Kappel-Grafenhausen: Quarry Lake and Organ History

In Kappel-Grafenhausen, the quarry lake in Kappel and the organ in the parish church of St. James in Grafenhausen are among the local points of interest. They appeal to different interests: a large sunbathing lawn and shallow access to the water at the lake, and a specific history of expansion at the organ. The wider Ortenau district adds nature and cultural themes from the region to the local perspective.

At the Quarry Lake and the Parish Church

The quarry lake in Kappel has a large sunbathing lawn and shallow access to the water. Swimming is at your own risk. If you plan to visit the lake for a swim, bear this condition in mind.

The organ in the parish church of St. James in Grafenhausen was expanded in 1890 by August Merklin, adding four stops and a second manual. The year, the organ builder, and both parts of the expansion give the local cultural theme a clear historical connection.

Nature and Culture in the Ortenau District

The Ortenau district lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. The district has 23 nature reserves with a total area of around 3,110 hectares; they extend from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest.

The Taubergießen nature reserve covers 1,695 hectares and is one of the largest nature reserves in Baden-Württemberg. More than 200 bird species can be observed there in the vicinity of the destination, including the now-rare kingfisher. The district overview and the area figure for Taubergießen refer to different scales: around 3,110 hectares refers to all 23 nature reserves in the Ortenau district combined, while 1,695 hectares refers to Taubergießen itself.

In the Ortenau district, Rulantica offers water fun for the whole family all year round. Rulantica features numerous indoor and outdoor water attractions, as well as the Hyggedal relaxation and sauna area. Europa-Park is located in the municipality of Rust.

The cultural attractions cover different subjects: MiMa showcases unique minerals from the Black Forest, collected by the Friends of Minerals and Mining Oberwolfach e. V. A tour of the historic farmhouses at the Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum shows how people in the Black Forest lived and worked up to 600 years ago. While MiMa focuses on minerals, the Vogtsbauernhof focuses on historic ways of living and working.

In Gengenbach, the night watchman's tour includes 12 stops and the traditional night watchman's song. The public tours are free, and no registration is required. Check the dates before your trip.

When choosing a hotel, it may help to distinguish between local and regional attractions. The quarry lake in Kappel and the organ in Grafenhausen are local points of interest; Taubergießen, Rust and Gengenbach, as well as the museums, are part of the wider Ortenau district. Decide what you would like to focus on during your stay, and search for a hotel accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Appenweier, Sasbach, Ettenheim, Gengenbach, Wolfach, Mahlberg, Seebach, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach

View the wider travel guide: Ortenau district.