Ostheim before the Rhön - Ostheim vor der Rhön

Ostheim v d Rhön v S 03.jpg
Ostheim before the Rhön
federal stateBavaria
Residents
3.319 (2019)
height
300 m
Tourist info(0)9777 18 50
Ostheim
no tourist info on Wikidata: Add tourist information
location
Location map of Bavaria
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Ostheim before the Rhön

Ostheim is a small town and climatic health resort in the Lower FranconianRhön and calls itself a culture and activity center. The town can boast the largest Fortified church, the smallest daily newspaper and one of the most successful modern lemonades (Bionade) Germany.

Map of Ostheim before the Rhön

background

Ostheim: Kirchenburg (front left) and Lichtenburg / Bergfried (back right)

The city was founded as a Franconian settlement around the year 525, the first documentary mention was in the year 804, and Ostheim has had town charter since 1586.

In 1433 the place with the Lichtenburg was pledged by the Würzburg bishopric to the Counts of Henneberg, but never redeemed and came with the rest of the Henneberg property to the Grand Duchy of Saxony-Weimar-Eisenach. The Lichtenburg office thus became a political enclave with an Evangelical denomination in the Catholic part of Franconia.

Ostheim became the seat of numerous noble families of the knightly canton Rhön-Werra, at the end of the 18th century there were ten enclosed aristocratic courts in the city. Important dates for the town's history are the years 1780 and 1782, when Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited the town on a business trip.

In 1920 Ostheim came to the state of Thuringia and 1945 after the end of the war Bavarian Administration. Ostheim has also been part of Bavaria under constitutional law since 1972.

Since the Bavarian territorial reform from 1971 to 1980, the localities of Oberwaldbehrungen, Thüringer Hütte and Urspringen have been districts of Ostheim.

Neighboring communities of Ostheim are: Oberelsbach, Sondheim, Nordheim, Willmars, Stockheim, Mellrichstadt, Bastheim, Hausen

The best-known product from Ostheim is the Bionade, a modern lemonade that conquered the European markets as a cult drink in just a few years and saved the manufacturer, the local "Peter-Bräu", from bankruptcy.

Distances
Bad Kissingen59 km
Fulda56 km
Schweinfurt61 km
Wurzburg99 km
Coburg102 km
Erfurt118 km
Bamberg122 km
Frankfurt148 km
Nuremberg186 km
Munich352 km

getting there

By plane

The nearest international airports are the Airport in Frankfurt am Main, in Erfurt and the Airport in Nuremberg.

In the street

  • from the west and north: on the A7 motorway (Kassel - Würzburg), Symbol: ASFulda Nord, there direction Tann / Rhön and Meiningen and over Fladungen to Ostheim (approx. 45 km from the motorway exit)
  • from the south and north-east: via the A71 motorway (Schweinfurt - Suhl), Symbol: ASMellrichstadt, then on the B285 only a few kilometers to Ostheim

By train

The next train station is in Mellrichstadt on the Würzburg - Erfurt railway line, from Mellrichstadt continue by bus (approx. 5 km)

mobility

The city itself is quite clear and can easily be explored on foot. However, there are also sufficient free parking spaces.

