The particularly soft spring water made Lautern an attractive factory location for the factory’s founder, August von Ploennies. Ultramarine was first produced at the Blue Factory in Lautern by firing a mixture of kaolin, sulfur, Glauber’s salt and coal. Thus, both the reason for choosing the site and a specific production method are part of the town’s industrial history.

Industrial history in Lautern

The Blue Factory (Ciba Geigy Marienberg) was one of the most important employers in what is now Lautertal between 1852 and 1996. Its production history is therefore also part of the municipality’s broader economic context.

Another historical subject is the transformer tower at the Blue Pigment Factory in Lautern. For historical reasons, it is a cultural monument under Section 2(1) of the Hessian Monument Protection Act. Its inclusion in the monument register of the State of Hesse is planned.

Hiking and scenery in the Lautertal (Odenwald)

The digital 12-Village Circular Hiking Trail is 41.32 kilometers long and passes through all the districts of the municipality of Lautertal. The circular route itself is not signposted in the landscape; instead, it follows existing, well-marked hiking trails. Digital assistance makes these trails easy to find. Check the digital route information before setting out, as details of the digital navigation may change.

There are several viewpoints and numerous shorter and longer hiking trails on the Krehberg, located between Seidenbuch and Schannenbach. Another route is the “Red Stripe” hiking trail: it passes through Elmshausen, by the Striethteich pond, and climbs to the ridge between Felsberg and Amalienhöhe.

There are also various starting points to consider when planning a visit to the Felsenmeer. The steepest section of the Felsenmeer circular trail L1 lies between the Kuralpe and the summit of Felsberg, where the Ohly Tower stands. Guided tours on the geological formation of the Felsenmeer are offered at the Felsenmeer Information Center; bookings are made through the center.

The Kaiserturm stands on Neunkirchener Höhe, the highest point in Lautertal. It commemorates Kaiser Wilhelm I and was built of stone in 1906/07; it had previously been preceded by a wooden tower. The tower is 34 meters high. From Seidenbacher Eck, the panoramic view extends across the Odenwald from northeast to southwest.

Numerous waterbirds have their own island at the Striethteich pond between Elmshausen and the “Selterswasserhäuschen.” A water-powered model of the Deichertsmühle stands on the shore. The pond festival is held there every year on Father’s Day—a chance to observe nature and a recurring event at the same location. If you would like to attend the pond festival, check the date in advance.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Lautern, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your stay: the town’s industrial history or hiking and nature in the destination of Lautertal (Odenwald). This lets you consider local history and regional hiking plans as distinct interests for your trip.

Discover more travel destinations: Gadernheim

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