Discover Buchen (Odenwald)

The places described focus on different themes and offer guidance for planning your trip.

Local history at the district museum

The Buchen District Museum is housed in two buildings of the former Electoral Mainz administrative cellar: the Steinerner Bau, built in 1493, and the Trunzerhaus. This layout alone gives rise to two distinct exhibition themes. The Steinerner Bau displays rural and urban parlours, Baier cabinets typical of the Odenwald, clothing, Odenwald traditional costumes and a toy collection. The parlours, furniture and costumes offer a look at different aspects of domestic life and clothing; the toy collection adds a perspective of its own.

At the Trunzerhaus, visitors can listen to excerpts from compositions by Joseph Martin Kraus (1756–1792) in a dedicated room. Music lovers will find a different experience here from the exhibition rooms in the Steinerner Bau. Both buildings are part of the district museum, but their contents differ.

Towers and the history of Buchen

The town tower in Buchen is the Mainz Gate and one of the four former gate towers within the town fortifications. The Blecker, Buchen’s widely known carnival symbol, stands above the outer archway. The Wartturm tower highlights a different aspect of local history: it stands southeast of Buchen on the Wartberg, which is 394 metres above sea level, and is 14 metres high. According to its building inscription, it was built or renovated in 1490. In times of war, it served as a watchtower from which residents of the fortified medieval town could be warned of approaching enemy troops. Thus, the town tower is associated chiefly with the former gate and the carnival symbol, while the Wartturm is known for its traditional role in observation and warning.

Geology and a cave visit

The Eberstadt stalactite cave is 600 metres long and is estimated to be three to five million years old. It can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Advance reservations online or by phone are requested, as admission is not guaranteed without a reservation. Check the visitor information in advance if you plan to visit the cave.

At several stations in the visitor centre, multimedia presentations explain the history of the Earth and the Muschelkalk sea in an accessible way. A geological educational trail also starts at the cave car park. Its information boards cover geology, landscape and ecology. This topic therefore focuses both on the history of the Earth and the Muschelkalk sea, and on the geological and ecological features of the landscape.

Walking and cycling routes

A walking route passes St Oswald’s Church, the Old Town Hall of Buchen, the Beginenklösterle and the town tower, also known as the Mainz Gate. Visitors interested in these landmarks can explore them as stops along a walk; the route brings together historic and religious sights.

The Sculpture Cycle Route offers a longer regional ride: this 77-kilometre route connects tourist destinations across the region and follows two loops. A total of 25 sculptures line the route, and the western loop passes through Buchen. Unlike the walking route, with its named buildings, this cycle route focuses on exploring the region by bike and on the artworks along the way.

Wildlife and landscape

Hasenwald Wildlife Park is located in Hettingen, a district of Buchen. The Vogelfreunde e.V. association cares for a small animal park covering around 9,000 square metres and integrated into a woodland. It includes aviaries with various bird species, as well as animals such as sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats and a pony. A woodland discovery trail and a small playground round out the facilities. Wildlife watching, the woodland theme and the playground each offer a different focus.

The landscape around Buchen is also characterised by forests, flower-filled meadow valleys and babbling streams. Together with the named routes and nature attractions, this setting complements the town’s historical highlights. When looking for a hotel, you can choose according to whether you want to focus your stay on museums and history, geology and the cave, or wildlife and landscape.

Discover more destinations: Schefflenz, Obrigheim, Seckach, Neckarmühlbach, Neunkirchen.

Return to the regional travel overview: Neckar-Odenwald District.