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Holidays in Hanau
Hanau, known as the "Brothers Grimm City," offers a rich mix of history, culture, and nature. As the birthplace of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, it holds a special place along the German Fairy Tale Route.
History and Description
Birthplace of the Brothers Grimm: Hanau's most famous claim is being the birthplace of the renowned linguists and fairy tale collectors, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. This legacy is celebrated throughout the city.
Historical Development: The town's inner core dates back to 1143, developing into a town by 1303. It grew to become a powerful capital of the County of Hanau-Münzenberg after the 16th century.
Second World War Damage: The city center was heavily damaged during World War II but was subsequently rebuilt, often following original plans, such as the New Town Hall (built in the Baroque style).
Location: Hanau is located at the confluence of the Main and Kinzig rivers in the state of Hesse, serving as the starting point of the German Fairy Tale Route.
Typical Foods (Hessian Specialties)
While Hanau is in the state of Hesse, which has regional culinary variations, you can expect to find specialties typical of the region:
Frankfurter Grüne Soße (Green Sauce): A cold sauce made with a mixture of seven fresh herbs (borage, chervil, cress, parsley, salad burnet, sorrel, and chives), often served with boiled potatoes and hard-boiled eggs.
Handkäse mit Musik: A small, sour milk cheese often served marinated in oil, vinegar, caraway seeds, pepper, salt, and onions. The "Musik" (music) is a humorous reference to the intestinal sounds the onions might cause!
Apfelwein (Apple Wine) or "Äbbelwoi": The state drink of Hesse, a cloudy cider that is traditionally served in a special diamond-patterned glass called a Geripptes. It is poured from a large stone-glazed jug called a Bembel.
Frankfurter Schnitzel: A dish similar to Wiener Schnitzel, often made with veal or pork, traditionally served with the aforementioned Grüne Soße.
Activities, Sights, and Shops
Key Activities & Sights
Brothers Grimm National Monument: An iconic double statue of the brothers located in the heart of town on the Marktplatz.
Philippsruhe Palace (Schloss Philippsruhe): A splendid Baroque-style palace on the banks of the River Main, featuring a historical museum, extensive English landscape park, and the GrimmsMärchenReich (Grimm's Fairytale Kingdom) museum area. It also hosts the Brothers Grimm Festival in its covered amphitheater.
Wilhelmsbad State Park (Staatspark Wilhelmsbad): Historic 18th-century spa facilities, including a historic carousel, a pseudo-medieval castle ruin, and the Hessian Doll and Toy Museum.
German Goldsmiths' House (Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus): A striking red-and-white half-timbered building that was once the old town hall. It now serves as a museum showcasing the art of goldsmiths and jewelers.
Steinheim Old Town (Altstadt Steinheim): A picturesque old town with half-timbered houses and the Steinheim Castle Museum.
Shopping
Marktplatz (Market Square): The heart of Hanau, which hosts one of the most beautiful weekly farmers' markets in Hesse on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Freiheitsplatz: A central area featuring the new Town Hall and a modern shopping center, Forum Hanau.
Attractive Retail Offerings: The city is known as a regional shopping center, with pedestrian malls, long shopping nights, and "shopping Sundays."
Festivals and Events
Brothers Grimm Festival (Brüder-Grimm-Festspiele): The most prominent annual event, held in the summer (typically June/July/August) in the covered amphitheater at Philippsruhe Palace, showcasing theatrical adaptations of the famous fairy tales.
Lamboy Festival (Lamboyfest): A centuries-old, three-day event in June that brings colorful activity, conjurers, music, and food to the alleys and plazas of the old town.
Hanau Garden Festival (Das Gartenfest): An international sales exhibition for garden, living, lifestyle, and culture, held annually in the beautiful setting of the State Park Hanau-Wilhelmsbad.
Traditional Christmas Fair: Held in the winter at the foot of the Brothers Grimm National Monument.
Nature Attractions
Wildpark Alte Fasanerie Klein-Auheim (Wildlife Park): A large wildlife park featuring more than 40 Central and Northern European animal species, woodlands, and meadows—a great experience for nature lovers.
Philippsruhe Castle Park & Wilhelmsbad State Park: Both offer extensive and beautiful English landscape gardens perfect for leisurely strolls and relaxation.
Main and Kinzig Rivers: Hanau's location offers beautiful river scenery, with opportunities for scenic walks along the riverbanks.
Dietesheim Quarries: A popular recreational area nearby featuring an impressive lake landscape, high cliffs, and bizarre rock formations, ideal for walking and hiking.
