Gelnhausen – Turning a small village into an imperial city

Gelnhausen invites you to discover its medieval history. Just like in Kirchheimbolanden, Gelnhausen is full of architectural structures from the Middle Ages. And they are almost all within spitting distance  of each other.

Crucial Changes during the Rule of Frederick I

Why is that? History may have the answer. Documents mention a village called “Geilnhusen” in the year 1133. But the crucial change came with one emperor, Frederick I. Barbarossa. In 1170 he merged three villages to create an imperial city. And he built his “Kaiserpfalz” here, a palace on an island in the river Kinzig (What is a Pfalz?). Its high keep and ring wall are still standing today.  Just like the hall and parts of the chapel.

In 1180 an assembly took place in this Kaiserpfalz in Gelnhausen. At this so-called “Hoftag” the emperor Frederick I. Barbarossa redistributed two dukedoms. It was a first step to deprive his cousin Henry the Lion of his power.

New Privileges for the Citizens

While Henry lost power, others gained it. The citizens of Gelnhausen enjoyed the new privileges that came with being an imperial city. Rich merchants settled here. They profited from the right to hold markets. And they used the position of Gelnhausen to their advantage. Because it sat right on the important trade route between Frankfurt and Leipzig. Incidentally, you can also visit the narrowest point of this trade route here. It is in the Pfaffengasse. This constriction determined the maximum size of the load traders could transport.

Today various sights tell their own story of medieval Gelnhausen: Amongst them gorgeous St. Marys’ Church, the mint facility or the “Amtsstube” in the Roman House. It is one of the oldest offices in Germany.

Exhibition at the Imperial Castle

You can find out more about the castles of the Middle Ages in an exhibition at the Kaiserpfalz Gelnhausen. It presents "Architectural art from the Age of Hohenstaufen”.

Still curious?

Try the interactive museum Gelnhausen were you can immerse yourself in the Middle Ages.

http://www.gelnhausen.de/Museum-Gelnhausen.399.0.html

If you are looking for exciting events try the  club of the “Freundeskreis Gelnhausen 1230”. They regularly organise happenings with a medieval spin.  https://www.gelnhausen1230.de/