The climatic spa, also known as the “Pearl of the Odenwald”, lies in the Odenwald in southern Hesse and is nestled in a mountain landscape with a great deal of woodland.
Lindenfels has outlying centres named Eulsbach, Glattbach, Kolmbach, Schlierbach, Seidenbuch, Winkel and Winterkasten.
History
In 1123, Lindenfels had its first documentary mention as a holding of the Lorsch Abbey. After that, the town belonged for nearly 600 years to the Electorate of the Palatinate. In 1336, Emperor Ludwig IV granted Lindenfels town and market rights. In 1802, after the Electorate of the Palatinate’s downfall, Lindenfels passed to the Grand Duchy of Hesse and was from 1821 to 1832 seat of the Landratsbezirk of Lindenfels. Later, from 1852 to 1874, it was the seat of the Lindenfels district. After the Second World War ended in May 1945, Lindenfels found itself in the American Zone of Occupation. The US military administration built a displaced persons camp to house displaced Jews. The camp was dissolved in 1948. The designation heilklimatischer Kurort was granted Lindenfels in 1969.
Among the most important yearly events held in town are:
the traditional Burg- und Trachtenfest on the first weekend in August, with fireworks, parade and folk festival at the castle;
the Mittelalterliche Spektakulum in May, with knightly games;
Brauchtumstage in October, at which old Odenwald customs and arts and crafts are presented.
Buildings
In the middle of town stand the Lindenfels castle ruins, which today serve as a popular outing destination. There is also a view into the distance over the Weschnitz valley.
The Bismarck-Warte – one of many Bismarck memorial towers – is found on the Litzelröder Höhe, 452 m above sea level. It was built in 1906 and 1907 by the Verschönerungs- und Verkehrsverein and Odenwaldklub Lindenfels. The tower is 12.3 m tall and freely open to the public. In 1997 and 1998, the tower was thoroughly restored. Up a stairway inside, one can reach the visitable platform which affords an enjoyable view worthy of seeing of the valleys around Lindenfels.
Further sights worthy of seeing are the houseBaur de Betaz, the inner and outer Fürther Tor and various timber-frame houses and Baroque buildings, which line the pedestrian precinct towards the castle.
