Schotten: Nidda Reservoir, Half-Timbered Houses and Volcanism

Volcanism at the Vulkaneum

The Vulkaneum features an interactive exhibition on volcanism. It explains how volcanoes shaped the Vogelsberg and continue to influence it today. Visitors can explore the exhibition through experiment stations, interactive exhibits and multimedia installations. Explanatory content, hands-on activities and multimedia presentations all come together. The Vulkaneum is therefore a cultural attraction in its own right, alongside the historic buildings and the lake; its focus is on the formation and development of the Vogelsberg landscape.

Half-timbered houses, church and town walk

The local history museum is housed in the former home of Dr Karl Weber, a Hessian state councillor. The impressive half-timbered building dates from 1816; its interior was redesigned in the Art Nouveau style in 1908. The half-timbered structure and the later Art Nouveau interior represent two distinct architectural periods within a single house.

The Church of Our Lady in Schotten is a Gothic church built between 1350 and 1385. Its winged altarpiece was painted around 1385 by the “Master of Schotten”. It depicts scenes from the life of Mary, includes Hebrew characters and Jewish symbols, among other details, and is considered one of the earliest records of Jewish life in the Vogelsberg. Its art and religious history thus complement the local history museum’s architectural story.

You can explore the historic town walk independently. It comprises 29 stops with information about old half-timbered houses and their history. The stops give the walk a clear focus, bringing together architecture and its historical context. The Alteburgpark lies close to the historic old town. At the centre of the park is a half-timbered building dating from the 16th century, with a moat fed by the River Nidda.

Nidda Reservoir and circular trail

The 65-hectare Nidda Reservoir is formed where the River Nidda is dammed at the southern exit of Schotten; it serves as a local recreation area. The paved circular trail around the lake is 5 kilometres long and is suitable for inline skating, cycling, skating and leisurely walks. This gives you the choice of spending time by the water or following a clearly marked route for exercise, all in the same place.

Facilities at the Nidda Reservoir include boat hire, a surfing and sailing school, a large children’s playground and sunbathing lawns. Some facilities may vary by season. Before your visit, check whether the facility you are interested in is available.

Getting there and activities nearby

The Vulkaneum can be reached by public transport from the railway stations in Nidda, Lich, Lauterbach and Gießen. From there, take a bus to the “Vulkaneum” stop; the entrance is about 50 metres from the stop. As transport information can change, check the current connections before travelling.

The treetop walkway on the Hoherodskopf is near Schotten. The 500-metre-long walkway consists of rope bridges attached directly to the trees. The tree platforms offer views across the Vogelsberg’s hilly landscape.

Two GPS activities start and finish at the Hoherodskopf Information Centre. The GeoCaching course is 5 kilometres long, suitable from Year 3 (around age 8), and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The 8-kilometre GeoRallye includes questions and tasks about the environment, nature and technology, takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, and can also be done by mountain bike. When planning, the two activities differ both in distance and in the estimated time required.

The Vogelsberg as a regional setting

The Vogelsberg is Europe’s largest volcanic region. The Vogelsberg mountain hay meadows are the largest protected areas of their kind in Hesse. This regional context adds another perspective on the landscape and natural environment to the specific places and activities in Schotten.

Discover more destinations: Betzenrod, Michelbach, Freiensteinau, Ulrichstein, Grebenhain, Herbstein.

Go to the regional travel overview: Vogelsberg.