General Information
In the centre of Germany, far from the throngs of visitors, lies the fairy tale town Steinau an der Straße. This is the magical town where the collectors of the best loved children’s fairy stories spent their formative years. Here is where the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm spent their childhood. They collected enchanting stories such as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella or Hansel and Gretel.
Steinau is situated in the Kinzig valley about 50 minutes by train from Frankfurt. You will step back in time to a fairy tale town with a street lined with half timbered houses, a splendid renaissance palace, a puppet theatre and a magnificent town hall. The oldest house permanently inhabited dates back to 1520. Almost all of Steinau's splendid attractions are within a short walk from whereever you choose to stay.
A walk along the main street, Brüder-Grimm-Strasse, allows you to soak up the atmosphere of the town. When the Brothers Grimm lived here from 1791-1798 this was the main road for travellers between the cities of Frankfurt and Leipzig.
We recommend a visit to the museum House of the Brothers Grimm. The museum houses a collection of over 200 manuscripts, examples of the brothers’ work, many family portraits and artefacts. It also shows the great contribution they made to language, literature and law. Their work has been translated into 140 languages and is the most widespread literature available after the bible.
Opposite the House of the Brothers Grimm, in the former barn, a museum presents the history of the trade route from Frankfurt to Leipzig as well as Steinau's history up to the present day. It is well worth a visit.
A short walk to the market place (Am Kumpen) leads you to the town hall (Rathaus), the palace (Schloss) and the puppet theatre Theatrium Steinau (Figurentheater). Attend a performance in the puppet theatre whilst in Steinau.
In the centre of the market place you find the Fairytale Fountain (Märchenbrunnen). This fountain depicts many scenes from Grimm's Fairy Tales.
Here you also find the tourist information (Verkehrsbüro) where visitors are welcome and will be provided with information and help.
The imposing renaissance palace is well worth a walk around, both inside and out. The more energetic family members may climb the castle tower which gives stunning views over town and valley. The great hall in the castle contains an exhibition about the Brothers Grimm.
Families with children will be attracted by Steinau's Fun Park. This park has numerous rides with Luna-Loops, trampolines, sightseeing train and other attractions. Next to the Fun Park you will find the Europe Climbing Forest Steinau in a fantastic beech forest, covering a size of approx. 20,000 sqm.
In the north of Steinau the Devil's Cave offers fascinating insights into the geology of the landscape between Spessart and Vogelsberg. It is Hesse's oldest accessible show cave.
Tourist Office, Brüder Grimm Straße 70, 36396 Steinau an der Straße, Germany
Phone: 0049 (0) 6663 97388 Fax: 0049 (0) 6663 97389
E-mail: verkehrsbuero@steinau.de, www.steinau.de