FORTE CULTURA Station: Fortress town of Büdingen (DE)
Büdingen - history lives here
500 years of fortress construction in the County of Ysenburg-Büdingen
Anyone for whom stones are more than just walls and half-timbered houses will be enchanted by Büdingen's charm. The medieval old town, the imposing fortification wall with the historic Jerusalem Gate and Büdingen Castle, one of the best-preserved Staufer fortifications in Germany, impress visitors from near and far.
Historic Büdingen is now a listed building in its entirety. Extensive renovations are helping to preserve this unique treasure of fortified cultural heritage piece by piece. Today, the entire complex is considered a prime example of the changing fortress construction since the advent of firearms.
"A piece of the Middle Ages, shown from its most attractive side."
After a visit in May 1952, Albert Einstein ennobled Büdingen's old town with these words
Discover the fortress city on an entertaining city or adventure tour with all its stories, anecdotes and unique architecture. More information at: www.buedingen.info
Get to know the fortified town of Büdingen know:
Büdingen was a fortified town surrounded by a town wall with bastions.
Weir systems Büdingen
Impressive fortress walls with their 22 sandstone towers have characterised the face of Büdingen since Ludwig II of Ysenburg in Büdingen (reigned 1461-1511). These include the Great Bulwark and the Jerusalem Gate. The fortifications, which are more than 2 kilometres long, are partly accessible. This battlements can be reached via the Jerusalem Gate. Today, the entire complex is considered a prime example of the changing fortress construction since the advent of firearms.
The urban ensemble of fortifications and the old town protected by them is unique in its unity and is now a listed building.
Jerusalem Gate (Lower Gate or Cross Gate)
The Jerusalem Gate from 1503 is the imposing, double-towered main entrance to Büdingen New Town and to the two-kilometre-long, partially accessible fortress wall with its 22 sandstone towers. Both gate towers have 3 storeys, each with 3 embrasures.
The alliance coat of arms of Ludwig II zu Ysenburg and his wife Maria von Nassau adorns the archway between the towers.
The suburb was created in front of the Jerusalem Gate as a result of the Edict of Tolerance issued by Ernst Casimir I von Ysenburg in 1712. Religious refugees of various origins and denominations, in Büdingen mainly the Inspired, in the neighbourhood also Huguenots, Waldensians and Herrnhuters settled and brought their crafts and trades with them. The religious refugees, saved and relieved from persecution, gave the Lower Gate (also known as the Gate of the Cross) the name "Jerusalem Gate", which they named after the Heavenly Jerusalem.
There are unique stone domes on the roofs of both towers to cover the towers and staircases.
A portcullis and a wooden drawbridge over the moat originally protected the town from attacks.
In the Sand Rose Museum in the Jerusalem Gate, you can experience a regional speciality of the Wetterau. This geological treasure has only been found in the Wetterau region and in Oklahoma (USA), and the town was fortified with 8 bastions during the expansion of the fortifications by the French from 1810. The bastions had flank casemates, bomb-proof rooms in the lateral bastion boundaries. The right flank casemate of the former bastion II has had many uses since then, mostly as storage.
In 2005, today's Kulturbastion with youth centre was finally built. It welcomes many thousands of visitors every year with its extensive cultural programme of cinema, concerts, cabaret, readings and much more.
Great bulwark and witches' tower
The large bulwark has a diameter of 17 metres and walls 4 metres thick. The 16 gun chambers were accessible on four wooden floors. As the strongest bulwark in Büdingen, it is also one of the largest gun turrets in Europe. It was built in 1491 at the most vulnerable position of the Büdingen town fortifications.
A casemate passageway, the so-called Streichwehr, connects the Great Bulwark with the Witches' Tower (1390), which was originally a defence tower. Extensive remodelling work under Count Ludwig II turned it into a prison tower, which was only accessible from above via a hatch. The time of the witch trials, a long and dark chapter in Büdingen's history, is brought to life at original locations in guided tours such as "Hexenwerk und Hexenwahn".
Ludwig Tower
The so-called Ludwig Tower stands at the north-east corner of Büdingen's fortifications. It bears the name of Count Ludwig II of Ysenburg and Büdingen, who had his town fortified at the end of the 15th century. Legend has it that he died in old age while visiting the tower's construction site. Even today, the inscription GOT GNAD DER SELE above an embrasure commemorates the tragic death of the builder.
Schlaghaus
The Schlaghaus was part of the fortifications of the old town until 1494, when this gateway with drawbridge and battering ram was located as a bridgehead on the other side of the Seemenbach. This meant that the town was better protected from the trade and military route that ran along it.
Only after the course of the stream was diverted was the Schlaghaus integrated into the construction of a new ring of walls (1490-1510).
In 1777, the slaughterhouse became the Büdingen slaughterhouse and was used by the Büdingen butchers until 1895.