Bus routes: city Mellrichstadt circle Rhön-Grabfeld

Tourist Attractions

  • 1  Fortified church. Fortified church in the Wikipedia encyclopediaKirchenburg in the media directory Wikimedia CommonsKirchenburg (Q1727717) in the Wikidata database.The largest fortified church in Germany was built in the first half of the 15th century.
Fortified church from the north
Gaden
Fortified church: St. Michael
Curtain wall
The intact and well-preserved complex has a square floor plan with external dimensions of approx. 66 m x 66 m and consists of a double circular wall and five towers, four of which are defensive towers with different designs and each 25 m high at the corners.
On the inside of the curtain wall are the "Gaden", 72 storage houses, some with a basement, which are used as storage rooms in times of peace and as shelters in times of war. The former moat is no longer preserved.
The center of the complex is the Protestant town church St. Michael, built between 1615 and 1620, as a successor to a Gothic and Catholic predecessor church, which was consecrated in 1410. The new church was designed as a three-aisled nave with a central pulpit and two-story galleries as a replacement for the medieval choir and was one of the earliest Protestant city churches in Central Germany. Baroque elements from the 18th century and a neo-Gothic restoration from 1881 were dismantled in 1960, and extensive restoration measures in the original design were completed in 2005.
Sights of the church are (among others) the Renaissance portals, the wooden barrel ceiling, the pulpit, the organ from the 18th century, the tombs of the local nobility and the baptismal font from 1619, also in the Renaissance style. The ceiling painting on the barrel has a size of 50 square meters and was created in 1619 by the Meiningen artist Nikolaus Storant.
The church castle and St. Michael are freely accessible during the day, church tours: Wednesdays, 11 a.m., € 2 per person. A small church guide is available on site.
Address: Kirchstrasse Tel. 09777/1850 Kirchenburg-Ostheim.de
  • Ostheim Natural History Museum. In the gatehouse of the fortified church.
Lichtenburg: keep
Lichtenburg
  • 2  Lichtenburg, Lichtenburg. Lichtenburg in the encyclopedia WikipediaLichtenburg in the media directory Wikimedia CommonsLichtenburg (Q2175354) in the Wikidata database.A hilltop castle with a mighty, 37 m high keep above the town.
Probably originated in the 11th century, first documented mention in 1156. After several changes of ownership during the Peasants' War, almost completely destroyed and demolished, then rebuilt. From 1816 privately owned and misused as a quarry. Since 1843 the Lichtenburgverein, one of the oldest German associations, which deals with the preservation of monuments according to the statutes, has been concerned with the preservation of the ruin. From 1945 onwards, extensive restoration measures on the entire castle complex were financed by the Free State of Bavaria.
Guided tours through the historic cellar vaults under the Lichtenburg on request
Visit of the keep for a small key loan fee
Managed knight's hall and dining room, beer garden
Opening times: daily 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., closed on Tuesdays
Tel .: 09777 2355 Lichtenburg-Ostheim.de
Hanstein Castle
Old office building Lichtenberg
Altenstein Castle
  • 3  Organ building museum, Paulinenstrasse 20, 97645 Ostheim. Tel.: (0)9777 - 1743. Organ building museum in the encyclopedia WikipediaOrgan building museum in the media directory Wikimedia CommonsOrgelbaumuseum (Q1302561) in the Wikidata database.Musical instrument museum in Hanstein Castle, a former aristocratic residence. The building was built around 1490 and has been owned by the city of Ostheim since 1868. The museum shows 700 exhibits from 2000 years of organ building history from antiquity through the Middle Ages with Romanesque and Gothic to modern times. The program of events includes organ concerts, lectures, specialist conferences and special exhibitions. In addition, excursions to executed objects in the surrounding area are carried out.Open: Wed - Sat from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sun and public holidays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. "sounding tours".
  • town hall from 1587, half-timbered building with carillon and striking outside staircase.
  • Altenstein Castle (Coin), built in 1744, restored in 1999, today a savings bank.
  • Obernitz forge
  • Yellow lock
  • Old office building "Lichtenberg" From the 18th century
  • Öptischer Hof
  • city ​​wall from the 16th and 17th centuries, largely preserved, interrupted only at the five former gates (Falltor, Neues Tor, Rockentor, Brückentor and Karl-Augus-Tor)
  • numerous Half-timbered buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
  • stone scattering bridge at the bridge gate from 1604
  • 4  Ostheimer Warte, Stellberg. Ostheimer Warte in the Wikipedia encyclopediaOstheimer Warte in the media directory Wikimedia CommonsOstheimer Warte (Q2350708) in the Wikidata database.14th century watch tower.

