrastructure complement a model railway with around 180 metres of track. The focus is therefore not only on individual trains, but also on the stations and the transport network of the former railway.

The “Haltepunkt Kunst” exhibition at the Bachbahn Museum features sculptures and paintings by Erfenbach artist Rudolf Blanz. As exhibitions may change, check which works are currently on display before visiting. Dieter’s Mineral and Mining Collection offers a different perspective: across more than 35 m² of exhibition space, it presents mining tools, minerals and fossils, as well as selected rocks from around 130 sites around Kaiserslautern. The mining lamps range from pine splints to modern rechargeable lamps. Traditional miners’ parade costumes from the Saarland, the Ore Mountains, Austria-Hungary, Upper Bavaria and Upper Silesia are displayed on life-size figures.

Farmhouse and church

The Erfenbach farmhouse was restored from 1993 to 1996 and is a listed building. Its small museum room houses the original workshop of a shoemaker. Historic building fabric and a glimpse of traditional craftsmanship can be found side by side here.

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 plaster, a pitched roof covered with red tiles above the nave, and red sandstone surrounds on the windows and doors. The church was completely gutted by fire during the Second World War. Rebuilt in a similar form, it reopened in 1950.

Walks and woodland history

The walk “Forest bathing between Erzhütten and Erfenbach” is 3 km long, takes about an hour and is suitable for children and those seeking a relaxing outing. The Lautrer Children’s Forest was created on a woodland area of around 10,000 m² between Erzhütten and Erfenbach. The area was devastated by Cyclone Kyrill in January 2007. The sequence of storm damage and the creation of the Children’s Forest gives this woodland its own history.

You can reach the “Waldbad” from the car park by the power-line corridor between Erzhütten and Erfenbach by following the signs for about 15 minutes on foot. The historic section of Erfenbach Cemetery has a distinctive sandstone wall and valuable old lime trees. As it is an active cemetery, respectful behaviour is appropriate.

Discover more destinations: Trippstadt, Erlenbach, Weilerbach, Krickenbach, Katzweiler, Mehlingen, Dansenberg, Niederkirchen.

For the main travel overview: Kaiserslautern.