The "Büdinger Metzgermuseum im Schlaghaus" near the Mühltorbrücke bridge is dedicated to this traditional craft and its development in Büdingen over the centuries. Since autumn 2020, the "Historic Butcher's Shop" has complemented the museum and educational experience.
Stone house and mill gate
This building got its name as the first stone residential building in Büdingen and served as the town residence of the Counts of Isenburg around 1500.
Next to the main gate is a legendary stuffed boar's head. Büdingen's tour guides also reveal its secret in the most entertaining way. The house is also decorated with late Gothic fish-bladder tracery.
With its fortified courtyard directly behind the town wall, it was not only representative in character. The humpback embrasures typical of the county can be found here in the old town wall.
Bunker Wetterau-Main-Tauber position
The 20th century also left its mark on the fortified architecture of Büdingen. Büdingen was a garrison town from 1936. The Krüger barracks were built from 1935, which became the American Armstrong barracks after the end of the war. Today, after 60 years of American stationing, the barracks have been demolished and converted to civilian use. Of the 19 Büdingen bunkers of the Wetterau-Main-Tauber position (Little Siegfried Line 1936/37), 18 were blown up after the Second World War. One bunker was preserved.
Guided bunker hikes along their ruins combine remembrance with the nature experience of the Büdingen Forest (at the moment there are no regular guided tours - enquiries possible VHC - Der Wanderverein Büdingen)
Ronneburg Castle
10 kilometres southwest of Büdingen's old town is a fortified hilltop castle. The medieval and early modern castle buildings of Ronneburg Castle became the residence of a collateral line of the Ysenburg family in the 16th century. Extensions and alterations in the Renaissance style from this period, such as the architecturally modern embrasures on the stables, the outer bailey with turrets on the field side and the roofed keep, are still recognisable.
As a result of the Edict of Tolerance (1712) in the County of Büdingen, the Moravian Brethren congregation and "inspired" religious refugees settled in Ronneburg and later in the Herrnhaag estate. At the beginning of the 19th century, these congregations emigrated mainly to the USA, but also to missions around the world.
With its castle museum, falconry and excursion and adventure catering, Ronneburg Castle is a popular destination for Wetterau tourism. The keep, with its striking "Welsche Haube", offers a fabulous view over the Wetterau with its viewing platform, and with luck even as far as the Frankfurt skyline.
With a varied programme of events and exciting castle tours, Ronneburg Castle can now be conquered by families.
City, themed and adventure tours
There is a lot to discover in Büdingen. Dedicated tour guides with FORTE CULTURA certification reveal many a secret with humour and in-depth knowledge. Discover exciting stories, historical personalities and much more.
Büdingen with children
As a family town, Büdingen is also a paradise for children and offers a colourful discovery and adventure programme.
Museums and galleries in Büdingen
Büdingen's rich museum landscape takes you on a journey through time.
History
An early Celtic settlement in the region is documented by burial mounds north of Büdingen. The original settlement of Büdingen was founded by the Franks around the Remigius Church, the oldest sacred building in the Wetterau.
The lords of Büdingen, followers of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, made their appearance from 1130. Their castle was built further east to secure the imperial forest (Büdinger Wald) against the expansion of the Landgraves of Hesse, the Prince-Abbey of Fulda and the Archbishopric of Mainz. Büdingen's old town was built as a settlement to the west of the moated castle and was given its first town wall. The von Isenburg dynasty established itself permanently in the Ganerbenburg of Büdingen. However, the prospering town soon became too small. The new town was built from the middle of the 14th century. In 1422, Emperor Frederick III declared the territory of the Counts of Ysenburg to be an imperial county.
During the long reign (1461-1511) of Ludwig II von Ysenburg-Büdingen, Büdingen's townscape, which still characterises the town today, was created. The count was responsible for the architectural protection of the town. He made the proud citizens of Büdingen responsible for their own protection. The county was divided among the count's heirs. As early as 1521, the Büdingen line and its subjects became Protestant.
Calvinism finally prevailed. This marked the beginning of a long and dark period of witch trials. More than 400 executions are documented between 1532 and 1699. It became necessary to counteract the depopulation and economic decline caused by war, epidemics and persecution. The suburb was created in front of the Jerusalem Gate as a result of the Edict of Tolerance issued by Ernst Casimir I von Ysenburg in 1712. Religious refugees of various origins and denominations settled here, in Büdingen mainly the Inspired, in the surrounding area also Huguenots, Waldensians and Herrnhuters, bringing their crafts and trades with them. The religious refugees, saved and relieved from persecution, gave the Lower Gate (also known as the Gate of the Cross) the name "Jerusalem Gate", which they named after the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Architecture
Today's Büdingen Castle developed from a moated castle from the 12th century. A settlement was built to the west of the castle, which was later called the old town of Büdingen. In the middle of the 14th century, the settlement was secured by a town fortification consisting of a town wall, gate towers, ramparts and moats. To the north of the old town, a new district was created through immigration. Around 1390, this new town was also fortified. For both settlements, care was taken to ensure that the streets ran at right angles. There was an undeveloped area between the two parts. The political merger to form the town of Büdingen took place in 1428 and from 1490 a new, double-shelled ring of walls, more massive ramparts and a moat were built around the town as a joint fortification for the old and new town. The Seemenbach stream was also moved to the south for this purpose. The front gate (Schlaghaus) became part of the outer ring of walls and the former stream bed became the Zwinger.