activities

  • Spa concerts in the music pavilion of the Kurpark Tanzberg (north of the fortified church), Saturdays from May to October every fortnight.
  • Rhön sausage market, once a year in autumn / October in front of the town hall. A culinary highlight of the region with international participation and up to 25,000 visitors. Live music, exhibitions and city tours are offered as part of the supporting program.
Info: Rhoener-Wurstmarkt.de
  • Events of the trade association: spring Festival Middle of March, Schnaidmarkt in August and Christmas Market on the 1st weekend in Advent
  • Water nature trail "Life on and in the litter"
  • Weyhershauk nature trail
  • Bionade - Active - Park, a total of 15 signposted Nordic walking and hiking trails, starting point at the "Streuwiese" car park
  • Indoor swimming pool, Completely renovated in 2004, 17 m pool
Ritter-von-Halt-Str. (northeast of the fortified church) Tel .: 09777/1417
  • Glider and powered flight: Sightseeing flights with gliders and motor gliders.
On the Büchig Tel .: 09777/2343

shop

Ostheim is a regional shopping center with 70 specialist shops on site, mostly on both sides along Marktstrasse (B 285). Parking is usually free of charge directly on the street in front of the shops.

  • 1  Gunzenheimer stationery, Paulinenstrasse 32, 97641 Ostheim v. d. Rhön. Tel.: (0)9777 518.

kitchen

  • 1  Ostheimer Bürgerbräu, Nordheimer Straße 14, 97645 Ostheim vor der Rhön. Tel.: (0)9777 9101-0. The brewery produces Pils and Schwarzer Peter (dark beer), it was threatened with bankruptcy in the mid-1990s, the rescue brought the invention of Bionade:.
  • In 1995, after many years of fiddling around, qualified master brewer Dieter Leipold brought the system of lemonade made according to the brewing principle to market readiness: instead of fermenting into alcohol, the sugar is converted into gluconic acid through a (secret) fermentation process. The purely biological production method was the prelude to the triumphant advance of the Bionade as an alcohol-free modern soft drink; it is produced in the flavors elderberry, lychee, herbs and ginger-orange. The manufacture of the modern shower is now part of the Radeberger Group. Further information: www.bionade.com
  • 2  Streck Bräu, Ludwig-Jahn-Straße 11, 97645 Ostheim vor der Rhön (on the north-western outskirts towards Oberwald). Tel.: (0)9777 9265. The Streck brewery has existed since 1718 and produces Pils, Helles, Weizen, Dunkel, Export, organic country beer, three mixed beer beverages and several lemonades. There are articles related to beer in the online shop. Brewery tours on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. in the brewery courtyard, prior registration required no later than the day before.
  • 1  Restaurant-Cafe "Alte Schmiede", Steinig 3, 97645 Ostheim v.d.Rhön. Tel.: (0)9777 455, Fax: (0)9777 350412, Email: . Both international and traditional Franconian cuisine.Open: Thu - Tue 10 a.m. - 12 a.m., Sun public holidays from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Wed is day off.Price: Overnight stays are also possible: single rooms from € 31, double rooms from € 54 (from the 4th night € 3 discount per person).
  • 2  Restaurant Zur Krone, Marktstrasse 34, 97645 Ostheim v.d.Rhön. E-mail: . Open: Wed - Sat 9 a.m. - midnight, Sun 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., daily breakfast buffet until 11.30 a.m., Sunday brunch until 2 p.m.
  • 4  Dolce Vita, Marktstrasse 22, 97645 Ostheim v.d.Rhön. Tel.: (0)9777 358853. Ice cream parlor, street cafe in summer.Open: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., in winter 11.30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • 5  Lindencafé, Gartenstrasse 11, 97645 Ostheim v.d.Rhön. Tel.: (0)9777 3151. Café, gardening company near Halt Rhönzügle.
  • Ostheimer Leberkäs, no Leberkäse in the classic Bavarian sense, but a baked meat terrine made from pork in the French style.