Nature Preserves and Protection Areas: The municipal area of Hanau includes numerous parks, nine nature preserves, and seven landscape protection areas.
History and Description
Birthplace of the Brothers Grimm: Hanau's most famous claim is being the birthplace of the renowned linguists and fairy tale collectors, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. This legacy is celebrated throughout the city.
Historical Development: The town's inner core dates back to 1143, developing into a town by 1303. It grew to become a powerful capital of the County of Hanau-Münzenberg after the 16th century.
Second World War Damage: The city center was heavily damaged during World War II but was subsequently rebuilt, often following original plans, such as the New Town Hall (built in the Baroque style).
Location: Hanau is located at the confluence of the Main and Kinzig rivers in the state of Hesse, serving as the starting point of the German Fairy Tale Route.
Typical Foods (Hessian Specialties)
While Hanau is in the state of Hesse, which has regional culinary variations, you can expect to find specialties typical of the region:
Frankfurter Grüne Soße (Green Sauce): A cold sauce made with a mixture of seven fresh herbs (borage, chervil, cress, parsley, salad burnet, sorrel, and chives), often served with boiled potatoes and hard-boiled eggs.
Handkäse mit Musik: A small, sour milk cheese often served marinated in oil, vinegar, caraway seeds, pepper, salt, and onions. The "Musik" (music) is a humorous reference to the intestinal sounds the onions might cause!
Apfelwein (Apple Wine) or "Äbbelwoi": The state drink of Hesse, a cloudy cider that is traditionally served in a special diamond-patterned glass called a Geripptes. It is poured from a large stone-glazed jug called a Bembel.
Frankfurter Schnitzel: A dish similar to Wiener Schnitzel, often made with veal or pork, traditionally served with the aforementioned Grüne Soße.
Activities, Sights, and Shops
Key Activities & Sights
Brothers Grimm National Monument: An iconic double statue of the brothers located in the heart of town on the Marktplatz.
Philippsruhe Palace (Schloss Philippsruhe): A splendid Baroque-style palace on the banks of the River Main, featuring a historical museum, extensive English landscape park, and the GrimmsMärchenReich (Grimm's Fairytale Kingdom) museum area. It also hosts the Brothers Grimm Festival in its covered amphitheater.
Wilhelmsbad State Park (Staatspark Wilhelmsbad): Historic 18th-century spa facilities, including a historic carousel, a pseudo-medieval castle ruin, and the Hessian Doll and Toy Museum.
German Goldsmiths' House (Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus): A striking red-and-white half-timbered building that was once the old town hall. It now serves as a museum showcasing the art of goldsmiths and jewelers.
Steinheim Old Town (Altstadt Steinheim): A picturesque old town with half-timbered houses and the Steinheim Castle Museum.
Shopping
Marktplatz (Market Square): The heart of Hanau, which hosts one of the most beautiful weekly farmers' markets in Hesse on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Freiheitsplatz: A central area featuring the new Town Hall and a modern shopping center, Forum Hanau.
Attractive Retail Offerings: The city is known as a regional shopping center, with pedestrian malls, long shopping nights, and "shopping Sundays."
Festivals and Events
Brothers Grimm Festival (Brüder-Grimm-Festspiele): The most prominent annual event, held in the summer (typically June/July/August) in the covered amphitheater at Philippsruhe Palace, showcasing theatrical adaptations of the famous fairy tales.
Lamboy Festival (Lamboyfest): A centuries-old, three-day event in June that brings colorful activity, conjurers, music, and food to the alleys and plazas of the old town.
Hanau Garden Festival (Das Gartenfest): An international sales exhibition for garden, living, lifestyle, and culture, held annually in the beautiful setting of the State Park Hanau-Wilhelmsbad.
Traditional Christmas Fair: Held in the winter at the foot of the Brothers Grimm National Monument.
Nature Attractions
Wildpark Alte Fasanerie Klein-Auheim (Wildlife Park): A large wildlife park featuring more than 40 Central and Northern European animal species, woodlands, and meadows—a great experience for nature lovers.
Philippsruhe Castle Park & Wilhelmsbad State Park: Both offer extensive and beautiful English landscape gardens perfect for leisurely strolls and relaxation.
Main and Kinzig Rivers: Hanau's location offers beautiful river scenery, with opportunities for scenic walks along the riverbanks.
Dietesheim Quarries: A popular recreational area nearby featuring an impressive lake landscape, high cliffs, and bizarre rock formations, ideal for walking and hiking.
Nature Preserves and Protection Areas: The municipal area of Hanau includes numerous parks, nine nature preserves, and seven landscape protection areas.
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