This medieval German town has a ten-towered Town Hall from 1509, restored half-timbered houses, and the world's largest collection of bentwood furniture at the Thonet Museum.
Frankenberg (Eder) grew around the intersection of two medieval trade routes in northern Hesse, Germany. From the market square, you'll see the 1509 Town Hall with its ten towers rising above the cobblestones. Walk through Neue Gasse to find rows of restored 15th and 16th-century half-timbered houses, or climb 99 steps up the Hexenturm's spiral staircase for views across the Eder Valley. Inside the Thonet Museum, original bentwood chairs from the 1800s tell the story of Michael Thonet's furniture-making revolution.
Medieval Architecture in the Old Town
The narrow streets of Old Town and New Town wind past half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Steinhaus, built in 1240, survived the great fire of 1476 with its stone walls intact. Along Neue Gasse and Steingasse, you'll find houses with exposed wooden beams and decorative carvings typical of medieval northern Hesse. Local vendors sell fresh produce and regional specialties at the Obermarkt every Saturday from 8 AM to noon.
The Ten-Towered Town Hall
The 1509 Town Hall stands between the Upper and Lower Markets, its ten towers representing the town's medieval guilds. Each tower has unique architectural details and decorative elements. You can join guided tours of the Old Town and Town Hall from April through October, starting Saturdays at 10:30 AM at the water basin in front of the building.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Dampfmaschinenmuseum contains Germany's largest steam engine and transforms into a performance space for concerts and events. At the Thonet Museum, you'll find the world's most extensive collection of bentwood furniture, including original pieces from the 1800s. The St. Georgenberg, a former Cistercian monastery, now houses exhibits about local history. Visit Tuesday and Friday (10 AM-noon), Wednesday (3-5 PM), or Sunday (1-5 PM).
Cycling and Walking Routes
The Eder Valley's marked trails begin at Frankenberg. Follow the Hänsel-und-Gretel bicycle path through villages and forests connected to the Brothers Grimm. Children can explore nature stations along the Wald-Wichtel-Weg in Rengershausen. For longer trips, connect to the R6 and R8 cycling routes, the Oranier-Route, or the Lahn-Eder-Radweg. The Hessenweg 1 links to regional hiking networks.
Annual Events
The five-day Pfingstmarkt brings food stalls, carnival rides, and live music to town each spring, drawing 250,000 visitors. In May, streets fill with music and food during the Maistadtfest. Nightgroove turns local venues into concert spaces for one evening of live performances. The Ederberglandhalle hosts theater productions, concerts, and cultural events throughout the year.
