Schwalmstadt – The Confirmation Town of Fairy-Tale Half-Timbered Heritage
Schwalmstadt consists of the two historic towns of Ziegenhain and Treysa, together with eleven surrounding districts.
Schwalmstadt for Fairy Tale Enthusiasts
The traditional Schwalm costume is famous far beyond the region itself. It is believed that the distinctive red bonnet (Betzel) worn by young unmarried women may have inspired the Brothers Grimm to write down the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood.
The Brothers Grimm collected this story, along with around 200 other fairy tales, during their travels. They frequently visited the Little Red Riding Hood Country while calling on their brother, the artist Ludwig Emil Grimm, who worked in the nearby artists' colony of Willingshausen.
Visitors can admire the traditional Schwalm costume each year during the colourful parade of the Ziegenhain Salatkirmes, held two weeks after Whitsun, at performances by local folk dance groups, or at the Museum of the Schwalm.
Several fairy-tale sculptures along Treysa's shopping street invite visitors to stop for memorable photographs, while the surrounding fairy-tale landscapes and peaceful forests add to the magical atmosphere.
Schwalmstadt for Holidaymakers and Day Visitors
Ziegenhain became famous as the birthplace of the Protestant confirmation ceremony through the Ziegenhain Church Discipline Ordinance. At the heart of the historic water fortress stands Ziegenhain Castle, while part of the former fortress grounds is now home to one of Germany's most modern correctional facilities.
Treysa's historic old town is characterised by the impressive ruins of the Church of the Dead (Totenkirche) and numerous beautifully preserved half-timbered houses. Wander through the narrow lanes between the Totenkirche and the Witches' Tower, where sections of the medieval town walls still survive.
Each year, the magical setting of the Totenkirche provides a unique backdrop for a wide range of cultural events, making Schwalmstadt an especially memorable destination.