: further information from the inventor: Wienröder butcher's shop, Bahnhofstrasse 2, 97645 Ostheim. Tel.: (0) 97 77 5 54.

  • The Easter stork is a traditional baking in the Easter basket of the Ostheimer children.
In parts of the Rhön and in the adjacent Grave field The Easter stork traditionally brought the children the eggs, because which rabbit lays eggs? The custom can be traced back to the 17th century and is still practiced in Ostheim. The colors of the sprinkles should have their meaning in the Christian faith: green stands for hope, red for love, white for purity and yellow for Easter. The Easter stork is made from yeast dough around Easter time in the Schenk bakery, verifiably since 1683.
  • Available from the manufacturer: Bakery Schenk, Roßgasse 5, 97645 Ostheim (Side street of Marktstrasse, the B285, in the direction of the Kirchenburg). Tel.: (0)9777 767.

nightlife

accommodation

The accommodation can be classified as inexpensive in a national comparison.

  • 1  Pension Rhönblick, Wartburgstrasse 33, 97645 Ostheim. Tel.: (0)9777 1839, Fax: (0)9777 3580283, Email: . Feature: pension.Price: Single from € 29, double from € 48 (including breakfast buffet), children 6-10 years € 12, 10-15 years € 16; plus tourist tax 1 € / day.
  • 2  Hotel-Cafe Kaak, Burgstrasse 25, 97645 Ostheim. Tel.: (0)9777 570, Fax: (0)9777 20 91. Price: Prices: BB: € 27 to € 35 p.p.
  • 3  Landhotel Thuringer Hof, Kleiner Burgweg 10, 97645 Ostheim (north of the town center). Tel.: (0)9777 357760. 4-star hotel, restaurant, arrangements.Open: The restaurant "Krokant" as part of the country hotel is open Mon - Sat 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Sun public holidays 11.30 am - 9:00 pm (hot meals 11.30 am - 2:00 pm 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm).Price: Single from € 69, double from € 99.

miscellaneous

  • RV stand, on the outskirts towards Nordheim, 5 minutes to the city center. Tel.: (0)9777 1850. Price: 3 € / night and vehicle.

Work

There are also two organ building companies based in the organ town of Ostheim:

  • Organ builders Hoffmann and Schindler, Ludwig-Jahn-Straße 18, 97645 Ostheim vor der Rhön. Tel.: (0)97779208, Fax: (0) 97779209, Email: .Organ builders Hoffmann and Schindler on Facebook.The 400-year-old company is active throughout Germany and, among other things, reconstructed the famous Bach organ in Arnstadt in 2000.Last change: Jul. 2017 (information may be out of date)facebook url used
  • Hey organ building, Main street 34, 97645 Ostheim - OT Urspringen. Tel.: (0)9779 322. The 250 year old company is active worldwide and also built the loudest organ in the world. This was installed at the World Exhibition 2012 in Seoul and there on the Sky Towers, the organ can be heard for miles. The instrument sets the tone for the opening and closing of the Expo site, and the national anthems of the participating countries and concerts are played on it.

health

  • 1  Pharmacy lock, Marktstrasse 49, 97654 Ostheim v. d. Rhön. Tel.: 49 (0)9777 1548.
  • 2  Castle pharmacy, Marktstrasse 28, 97654 Ostheim v. d. Rhön. Tel.: 49 (0)9777 550.

Practical advice

Brief information
Phone code09777
Post Code97645
MarkNES
AltlandkreisMET
surface40.73 km²
Time zoneUTC 1
Emergency call112 / 110
  • Ostheimer Zeitung, Local newspaper, appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Available at Gunzenheimer stationery. With a circulation of less than 1,000 pieces, the sheet is the smallest daily newspaper in Germany.

trips

Ostheim, train station

literature

  • Weiguny Bettina: Bionade: A soda changes the world. Eichborn, 2009, ISBN 9783821857053 ; 246 pages. € 19.95

Web links

Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svgWinter sports in the Rhön

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