Day of Castles & Palaces - Water Fortress Ziegenhain (DE)
27 May @ 11:30 – 16:30 CEST
The water fortress Ziegenhain invites you to an interesting programme around the parade ground on the Day of Castles & Palaces on 27.04.2025!
An intact moat surrounds the old town centre of Ziegenhain and is still a visible sign of the water fortress today. Between 1537 and 1546, Landgrave Philipp had Ziegenhain expanded into a mighty fortress with walls, roundels and a moat. The castle of the Counts of Ziegenhain was considered impregnable, as nothing was "as strong as Ziegenhain" - to this day a symbol of strength and stability.
Visitors can expect an informative programme between 11.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m:
The event starts at 11.30 a.m. with the Guided tour by the fortress soldier (Aribert Ley) - "The winter that was a summer" - This informative tour focuses on the subsidy agreements concluded under Landgrave Friedrich II of Hesse Kassel and the military buildings of the Ziegenhain water fortress. The fortress was also the backdrop for the film "The Winter that was a Summer". Aribert Ley has some experiences and anecdotes from the film shoot to tell. Cost: €5 per person - bookable online.
Meeting point: In front of the Tourist Information Centre, Paradeplatz 7, 34613 Schwalmstadt
At 1.30 pm the visitor is welcomed by Landlady Johanna (Dr Tanja Goerres) awaits her. In the 16th century, Johanna goes about her work as a cook and innkeeper in the Ziegenhain water fortress. She has a lot to tell about life and the people inside the fortress. In addition to the daily challenges behind the bar table, she also learns about the secrets that take place between the walls of the fortress. Sometimes she feels like a guardian of these mysteries as she juggles between the simmering pots and the curious glances of the fortress inhabitants. Cost: €5 pp - bookable online
Meeting point: In front of the Tourist Information Centre, Paradeplatz 7, 34613 Schwalmstadt
The Museum of the Schwalm opens its doors from 2 - 5 pm. Visitors are given a comprehensive insight into the life of our grandparents and great-grandparents in the Schwalm region, the home of Little Red Riding Hood, which is characterised by tradition, Schwalm customs and crafts. Right at the beginning of each tour, the variety of the precious and extremely colourful Schwalm traditional costumes delights the eye of the beholder. The model of the Ziegenhain water fortress, which was recreated according to 18th century plans and shows the state of the fortress after the bombardment of 1761, is another highlight of the museum.
From 3.00 p.m., guests can enjoy the Fortress history in hidden places experience. The excursion with Bernd Völker (1st Chairman, Fortress Working Group) takes you through the former fortress commander's kitchen garden. The foundations of the former armoury are still visible here. He will also talk about the strategic importance of Ziegenhain and the life of its inhabitants in the shadow of the fortress. Of course, the tour ends with a visit to the bullet cellar. You will also visit places in the fortress that are otherwise inaccessible.
Cost: €1.50 per person - can be booked online. Meeting point: In front of the tourist information centre, Paradeplatz 7, 34613 Schwalmstadt
If you wish, you can book coffee and cake with every tour. The cost would then be €18.00 or €14.50 including the guided tour. The coffee table is set in the Lüderkeller with the appropriate historical ambience. All events can be booked online via www.rotkaeppchenland.de can be booked.
