Steinau an der Strasse - med Bröderna Grimms hus

Steinau an der Strasse is a small German town best known for the fact that the Brothers Grimm grew up here. The German holiday route Fairy Tale Road passes through and you can visit the Brothers Grimm's house.

Innehållsförteckning

Steinau on the road

Steinau an der Strasse is a charming town where you can check out a medieval castle and immerse yourself in the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. We made a short stop here with our motorhome during our summer motorhome trip in Germany.

The city is located seven miles north-east of Frankfurt am Main, in the federal state of Hesse in central Germany.

Steinau on the road

When we arrived in Steinau an der Strasse, we immediately felt that we had arrived in a half-timbered idyll. Perhaps it's not surprising, given that the town is located on the German holiday route."Korsvirkesvägen”.

One of the most prominent buildings in Steinau an der Strasse is the town hall, located on the square. Close by is the Katarina Church (Katharinenkirche), which dates back to the Middle Ages and served as the town's Protestant parish church until 1965. Today the church is used for regular services and cultural events.

In the square there is also the fountain "Märchenbrunnen" (fairy tale fountain). But it was not only here we saw different animals ...

... but also in a window, where two very lively cats were watching. This is always a bit of a fairytale town!

The castle in Steinau (Schloss Steinau)

The castle in Steinau (Schloss Steinau) is considered one of the most important Renaissance castles in the federal state of Hesse. On the outside, the castle is fortified like a fortress or castle, but inside there is the rest of beautiful Renaissance furniture.

The castle was probably founded as early as the 13th century, when it had a prime location along the important medieval trade route between Frankfurt and Leipzig. However, its current appearance dates mainly from the 16th century, when it was converted into a Renaissance castle for the Counts of Hanau.

In the 19th century, the castle began to be used by state institutions and today it serves as a museum. We never took the time to visit inside, but if you do, you should be able to see both the interior and a Grimm exhibition. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday between March and November (2023).

Brothers Grimm House and Museum

The Grimm brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm, were five and six years old respectively when they moved to Steinau with their parents and siblings in 1791. Their father, Philipp Wilhelm Grimm, was himself born in Steinau and now moved back for a good job as "amtmann", which can perhaps be compared to a bailiff. Because of this fine service, the whole family was able to move into the house known as the "Amtshaus".

Today the house where the brothers grew up is on display, along with a museum that tells the story of the brothers' life and work. When we were here, a lot of the information was in German, so we had a bit of trouble absorbing it all, but it was still rewarding to see the place, which tells the story of the brothers.

The Grimm brothers are considered some of the most important figures in European cultural history, and UNESCO has declared the Grimm brothers' tales a World Heritage Site.

The Grimm Brothers' Fairy Tales (Kinder- und Hausmärchen) are, after the Luther Bible, the best known and most widely distributed book in German cultural history worldwide. They are also the first systematic compilation and the first scientific documentation of the entire European and oriental fairy tale tradition. Translations are available in over 160 languages and cultural dialects from all continents.
Unesco

The Brothers Grimm were German linguists best known for collecting and adapting folk tales. And surely tales like these are a collective heritage today? For example, do you remember ...

Hansel and Gretel
Cinderellas
Red Riding Hood
The City Musicians of Bremen
Snow White
Sleeping Beauty?

German Sagovägen

If you like fairy tales, you can choose to follow the entire German holiday route "German Fairy Tale Route" (German Fairy Tale RoadThe 60-mile route starts in Hanau, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm, passes through Kassel, where you can see the 'Grimmwelt' exhibition, and finally finishes at Bremen, which is known for its urban musicians.

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

We only made one stop in Steinau during the day and thus did not stay overnight, but according to the CamperContact app there is the campsite "Am Steines". For ourselves, we instead continued to the "Friedensbrücke" site in Würzburg, which we liked.

