The best walks and hikes around Renchen

great view far into the Rhine valley and the Vosges mountains

The Simplicissimus-Haus in Renchen is Germany's first literary museum consistently dedicated to the history of reception. It is dedicated to the memory of Johann Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen, the most significant German Baroque poet, who worked in Renchen as a mayor and died there in 1676. What makes the museum special: Focus on modernity: Unlike classic local history museums, it shows hardly any historical everyday objects. Instead, it focuses on how Grimmelshausen's main work, the rogue novel Der Abentheuerliche Simplicissimus Teutsch, has influenced 20th and 21st-century art and literature. Art collection: In a converted historic farmer's house, illustrations, graphics, watercolors, and lithographs by significant modern artists who have engaged with "Simplicius" are exhibited. Historical context: The museum was opened in 1998 – fittingly for the 350th anniversary of the Peace of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years' War, which Grimmelshausen depicts so drastically in his novel. Important information for visitors: Location: Hauptstraße 59, 77871 Renchen. Contact: You can find more details about current special exhibitions and opening hours directly on the Simplicissimus-Haus website.

Grimmelshausen Statue Artist: This figure was created by the renowned Italian sculptor Giacomo Manzù. The "Artist of the Pope": Despite his communist convictions, Manzù was close friends with Pope John XXIII. One of his most famous works is the "Porta della Morte" (Gate of Death) at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The fact that he created the statue "Der Jäger von Soest" (The Hunter of Soest) for the town of Renchen in 1977 is considered a cultural sensation, as he normally carried out commissions for metropolises and world churches. The fountain was donated by Senator Dr. Franz Burda, an honorary citizen of Renchen. Meaning: It depicts the author or his famous novel character in a modern, artistic style and forms the entrance to the Literature Museum. The Hunter of Soest is one of the most famous identities of the protagonist Simplicius in the novel Der abenteuerliche Simplicissimus Teutsch by Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen. In this section of the novel, the once naive boy develops into a feared and cunning soldier: Role in the novel: During the Thirty Years' War, Simplicius is stationed in the town of Soest (Westphalia). He wears a distinctive green coat and becomes known and infamous as the "Hunter of Soest" due to his bravery, cunning tricks, and marksmanship. Symbolism: This phase marks the transition from the ignorant "Simplex" to the worldly-wise, but also morally endangered, soldier who seeks fame and loot. Cultural Significance: The figure is so deeply rooted in regional culture that it is now considered a symbolic figure of the town of Soest. Every year, a person is chosen as "Jägerken von Soest" to represent the town at events. The Monument in Renchen: The bronze statue by Giacomo Manzù in front of the Simplicissimus-Haus in Renchen depicts precisely this "Hunter of Soest". It shows him in a rather thoughtful pose, placing the artistic focus on the character's inner turmoil.

Grimmelshausen in Renchen In July 1667, the 45-year-old Grimmelshausen was appointed mayor of Renchen by the Bishop of Strasbourg. The town, belonging to the Oberkirch district, had only 17 families left in 1648, at the end of the Thirty Years' War. When Grimmelshausen took office, the population had already grown to around 700 inhabitants. The father of ten managed, alongside his activity as mayor, to complete his extensive collected works, including the ten volumes of Simplicissimus. When Louis XIV invaded, the 55-year-old mayor rushed to arms. Whether Grimmelshausen suffered a war injury or fell victim to an illness remains uncertain. In the year 1676, on August 17, the honorable, great in spirit and education, Johann Christoph von Grimmelshausen, mayor of this place, died in the Lord, and although he performed military service due to the turmoil and his children were scattered all over the world, they nevertheless all came together on this occasion...

Beautiful statue with benches above the Rench. Inscription on the base of the statue: „Wanderer Du des Weges gehst kurz besinnlich vor mir stehst.“

The Kusseichhütte is a small forest shelter near Oberkirch. It serves as a rest stop for hikers and families and is located on hiking trails through the vineyards and forests around Renchen-Ulm. 🌲🛖

Beautiful playground located on the edge of the forest

Simplicissimus-Haus The Simplicissimus-Haus is a museum dedicated to the reception history of Johann Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen. The fundamental aim is the dialogue between modernity and history. