Lahn Valley - fairytale romance on the river

The Lahn Valley runs through the heart of western Germany. A tributary of the Rhine with a strong tradition of shipping, the River Lahn is the defining feature of the region. Discover thecharm of the medieval towns, magnificent castles, palaces and churches and verdant, everchanging countryside along its banks. Great poets and fairytale writers found inspiration here for their famous literary works. The Lahn Valley is also renowned as a centre of science and mining.

A tradition of science - Giessen university
Dating back more than 400 years, the university in Giessen is highly regarded in the world of science. The Mathematikum, the world's first interactive mathematical science centre, is a fascinating place to visit. The old and new castles are also well worth visiting. Other attractions include the original laboratory of Justus von Liebig and the "Giessen Art Trail", a remarkable collection of contemporary sculptures. At the Old Cemetery, you can visit the grave of the famous physicist who discovered the x-ray, W. C. Röntgen, who worked in Giessen from 1879 to 1888.

Navigating under the hill - Weilburg river tunnel
Built between 1844 and 1847, Weilburg river tunnel is the only construction of its kind in Germany. Well worth a visit, it runs under Mühlberg hill on top of which sits the town of Weilburg. It also has a road tunnel and a rail tunnel running alongside it.

Flowering splendour - St. Bartholomew's Market in the health resort of Bad Ems
St. Bartholomew's Market in Bad Ems was originally conceived by Count Ruprecht zu Nassau in 1379. The special attraction at this public festival is a giant flower parade, Germany's largest moving flower show. Bad Ems is also a well-known health resort. The "Emser Therme" thermal baths are an oasis of relaxation with more than 1,000 square metres of water and fresh spring water at a pleasant temperature of 32°C.

Fairytale castle of Marburg
A famous university stronghold with a centuries- old tradition of student life, the romantic town of Marburg dates back to the 9th/10th century. However, it was the Landgravine Elisabeth of Thuringia who confirmed its stature in 1228. No visit to Marburg Castle would be complete without exploring St. Elisabeth's Church, one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Germany. The Lahn Valley also has strong connections to the famous fairytale writers, the Brothers Grimm. In Marburg, you can walk along sections of the German Fairytale Route and immerse yourself in their fascinating world. Running for a total of 600 kilometres, the route links a number of "fairytale" towns and areas of countryside.
A famous university stronghold with a centuries-old tradition of student life, the romantic town of Marburg dates back to the 9th/10th century. However, it was the Landgravine Elisabeth of Thuringia who confirmed its stature in 1228. No visit to Marburg Castle would be complete without exploring St. Elisabeth's Church, one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Germany. The Lahn Valley also has strong connections to the famous fairytale writers, the Brothers Grimm. In Marburg, you can walk along sections of the German Fairytale Route and immerse yourself in their fascinating world. Running for a total of 600 kilometres, the route links a number of "fairytale" towns and areas of countryside.

Historical architecture - the German Half-Timbered Houses Route
Sections of the German Half-Timbered Houses Route run through the Lahn Valley, and in particular through places such as Dillenburg, Herborn, Wetzlar, Braunfels and Limburg. You can discover a wealth of historical old quarters with picturesque half-timbered buildings, whose characteristic architecture highlights the medieval charm of the region.

Leading historical figures in Wetzlar
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was very fond of the Lahn Valley and completed a period of practical training at the Reichskammergericht (Supreme Court of the Holy Roman Empire) in Wetzlar in 1772, where he found the inspiration for his acclaimed novel, "The Sorrows of Young Werther". Follow in his footsteps on a special guided tour of the town - visiting sites such as the "Lottehaus", the house where the great love of Goethe's youth, Charlotte Buff, was born. A free imperial city from 1180 to 1803, Wetzlar also has a picturesque old quarter with winding lanes, medieval market squares, pretty timber-framed houses and baroque buildings. Remarkably diverse with its Romanesque and Gothic elements, the cathedral is the town's most famous landmark

"Culinary Autumn" in the Lahn Valley
One of the Lahn Valley's special attractions is the "Culinary Autumn" festival held along the banks of the River Lahn in October. On the theme of "Regional delicacies made using local produce", it is extremely popular with food lovers. The region is particularly renowned for its lamb and beef. The animals are allowed to graze in open meadows where wild herbs grow, giving the meat a strong, spicy flavour and making it a favourite among connoisseurs. The Lahn Valley also produces a wide variety of mineral waters and wines. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a great fan of wine from the Lahn region, and this led the inhabitants of Obernhof to name their Goetheberg vineyards after him. Beer lovers will also find a fantastic selection of locally produced beers. To aid digestion, why not round off your meal with a regional fruit schnapps?