Ottweiler is the centre of the rural district of Neunkirchen, but its origins are humble. The town was founded at the end of the 9th century close to a monastery, and received town rights as late as 1550. However, 1728 the counts of Nassau-Ottweiler chose the town as their residence and also established a porcelain manufactory which contributed to the economic development of Ottweiler.

Along with an interesting “School Museum” and a “Town Museum” it is the Old Town Quarter, the “Altstadt” which attracts visitors with its time-honoured buildings. Some parts of the medieval town walls are preserved, but the main attraction is the “Town Hall Square” (Rathausplatz) an the Old Town Hall built in 1717. Many of the preserved buildings stem from the time of the renaissance or else are built in the baroque style. Another impressing building is the Hesse-Haus, built in 1590.

The so-called “Stengel-Pavillon” is a small “Hunting Palace” and was built in 1758.

People who love old trains will enjoy a trip with the historic “Ostertalbahn”: http://ostertalbahn.homepage.t-online.de/

If you like trekking, you can find premium trekking routes as the Mühlenpfad, Steinbachpfad, Brunnenpfad and Schauinslandweg around Ottweiler. There are lots of well-marked bicycle trails as well: http://www.ottweiler.de/tourismus/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=73

Further information (only in German): http://www.ottweiler.de/tourismus/index.php

Photo: Alexandru Nika/Shutterstock