Discover Lorsch: Monastery, gardens and tobacco history

Lorsch brings together Carolingian monastery history, garden culture and the history of tobacco. You can focus your stay on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, explore past ways of life at the open-air laboratory or plan a garden visit among peonies and herbs. Four running routes add an opportunity to get outdoors to the cultural attractions. These different themes provide a good basis for planning your days around your interests.

Monastery history and World Heritage

Lorsch Monastery was founded in 764 and added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. At the World Heritage Site, which opened in 2014, you can visit the monastery grounds at Lorsch and Altenmünster, the King's Hall and church fragments. They are all part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the open-air laboratory, you can discover how ordinary people and the families of estate owners lived in the time of Charlemagne—a different way to explore history than looking at the monastery complex.

A trained team offers guided tours of Lorsch Monastery. These include hourly in-person tours on topics such as monastic life, architecture, possessions, the library and scriptorium, as well as the Lorsch Pharmacopoeia and the monks' healing practices. If you are planning a tour, check the latest times in advance. The Zehntscheune exhibition depot offers insights into the monastery's history. The museum centre, run by the State Palaces and Gardens of Hesse, provides more in-depth information about the history of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, particularly its educational history.

Gardens and tobacco history

The Lorsch Peony Garden focuses on the peony's development from medicinal plant to ornamental and showy perennial, complemented by wild varieties and examples of Asian and European garden design through to new cultivars. The garden is open year-round; there are no opening hours or admission fees. Check the latest access information before your visit.

The monastery's terraced, barrier-free herb garden is home to medicinal and culinary plants. It makes a good place to rest and offers an opportunity to learn about monastic medicine. The Tobacco Museum offers a different perspective on local history, illustrating the importance of tobacco cultivation and processing to Lorsch and the region. The town describes it as one of the largest specialist museums of its kind. The collections of the town of Lorsch also tell part of Germany's industrial history; the local history and cultural association looks after them across two floors.

Running routes and practical information

The four running routes in Lorsch initially follow the same path along the Trim-You-Up trail west of the forest swimming pool, through the woods to Mannheimer Straße. There, they branch off in different directions. The shared section therefore continues to a clearly defined point; after that, the routes diverge. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may help to first consider whether you want to focus your stay mainly on culture, gardens or exercise, and choose a location to suit your daily plans.

Lorsch can be reached by public transport and by car. Check the latest connections and timetables before travelling. The Tourist Information Office in Lorsch's Old Town Hall can advise you on leisure activities.

The Bergstraße: countryside and wine culture

The Bergstraße also offers a distinctive regional perspective: gentle vineyards meet the Odenwald in the Bergstraße district. Riesling is the Bergstraße's characteristic white wine grape, while Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) dominates among red wines. You can sample Red Riesling and other Bergstraße specialities directly from producers, in wine taverns or at wine festivals.

In Heppenheim, the “Wine & Stone” trail combines a route of around 6.9 kilometres with approximately 70 information stops. An annual autumn hike takes place along the route on 3 October from 10 am to 6 pm; at five stops, hikers can enjoy wine and food in the vineyards. Check the event details before planning your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Birkenau, Lautertal, Hirschhorn am Neckar, Abtsteinach, Fürth, Groß-Rohrheim, Biblis, Wald-Michelbach.

Back to the main travel overview: Bergstraße.