Kaltennordheim – Heiratsmarkt, Rhönpaulus and Goethe

Do you love traditions? I kind of do. And one of our traditions is the annual visit to the Heiratsmarkt in Kaltennordheim every Whitsun weekend.

Ever since I was a very small child (there are still pictures of me in a baby carriage), this visit has been a fixed date in my calendar every year. As my grandparents lived in a neighboring village, we usually went to Kaltennordheim on foot in the 80s. It was a lovely walk and the delicacies at the market tasted even better. In recent years, we’ve usually been there by car, but always parked a little outside and then walked anyway. Because on the Whitsun weekend, the small village in the Rhoen is literally bursting from all the people visiting.

How to get to Kaltennordheim

The town is located in the southwest of Thuringia near the border with Bavaria and Hesse in the Thuringian part of the Rhoen. The best way to reach Kaltennordheim is via the A71 Meiningen exit (north or south) and then simply follow the signs.

Although the town is somewhat difficult to reach by public transport such as bus and train*, the use of public transport is recommended, especially during the marriage market, as parking facilities are very limited during this time.

The tradition of the Heiratsmarkt in Kaltennordheim

The tradition of the Heiratsmarkt in Kaltennordheim goes back a long way. The market has been held every Whitsun since 1563. It all began as a cattle and farmers’ market, where farmers from the surrounding villages met every year. In the 19th century, the whole thing turned more and more into a folk festival. Nowadays, fairground rides and stalls catering for visitors’ physical well-being predominate. Nevertheless, the Heiratsmarkt has lost none of its charm and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Where does the name Heiratsmarkt come from?

Many of you are probably wondering why the market is called Heiratsmarkt? There are two reasons for this. Firstly, especially in earlier times, the market was an annual opportunity for farmers from the entire Rhoen region to come together. It was therefore a good opportunity to get to know each other and later get married. The market was therefore a kind of matchmaking event.

On the other hand, every year one or more weddings take place at the Heiratsmarkt. After the wedding ceremony, the wedding party usually walks through the market to the marquee, where the mayor usually greets the bride and groom and offers the town’s congratulations. So if you want to experience a special kind of wedding, you are in good hands in Kaltennordheim at Whitsun.

Showmen, market traders and marquee

In addition to more than 120 fairground rides, showmen and market traders, the Kaltennordheim Marriage Market naturally also offers a rich supporting program. This begins with the barrel tapping at the opening of the market, continues with various events in the marquee and on the town’s sports field and ends with the fireworks display on Monday evening. And of course there is also a church service to celebrate the Whitsun festival. In Kaltennordheim, Tuesday is also part of the market days and is duly celebrated with a morning pint.

And what else is there to discover in Kaltennordheim?

How about a short visit to the castle in Kaltennordheim. Goethe, among others, stayed here. And the Rhön Paul was also imprisoned here. The castle courtyard with its lime trees invites you to linger and provides wonderful shade on hot days. You can also enjoy delicious coffee and cake in the castle café.

Andreas Fack (1963-1931), who wrote the Rhön song “Ich weiß basaltene Bergeshöhn”, among others, also lived and taught in the town. He certainly visited the marriage market several times.

The half-timbered houses are also a feast for the eyes for architecture fans and tempt you to take a stroll. A cozy little town to relax in.

Of course, the town is also the starting point for various hikes in the Rhoen. So a visit to Kaltennordheim is worthwhile at any time of year.

And if you feel like visiting the Heiratsmarkt, you can find all the information you need on the official website.

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