More things to see and do near Steinau an der Strasse

If you want to learn more about the Brothers Grimm, it's worth taking a trip to the city of Kassel, where you'll find the "Grimmwelt" exhibition. We also recommend a visit to the beautiful and cosy city of Kassel. Würzburg where you can see, among other things The residence in Würzburg, which is a stunning baroque palace. Even more tips for things to see and do in Germany can be found below.

Have you visited Steinau an der Strasse or the Brothers Grimm house?

Have you visited Steinau an der Strasse, the house of the Brothers Grimm or perhaps any other place along the German Fairy Tale Route? What are your memories of the Grimm Brothers' tales?

Facts about Steinau an der Strasse

Country: Germany
Federal Republic of Germany: Hesse
District: Main-Kinzig
Location: On the river Kinzig, just over 20 miles south-west of Fulda, between the Spessart (south) and Vogelsberg (north) mountains, in central Germany.
Residents: Around 10 000 (2021)
River: Kinzig
Name: The name 'Steinau' refers to stones in the river and 'an der Strasse' means 'on the road' and refers to the historic trade route Via Regia, between Leipzig and Frankfurt.

Facts about the Brothers Grimm house

Address: Brüder-Grimm-Strasse 80, Steinau an der Strasse.
Opening hours: Daily 10-17 (closed 24-25 December, 31 December and 1 January) (2023)
Price: Admission costs €6 (approximately £65) for adults and €3.50 (approximately £40) for children (2023).
Read more: You can find more information at the city's website.

History in Steinau an der Strasse

7th century: Archaeological evidence suggests that there was a small settlement in this area during this time period.
9th century: The first church was built.
1290: Steinau was granted town status by Emperor Rudolf von Habsburg.

16th to 17th century

16th century: This was the city's heyday, when, among other things, the city church was rebuilt in Gothic style and enlarged.
1528-1555: The castle (Steinau Schloss) was converted into a Renaissance palace for the Counts of Hanau.
1561: The town hall was built and soon afterwards the Amtshaus, which was the seat of the amtmannen, the local bailiff.
17th century: Steinau suffered severely during the Thirty Years' War, as well as from looting, fires and the plague.

18th to 19th century

18th century: The town was affected by the Seven Years' War, but enjoyed an economic boom in the latter part of the century. Friedrich Grimm was a Protestant minister in Steinau.
1791: Philip Grimm returned to his childhood home as amtmann. The family was living in his official residence (Amtshaus) when he died. The Grimm brothers (Jacob and Wilhelm) went to their aunt in Hanau to finish their education, while the rest of the family stayed in Steinau in the house 'Die Alte Kellerei' until 1805.

3 Comments

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Lena - gott för själen says:

Imagine how cool it is to create something that makes you famous all over the world for hundreds of years. A dizzying thought! My mum used to read a lot of fairy tales to us when we were kids, so yes, I'm familiar with those brothers' stories.

It looks like a nice city to visit too.

Hug Lena

04 March 2023 - 7:17

BP says:

I too am familiar with the Brothers Grimm and their fairy tales. It was probably mostly the brothers' and Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales that my mum read to me. The house the Grimm brothers grew up in looks like a fairytale castle. Not a straight wall - so charming:-)
The half-timbered houses are fantastic. It's great that they have been preserved and maintained so well.

04 March 2023 - 16:31

Jossu says:

Korsvirkesvägen sounds like a dream. There is probably nothing more charming than half-timbered houses, which I have unfortunately seen far too little of so far.

04 March 2023 - 22:12

Steinau an der Strasse - with the Brothers Grimm house

Steinau on the road

Steinau on the road

The castle in Steinau (Schloss Steinau)

Brothers Grimm House and Museum

German Sagovägen

Where can you stay or park your motorhome?

More things to see and do near Steinau an der Strasse

Have you visited Steinau an der Strasse or the Brothers Grimm house?

Facts about Steinau an der Strasse

Facts about the Brothers Grimm house

History in Steinau an der Strasse

16th to 17th century

18th to 19th century

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3 Comments

Lena - gott för själen says:

BP says:

Jossu says:

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