The name Aschaffenburg is kind of a mouthful, but I think that it’s fitting since there are handfuls of things to do here. Museums, castles, and ruins, parks and festivals, you name it; history and art abound here, and it’s a great tourist destination for any traveler. Read on to find out all about it!
1. Visit a castle from the German Renaissance
Schloss Johannisburg, or Johannisburg Castle, was built during the German Renaissance from 1605 to 1614, and today is a centerpiece for Aschaffenburg. Some restorations have been made inside and out over the years, especially after World War II. The castle now holds tours and houses an art gallery, a chapel, a museum, classically furnished rooms, the world’s largest collection of architectural models made of cork, and more. There are also luscious gardens and a fantastic view of the Main River, beside which it resides.
Johannisburg Castle
Address: Schlossplatz 4, 63739 Aschaffenburg, Germany
Website: Castle Johannisburg
2. Make your way through the museums
There are several museums here: the Christian Schad Museum, the Kunsthalle Jesuitenkirche (a museum of contemporary art and classical modernism), the Castle Museum, the Stiftsmuseum (an archaeological museum that houses prehistoric, Roman, Renaissance, medieval, and Baroque artifacts), the Natural Science Museum, the Museum of Jewish History & Culture, KunstLANDing (an international contemporary art museum), and the Gentil House, the former home of Anton Gentil (1867-1951), an Aschaffenburg manufacturer who owned an extensive art collection - the house still holds his collections. As you can see, there are a lot to choose from, so if you want to visit them all, make sure you have a few days!
Christian Schad Museum
Address: Pfaffengasse 26, 63739 Aschaffenburg, Germany
Website: Christian Schad Museum
3. Explore the wide variety of art
There’s plenty of art in the museums, but there are also several art galleries you could visit in Aschaffenburg - 25 to be exact. Contemporary, industrial, paintings, sculptures, and so much more; there’s even a showroom called The White Room, which is exactly what it sounds like - artists turn a white room into anything they want. You could probably find any kind of art you can think of in one of these galleries; I think it’s safe to say that Aschaffenburg is a very artsy town.
Gallery 99
Address: Kleberstr 3, 63739, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Website: Gallery 99 (in German)
Galleries in Aschaffenburg
Website: Galleries in Aschaffenburg
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4. Get a glimpse of ancient Roman history
Though not an actual Roman structure, the Pompejanum is modeled after the art and architecture of Pompeii. King Ludwig I had it built from 1840 to 1848, and inside reflects many ancient Pompeiian wall murals, floor mosaics, columns, and marble statues typical of that period. The layout features guest rooms, a kitchen, dining rooms, and 2 courtyards, as well as “Mediterranean idealism” garden area. You can tour the Pompejanum, and special archaeological exhibitions are often held here.
The Pompejanum
Address: Pompejanumstraße 5, 63739 Aschaffenburg, Germany
Website: Pompejanum
5. Take a walk in the park
There’s about 11 parks and gardens in Ascheffenburg, and they each have their own gorgeous landscape. There are many opportunities for recreation and relaxing; there’s acres of wide open space, there’s a pheasantry and a fitness course. I recommend a leisurely stroll, or if it’s nice, a picnic (or both) - perhaps through Schontal Park, a lovely park with some beguine monastery ruins, or Schönbusch Park. Schönbusch Park is an 18th-century landscape garden with lakes and many “foundage” buildings, such as a philosopher’s house, a “friendship temple,” a red bridge, hamlets, a lookout tower, and a classicist summer palace. It’s both a place to relax and explore.
Schönbusch Park
Address: Small Schönbuschallee 1, 63741, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Website: Schönbusch Park
Parks and Gardens in Aschaffenburg
6. Enjoy the markets, festivals, and fairs
No matter what time of year you’re visiting, there will be a market going on. Every Wednesday and Saturday, dealers from all over the world come to the Aschaffenburger Wochenmarkt, a market that has been around since the 12th-century. In February/March, April, June, and October, the market square has a fair, and Aschaffenburg throws a huge festival at the end of August. There’s a also a Folk Festival every June (with a Ferris wheel), craft markets, and a Cultural Days show. You can check the Aschaffenburg website for dates and times.
Markets, Festivals, and Fairs in Aschaffenburg
Address: Aschaffenburg, Germany
7. See other historic places
To immerse yourself more in the historical vibe, you could take a stroll through Aschaffenburg’s Old Town, located around Johannisburg Castle. Styled with half-timbered houses, you can check out old churches and theater squares, and stop for a drink or bite to eat at a bistro or pub. If you’re wandering around town, be on the lookout for one of the many stunning fountains and churches.
Be sure to check out the historic church, Stiftsbasilika St. Peter und Alexander; it was built in the 10th-century, and according to the city website, is the only church in the world to be dedicated to Saint Peter and Alexander. Different parts of the building were completed at different times, and so the church is a mix of Gothic and Romanesque (mainly in the archways and columns) architecture.
Old Town, Fountains, and Churches
Website: Aschaffenburg Old Town (in German)
Website: Fountains in Aschaffenburg (in German)
Website: Churches in Aschaffenburg(in German)
8. Spend the day at Freizeitwelt Aschaffenburg
Freibadsaison verlängert! Das Wetter bleibt schön und die hohen Temperaturen laden weiterhin zum Freibadbesuch ein....
Posted by FreizeitWelt Aschaffenburg on Monday, 12 September 2016
If you’re the kind of person who thinks of swimming pools when you think of vacation, then you should check this place out. There’s an indoor pool with a view of the castle, an outdoor pool with a jumping platform, and even a sauna. Outside there’s also beach volleyball, basketball, chess, a children’s area, and more - and in the winter there’s also ice-skating.
Freizeitwelt Aschaffenburg
Address: Stadtbadstraße 7-11, 63741, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Website: Freizeitwelt Aschaffenburg
An afternoon in Aschaffenburg
If this place isn’t on your bucket list, it certainly should be. Whether you’re there for all the art and festivals, or whether you just want to experience some of the city’s history, you’ve got more than a few options to explore in Aschaffenburg.
History
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