Taunus: Germany’s Evergreen Delight
Taunus is a beautiful mountain range in Hesse, Germany. It spans five districts – Hochtaunuskreis, Rheingau-Taunus, Limburg-Weilburg, Main-Taunus, and Rhein-Lahn. Due to the presence of geothermal springs and mineral waters, the hills house a number of spa towns. In earlier times, aristocracy from around the world would visit the hills just for a good bath at one of the several spas present there.
The mountain’s tallest peak is Grober Feldberg. Other significant peaks are Kleiner Feldberg and Altkonig. Grober Feldberg is 878 meters high.
Location
Taunus Hills is situated in the district of Hesse in Germany, in the town of Oberursel. It is located in the north of Frankfurt in Germany.
Weather
The temperature is highest here in July, where it reaches the peak point at 17 degree Celsius. The lowest drop in temperature is recorded at -0.1 degree Celsius in January. The month of June witness the highest amount of rainfall at around 70mm, and February observes the lowest value. Overall, the climate in Taunus is warm and temperate. You can visit this place all round the year and enjoy the beautiful scenery. However, June is quite rainy so you might face the wrath of rains and it may affect your trip.
History
As far as historical records are concerned, Taunus had been a Roman stronghold until the year 260 A.D. Even though the Romans don’t rule Taunus anymore; Roman essence continues to reverberate itself, in particular through the Taunus Hills. Most of the watchtowers, as well as forts that act as a nostalgic memory of the Roman rule, are still preserved well enough- especially Saalburg Castellum.
But living in the moment is what Taunus Hills are everything about. Hence, the Taunus has preserved its past to create an attractive present. And clearly, it has been successful so far.
Taunus Hills: An Evergreen Delight
A mountain range surrounded by three rivers- The Rhine, Main, and Lahn, Taunus Hills are an absolute visual delight. But it is more than just a hill surrounded by water. It is a beautiful reminder of its Roman past- with the Roman Limes running parallel to its wooded heights.
A restored fort- Saalburg is one of many major tourist attractions of the Hill. At the right time of the year, visitors can get to breathe in fresh air sundry with the smell of baked Roman bread. And if after giving your nostrils a treat, you want the rest of your body, soul as well as mind to feel free and light, do not miss out on a visit to some of the Germany’s oldest spas. The one located in Bad Homburg is a spectacular place that acted as a resort even for the royals across the globe.
This hill caters to everyone’s needs. With a casino at Wiesbaden, a museum that will let you step back into the past with its well preserved historical identity, the Taunus Wunderland Amusement Park spread around in a space of 5 acres. A petting zoo, and the Theatre that still hosts operas and dramas-opposite of which stands the world’s biggest Cuckoo Clock, no one will leave the place disappointed. A small world in itself, Taunus Hills is always ready to conquer the hearts of its visitors.
Travelling
Getting to Taunus hills is a cake walk. All you have to do is board a special train- Taunusbahn that runs from Frankfurt Central Station right into the heart of the hills. A walk in the wild beauty is perhaps the best way to explore the majesty of the mountains. The best part about the hills is that it is very varied regarding landscape. Where from one point you will witness the awe-inspiring skyline of Frankfurt, the other aspect will take you to the depths of Roman history through the Roman fort of Saalburg. Diving into deep thoughts becomes much easier if you are in the vicinity of the tranquil river Lahn. The highest peak of his picturesque mountain range, The Feldberg will let you glimpse into the jaw-dropping beauty that Germany is so well known for.
If you are still unsure as to how to go out exploring this seemingly unending natural beauty, you can always visit the Taunus Information Centre that is located in the town of Oberursel. It contains a tourist information service, a restaurant, and an exhibition center.
Why visit?
You should visit Taunus Hills to be stress-free and achieve inner peace. It might sound very deep and philosophical, but it is a simple statement that holds much truth. Here, elements of nature such as Air, Water and Earth come together to calm you down and help you reconnect with your soul and inner self.
A walk in the woods with your kith and kin will not only give you a memorable day to look back to but also help you to establish closer bonds with all of them in a serene surrounding. Aesthetically speaking, Taunus Hills is the best place to witness God’s own art and architecture. The majestic mountains and splendid rivers will make you a humble human being. And once you are humbled and accepting of natural beauty, you will experience the true exquisiteness of life itself.
Apart from philosophical reasons such as mentioned above, you can pay a visit to Taunus Hills if you only want to enjoy a great day with your family. With an amusement park, your kids will not frown in boredom even once. You and your spouse can relieve your stress by spending some time in an equally artistic and efficient spa. There are several of them on the hill. What’s more, you can also time travel into the Roman Period in Germany by visiting one of the many restored Roman Castles. A museum is never far away if you wish to quench the ‘history thirst’ in you.
You won’t have to worry about food or entertainment, as a taverna (Roman cafes) will take care of your taste buds with mouth-watering delicacies. And Bad Homburg will greet you with sumptuous beer. Fresh air, good food and a lot of history- what more do you need to make your holiday a memorable one?
Major attractions
Konigstein am Taunus: This was a feudal castle that stood on an imposing ground in all its glory. Today, only its remains are all one can see. But, the real purpose of the castle is its terrace, through which one easily witness an excellent view over the entire town. And the wooded area with all its slopes and patches in varied shades of green is a visual delight in itself. The castle is a well-known spa today.
Saalburg: This Roman Castle is a potent reminder of the Roman past that existed in Germany. It was reconstructed under the orders of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1991, and now it houses a museum where you can explore all aspects of the Roman Empire here, including the armory and shoes.
Opel Zoo: This zoo houses approximately 4,500 animals of 450 species. It also includes a large aviary for birds of various kinds. The Exotarium is home to quite a lot of reptiles, fish as well as penguins. There is also a hive in the zoo which lets you witness thousands of bees at work. Do not miss out on The Grzimek-Haus, which goes unnoticed in the darkness during the day, but at night, you can observe animals such as the Fennec and Tapir, who are night hunters.
What else is around?
- Tropical Gardens
- Senckenberg Natural History Museum
- Messegelande
- Goethe House and Museum
- Liebig Museum of Sculpture
- Romer and Romerberg
So, go ahead and plan a trip to this amazing place with your family and friends. With lots to explore and relish, this place will keep you enchanted for the rest of your lives. Visit Taunus and enjoy exploring the place; you won’t regret it, we promise!