Discover Obertshausen: castle ruins, history trail and the Hengster

Castle in the Hain: traces of early settlement

Only a few stones and wall remains of the castle in the Hain have survived. The recorded measurements nevertheless give an impression of the structure: the castle wall, about 2.20 metres wide, enclosed an area measuring 28 by 31 metres. A water-filled moat ran outside the wall, and a tower stood in the centre. The footprint, moat and central tower can therefore be described as distinct elements of the castle, even though only a few remains survive. The castle was first mentioned in a document in 1576. Its remains are considered the oldest surviving settlement remains in Obertshausen.

To understand the site, it is important to note the contrast between the small amount of surviving masonry and the details recorded about the structure: this is not a fully preserved castle. Rather, the historical references link visible remains with an outlined ground plan and the first documented mention. For anyone interested in the town’s early history, this offers a specific starting point for getting to know Obertshausen through its earlier settlement traces as well as its present-day appearance.

Museum, basilica and history trail

The Obertshausen local history museum is housed in the “Karl-Mayer-Haus” workshop museum at Karl-Mayer-Straße 10. Another cultural landmark is the Basilica of the Sacred Heart: since 2018, it has also been a pilgrimage church. Together with the castle remains, these places offer different ways to explore local history and religious themes. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether you would prefer to focus on early settlement traces, the local history museum or the pilgrimage church.

The Obertshausen history trail runs past several stops with information boards. Each location has a QR code linking to further information on the website. The trail is intended to bring local history to life in the cityscape. It complements the individual historical landmarks with a format that brings together multiple stops and on-site information. If you are particularly interested in the town’s development, you can include the history trail as a focus of its own in your travel plans, alongside the museum and castle remains.

The Hengster and the former moorland landscape

The Hengster nature reserve adds another dimension to Obertshausen. The area covers 8.3 hectares, lies within the Obertshausen municipal district and is a remnant of a former moorland landscape. The stated size indicates the extent of this protected area; describing it as a remnant refers to the landscape that once existed here. The local history museum also has a permanent exhibition room about the Hengster. It describes it as Germany’s oldest nature reserve.

The protected area and the exhibition offer two different perspectives on the Hengster: the landscape as a remnant of a former moorland landscape, and its presentation in a dedicated exhibition room. When choosing a place to stay, you can use this information to consider whether nature and landscape are among your interests, alongside local history. The places and features described here bring together early settlement traces, a pilgrimage church, a history trail and the Hengster, without requiring you to focus on just one type of visit.

More places to explore when planning your trip

You can also explore Seligenstadt, Dreieich, Dietzenbach, Mühlheim Am Main, Heusenstamm, Offenbach Am Main, Rödermark and Neu Isenburg as you continue your search.

For the broader travel overview: Offenbach.