Bad Homburg v.d.Höhe: Palace, Spa Park and Old Town

Bad Homburg v.d.Höhe can be explored through a range of interests: the palace complex represents its courtly history, museums focus on the history of the town and region as well as nature, and the old town has narrow, winding lanes and courtyards. You can combine these visits with outdoor activities when planning your trip. Consider whether you would like to focus primarily on the history of the palace, exhibitions, a guided visit or outdoor exercise.

Palace history and insights into the past

Bad Homburg Palace once served as the residence of the Landgraves of Hesse-Homburg and as a summer residence for the Prussian king and German Emperor Wilhelm II. Sights within the palace complex include the imperial apartments of the last German imperial couple. Anyone interested in the palace’s history will find a tangible connection there to its former use. Enjoy the view from the White Tower in the palace; check the latest access details before your visit.

The Gothic House also combines architectural history with a museum visit. The hunting lodge was built in 1823 at the request of Landgravine Elizabeth for her husband, Landgrave Friedrich VI Joseph, in the Großer Tannenwald. Today, it houses the Gothic House Bad Homburg Museum. Its collections cover the history of Hesse-Homburg and the region, as well as exhibits on cultural and art history. This gives it a different focus from the palace complex: the emphasis here is on the region’s history and cultural history collections.

Museums, Russian Church and Old Town

The exhibitions at the Sinclair House Museum change, covering plants, animals, fungi and ecosystems. This complements the cultural and historical focus of the Gothic House with nature-related topics. The Russian Church is located in the spa park. It was consecrated as the Church of All Saints and remains the religious center for Russian Orthodox worshippers in Bad Homburg and the surrounding area. The town offers a guided tour of the spa park that includes a visit to the church. If you plan to take this tour, check the current booking calendar.

Narrow, winding lanes and romantic courtyards define the character of Bad Homburg’s old town. Above it stands the Ritter von Marx Bridge, built in the early 20th century. In the palace park, the name of the “Goethes Ruh” park rotunda commemorates J. W. von Goethe; a path from there leads to the large palace pond. These places offer different perspectives on a visit to the town: the lanes and courtyards are part of the old town, while the rotunda and pond are part of the palace park.

Activities and practical planning

For outdoor exercise, the 22-kilometer Hölderlin Trail connects Bad Homburg town center with Frankfurt am Main. Its length and two endpoints provide a clear guide for planning; no walking time or difficulty level is specified. Specific playing conditions apply at Bad Homburg’s Old Course: members of a German or foreign golf club may play with a handicap recorded on their club card. Golfers who are not members of a club may play with a handicap of 54 and after passing a rules test. Check practical details with the operator before playing.

The Thai Festival takes place once a year in the spa park. It is organized by the Royal Thai Embassy, the Royal Thai Consulate General, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways International and Kur- und Kongreß-GmbH Bad Homburg. If you would like to combine your trip with the festival, check the current event dates. The mini-golf course in the spa park is also a seasonal option: its opening period is listed as April to early October. Check the current hours before your visit; anyone can play there.

The options vary considerably in focus and planning: the palace, museums and old town offer cultural and historical visits; the Hölderlin Trail is a 22-kilometer route to Frankfurt; and golf and mini golf each have their own participation requirements. Choose your program according to which of these specific options matter for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Wehrheim, Königstein im Taunus, Glashütten, Usingen, Friedrichsdorf, Oberursel, Schmitten, Neu-Anspach

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