“In a faraway realm, in a faraway state…” – the well-known beginning of many fairy tales. The most famous collectors of fairy tales and legends in Germany were the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Cinderella”, “Snow White”, “Rapunzel”…

The world of fairy tales, myths and legends

Tourist route The German Fairy Tale Road (Deutsche Märchenstraße) is 600 kilometers long and runs from Hanau to Bremen through five federal states. This 19th-century engraving depicts the Brothers Grimm visiting Dorothea Wiemann, whose retellings of folktales became one of the most important sources for her collection Children’s and Family Tales, first published in 1812.

Hanau

National Monument to the Brothers Grimm in Hanau, opened in 1896

The journey along the German Fairytale Road begins in the Hessian town of Hanau, birthplace of Jakob (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859). This monument is located in the city center on the Market Square. In 1989, a copy of the monument was installed in an amusement and recreation park near the Japanese town of Obihiro on the island of Hokkaido.

steinau

Brothers Grimm Museum in Steinau

The Brothers Grimm spent their childhood in Steinau an der Straße. His father, Philipp Wilhelm Grimm, was an amtman – the main official of the Steinau district. The family lived in this house. There is now a museum in it, and in the square in front of the town hall, where they used to play, the Fountain of Fairies was installed in 1985.

marburg

Wolf and five (out of seven) children in Marburg

In Marburg, the Brothers Grimm attended university, where they studied law. A fabulous hiking route has been created through the city – the Grimm Trail (Grimm-Dich-Pfad). In total, there are 15 stops along the way, including this installation based on the story of a wolf and seven children, as well as the house at Barfüsserstrasse 35, where the Brothers Grimm lived.

Kassel

The first copies of the editions with marks and commentary by the Brothers Grimm

The Brothers Grimm lived in Kassel for a quarter of a century. It was here that they recorded and processed most of their fairy tales and legends. His work in this city on the Fulda River is dedicated to the museum “The Universe of the Brothers Grimm” (Grimmwelt). Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm spent 30 years of their lives in Kassel. On four floors of the exhibition with a total area of ​​1600 square meters, among other things, there are numerous lifetime publications, drawings, letters and personal belongings of the storytelling brothers.

Hanstein Castle

Ruins of Hahnstein Castle

Downstream of the Fulda, where it merges with the Weser, is the Kaufunger Wald forest, where many of the Grimm’s fairy tales take place. Nearby are the ruins of the ancient castle of Hanstein, which, according to legend, served as a refuge for robber knights. By the way, in this castle in 2012 the filming of the German film “The Doctor: The Disciple of Avicenna” (Der Medicus) took place.

Ludwigstein Castle

Ludwigstein Castle over the Werra River valley during sunset

In the neighborhood there is another medieval attraction – Ludwigstein Castle, built in 1415. At the beginning of the last century, the founders of the youth group “Wandervogel” (“Migratory Birds”), which laid the foundations for the cultural, educational and tourist movement of same name, drew attention to it. They restored the castle. There is now a youth hostel in it.

Hessisch-Liechtenau

1960s illustration for the fairy tale “Frau Holle”

In Hessisch-Lichtenau you can visit the Frau Holle-Museum, the Frau Holle-Museum, located in the Old Town Hall. According to legend recorded by the Brothers Grimm, when she shakes her feather mattress, it snows all over the world.

Gottingen

Goose Shepherdess in Göttingen

The first written mention of Göttingen dates back to 953. The Brothers Grimm were professors at the local university, but in 1837 they lost their positions due to liberal views. One of the city’s symbols is the bronze statuette of the Shepherdess of the Goose, who is kissed by local graduate students after passing their exams. “Shepherd Goose” is even considered the most kissed girl in the world.

Sababurg

Sababurg Castle in an engraving by Matthäus Merian the Elder (1593-1650)

Sleeping Beauty Castle – Sababurg was founded in 1334. In the 19th century, it began to be regarded among people as the fabulous castle of the Brothers Grimm. Located in the Reinhardswald forest between Kassel and Göttingen.

Hameln

Participants in a street performance in Hameln

The town of Hameln in Lower Saxony is the setting of the world-famous tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. In the center, many Weser Renaissance-style buildings have been preserved. From mid-May to mid-September, the city hosts a fabulous festival with street performances on Sundays.

Alsfeld

Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf in a 1920s illustration

Little Red Riding Hood plays a special role in Alsfeld’s life. Here they say that the Brothers Grimm, working on a fairy tale, dressed their heroine in a traditional local costume – “Schwelmer Tracht”. Well-preserved half-timbered houses and the late Gothic town hall, as well as the Fairy Tales House-Museum, await guests in town.

Bremen

Monument to the musicians of the city of Bremen on the Market Square in Bremen

Bremen and the musicians of the city of Bremen have been an inseparable company. The fairy tale teaches us that together we are stronger. The Brothers Grimm recorded this story in the early 19th century. Today in Bremen you can find many monuments to the famous four – a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster. The most famous of them was installed in 1951 in the square in front of the town hall.