Hanau - Native town of the world-famous linguists and fairy tale collectors Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, and the starting point of the German Fairy Tale Route

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Hanau for friends of fairy tales

Apart from historical landmarks, Hanau also offers nine museums, numerous galleries, and more than 1,000 events per year. A highlight is the Brothers Grimm Festival, which bewitches adults and children equally every summer in the covered amphitheatre of Palace Philippsruhe. From May to July the native town of the Brothers Grimm celebrates its famous sons and the wealth of fantasy in the Grimm fairy tales.

One of the most beautiful places to visit is Philippsruhe, a splendid country seat in baroque style on the banks of the Main with its historical museum, surrounded by an extensive park with orangery, sculpture park and covered amphitheatre. The spa facilities of Wilhelmsbad built in the 18th century, with the Hessian Doll Museum and English Garden, are equally worth a visit, as well as the old town of Steinheim with its mediaeval palace and local museum.

If you want get to know the Brothers Grimm City more intimately, you can join a tour led by one of the competent city guides wearing historical costumes true to the original design. These historical personalities of Hanau town history give a tour through the city’s past and present day. Experience the famous fairy tale collectors "Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm on a round tour to the most important stations of their childhood".

Hanau Historical Tidbits

“No less lively for me in my thoughts is how we two, Jacob and I, went hand in hand across the market of Neustadt to our French language teacher who lived next to the church, and in childish enjoyment we remained standing there in order to watch the golden rooster on the tip of the tower turning back and forth in the wind.”

Thus Wilhelm Grimm noted in his memoirs about Hanau, that confirm the good memories the Brothers Grimm had of the city, where they were born at the Parade Plaza (today Freedom Plaza) in 1785 and 1786.

Hanau for holiday tourists and day visitors

Hesse's largest and most attractive weekly market on the Hanau Market Place has likewise become a crowd puller. Attractive retail offerings, shopping Sundays and long shopping nights make the city the shopping centre of the region.

The wildlife park "Alte Fasanerie" in the borough of Klein-Auheim is also an unforgettable nature experience. Numerous parks, nine nature preserves, and seven landscape protection areas in the municipal area moreover offer the opportunity of enjoying nature in its pure form, and invite you to relax.

In June, the centuries-old Lamboy Festival provides three days of colourful activity in the alleys and on the plazas of the Hanau old town. Conjurers, showmen, a diversified music programme as well as many-sided gastronomic offerings are among the popular attractions.

The open air concert of the New Philharmonic Frankfurt in the State Park Wilhelmsbad has achieved true cult status, and every year thousands of classic fans make a pilgrimage to Hanau in July. In an idyllic summer night, enchanting melodies ensure an unforgettable cultural experience.

In the winter, the traditional Christmas Fair of the Brothers Grimm City is held at the feet of the national monument of the famous fairy tale collectors Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm, and before the setting of Hesse's largest advent calendar, small and large guests are entranced by the enchanting Christmas spirit.

Be our guest and enjoy the diversity of our beautiful Brothers Grimm City!

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