Laudenbach: Castle, Quarry of Sound and Main River Landscape

Laudenbach on the Main combines the history of a Baroque castle and a traditional local custom with distinctive scenery and experiences along the river. Visitors wishing to include culture, nature and outdoor activities in their travel plans will find a range of options: the castle complex and local customs, the quarry of sound, the Main, and cycling and hiking routes.

Landscape between the Odenwald and the Main

Near Laudenbach, the Odenwald descends steeply into the Main Valley, giving the municipality both the landscape of a low mountain region and a river landscape. From the heights above the town, the view stretches across the Main Valley to the Spessart hills on the opposite bank.

Castle, building history and local customs

Laudenbach’s Baroque castle was built between 1717 and 1747 by Josepha Maria Elisabeth, née Baroness von Eyb and widow of Lieutenant General Reichart von Fechenbach. The castle complex includes a picturesque park with rare trees and a garden pavilion. The onion dome of the former Rococo church has been preserved as another landmark alongside the castle.

Laudenbach’s Easter night singing is also an important part of local customs. Practiced during Holy Week, this is a traditional begging custom featuring three-part male singing. It has been documented since 1908 and is considered one of the last surviving forms of a custom that was once widespread.

Quarry of sound and activities on the Main

On the outskirts of town is a former red sandstone quarry, now equipped with large sound installations. At the “Quarry Sound Experience,” children and adults can make music with the tubes, humming stone, dendrophone and xylophone installed there, and try musical experiments. The quarry is also a good place to play and picnic. The Main near Laudenbach offers opportunities for water sports, fishing and boat trips.

The quarry of sound is signposted from the nature park car park on the MIL3 road (Odenwaldstraße) outside Laudenbach and is easy to reach on foot.

Cycling and hiking routes

The Main Cycle Route passes through Laudenbach; this easy cycling tour is 55.0 kilometres long. The Brunnthal hike is an easy, 14.6-kilometre circular route between Laudenbach on the Main and Michelstadt-Vielbrunn. It leads through the picturesque Brunnthal valley, with its springs and fishponds. The highlight of the Brunnthal hike is the Lauseiche, a natural monument more than 300 years old and one of the oldest oak trees in the Odenwald. Hikers can use the “Tal Laudenbach” nature park car park on Odenwaldstraße (MIL3).

Miltenberg as a broader cultural destination

In the wider travel destination of Miltenberg, the Stadt Museum presents the town’s and region’s history in three historic half-timbered houses on Miltenberg’s market square, the Schnatterloch. Certified tour guides take groups or individual visitors on tours through Miltenberg’s old town; specific tour options may change. The “3 im Wald” adventure trail combines a barefoot nature trail, an art trail and a tree interpretation trail.

The Miltenberg District Cultural Weeks take place every year from mid-September and offer a varied programme for all ages. They include concerts of classical and contemporary music, as well as jazz and electronic music events. Specific event dates vary; check them if you are planning your trip around them. The TAG Churfranken e.V. brings together 25 towns, most of them situated along the Main.

Discover more destinations: Kleinwallstadt, Erlenbach Am Main, Dorfprozelten, Kirchzell, Collenberg, Stadtprozelten, Weilbach, Amorbach.

Back to the wider travel overview: Miltenberg.