The new main entrance was formed by the characteristic lower gate (Jerusalem Gate) when it was completed. Later forced settlements took place from the early 18th century outside the gates of the city wall in the suburbs.
As Büdingen's fortifications did not suffer any significant damage as a result of military conflicts, they have been preserved as a complete historical complex. The Red Tower houses a model of the fortified town from around 1640.
While many fortified towns dismantled their fortifications to promote industrial and urban development, Ernst Casimir II von Ysenburg-Büdingen and his court architect Victor Melior decided against it around 1850.
Historic Büdingen is now a listed building in its entirety. Extensive renovations are helping to preserve this unique treasure of fortified cultural heritage piece by piece.
The Kölsch garden is now a public perennial garden in the historic fortress buildings of Büdingen's old town centre. This year-round blooming idyll invites you to relax next to the old town car park. There is direct access from the market square.
Flyer Garden Kölsch
The impressive rock formations of the geotope Wild stone is a side vent of the Vogelsberg in the centre of Büdingen above the historic old town. The Sand Rose Museum in the Jerusalem Gate and the Geological Sculpture Gallery provide information about the geological features of the region.
Flyer Wilder Stein
The geotope Büdingen sandstone quarry with its red sandstone, was already used as a source of material by the Celtic inhabitants of the region.
This natural resource was also used for Büdingen Castle and many impressive buildings in Büdingen and the surrounding area.
The now disused quarry is an interesting stop on nature walks in northern Büdingen.
Büdingen sandstone quarry
The Game park in the Kälberbachtal valley with the forest mammal sculpture trail and its wooden sculptures, puzzle boards, movement elements and sensory modules invites you to marvel and experience. The trail has information boards in Braille and leisure facilities such as a leo hut, wildlife park, whirlpool, forest adventure trail, forest stage and an adventure orchard.
Game park
The Büdingen nature, educational and recreational forest attracts visitors to over 300 hectares around the wildlife park with a concept of forest and environmental education in the "DreamForest"
Flyer TraumWald
An adventure-pedagogical forest ropes course and team course "Laubfrosch" offers those hungry for exercise a challenge at Büdingen Youth Hostel
Adventure-pedagogical forest ropes course and "Tree Frog" team course
Event highlights in the fortress town of Büdingen
- FASCHING SUNDAY: Storming of the Jerusalem Gate by the Büdingen Fools and subsequent parade
- APRIL/MAY: Frog parade, gardeners' market and children's festival
- MAY/JUNE: Wine festival
- EVERY 2nd WEEKEND IN JULY: Cultural Night (even years) alternating annually with the Büdingen Medieval Festival (odd years)
- END AUGUST / BEGINNING SEPTEMBER: Countryside tour at Büdingen Castle (Thursday to Sunday) and Open Monument Day (Sunday)
- LAST WEEKEND IN SEPTEMBER: Gallusmarkt - traditional market in the old town and suburbs
- 2nd ADVENT: Christmas magic in the historic old town (Wednesday to Sunday)
to the event calendar of the town of Büdingen.
Büdingen Culture Night 2024
13 July 2024
querWELTein through Büdingen: Under this motto, we will take you on a journey around the world in Büdingen's old town centre this year. Immerse yourself in worlds near and far that invite you to explore and linger.
The Büdingen Culture Night takes place every two years in the historic town centre of Büdingen. On this special evening, Büdingen is transformed into a magical setting and offers a large stage for all kinds of art. Art & culture professionals from the region are given the opportunity to participate and present their contributions.
Inside the historic walls, various exhibitions showcase graceful brushstrokes, acrylic, stone and paper art, as well as cheeky photographs. The museums, such as the Metzgermuseum, Heuson Museum, Sandrosenmuseum, Modellbaumuseum and the 50s Museum also open their rooms and some even present special exhibitions. In addition to all this art for the eyes, musicians and groups on the stages offer art for the ears and heart, ranging from classical music to pop music, orchestras, singer-songwriters and medieval groups to poems and poetry.
Finally, historical and contemporary theatre scenes, actors and dance performances as well as a wide variety of characters in their costumes allow visitors to become part of a great play on the stages and in the streets. The light installations and light sculptures create the right atmosphere for each part of the programme.
Contact us
Fortress town of Büdingen
Büdinger Tourismus und Marketing GmbH
Marketplace 9, 63654 Büdingen
Phone: +49 6042 96370 / Fax: +49 6042 963710
Web: www.buedingen.info
e-mail
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Tourism partner of the fortress town of Büdingen
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