On clear days, the panoramic view from the Altenberg in Odenhausen reaches as far as the Vogelsberg and the Gladenbach Uplands, as well as the university towns of Giessen and Marburg. Churches, industrial monuments and landscapes offer different highlights in Lollar. You can plan your stay according to whether you are mainly interested in discovering architectural history, seeing traces of industry or enjoying views of the surrounding area.
The river and districts as points of reference
The Lumda flows through Lollar and joins the Lahn nearby. The city's districts and localities also offer their own places to explore: churches can be found in Odenhausen, Salzböden and Ruttershausen; the hamlet of Friedelhausen belongs to the Odenhausen district of the city of Lollar. When putting together a list of local sights, you can therefore consider the town center and the other districts as different parts of the destination, without combining them into a single tour.
Churches from different periods
The Evangelical Church of Odenhausen dates back approximately to the 11th century. It is the oldest building in the village and one of the oldest churches in Giessen district. Several building periods can be distinguished: the eastern polygonal choir dates from the 15th century, and the Baroque roof turret from the 18th century. The church thus combines Romanesque origins with later additions.
The church in Salzböden was built in the 13th century as a defensive tower and served both religious and defensive purposes. A different architectural form is found in the Late Gothic hall church on Kirchberg in Ruttershausen, east of the Lahn. It is considered significant in art-historical terms and the village's main attraction. Together, the three churches offer different ways to explore architectural history: a Romanesque building, a tower with a dual purpose and a Late Gothic hall church. If you want to focus specifically on churches, these features offer more guidance than a simple list of stops.
Industrial monument and local details
The town center is home to the blast furnace tower built by Buderus. This surviving industrial monument is a remnant of a blast furnace known locally as the “water tower.” Another testament to cast-iron art is the iron-founder monument: sculptor Walter Schubert made it, and the Buderus company cast it. These two examples reveal the industrial past in different ways—one through a surviving structure, the other through a work of art.
A smaller local highlight is the Schmaadlecker fountain. It can be visited in front of the Art Nouveau building that once housed the pharmacy in Lollar. Friedelhausen Castle and its estate are located in the hamlet of Friedelhausen, which belongs to the Odenhausen district. The ensemble stands on the Lahn between Marburg and Giessen, near Fronhausen-Sichertshausen and Lollar-Odenhausen. The castle's interior is not open to visitors; its location and historical context can nevertheless be considered a distinct part of local history.
Views and outdoor activities
The Altenberg in Odenhausen is a viewpoint with panoramic views stretching, on clear days, to the Vogelsberg, the Gladenbach Uplands, Giessen and Marburg. For a different kind of outdoor visit, the Schmelz Mill in the Salzböden district offers a destination with a beer garden in a natural setting. In Ruttershausen, the barbecue hut and grilling area are at the edge of the forest and can accommodate up to 30 people. These options offer different highlights: a viewpoint, an excursion destination or a place for a group.
For activities on the water, Loganatours offers guided boat trips departing from Lollar. Rental options include kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and pedal boats. If you want to make a tour or boat rental a fixed part of your plans, check availability with the provider in advance. This makes it a practical alternative to sightseeing on land, without requiring you to fit it into a set itinerary.
Additional cultural attractions in the wider Giessen destination
The wider Giessen destination offers other distinct cultural and landscape-related attractions; these are not sights in Lollar. The Botanical Garden of Justus Liebig University Giessen is Germany's oldest university botanical garden, and parts of the original garden are still part of the grounds today. The 7.2 km art trail runs from Ludwigsplatz via the Philosophikum I and II campus areas, past the edge of the Law and Science campus area, to the Luthereiche oak and the Old Cemetery, and back to its starting point at the Dachcafé high-rise.
Giessen is also home to the Learning and Memorial Site at the Giessen Emergency Reception Center. Opened in June 2025, the exhibition about flight, arrival and new beginnings connects personal stories with broader historical contexts. Alongside the local churches and industrial monuments, the wider Giessen destination therefore offers other subjects to explore as a separate focus.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Linden, Laubach, Heuchelheim, Buseck, Langgöns, Rabenau, Lich, Pohlheim
Back to the wider travel guide: Giessen.
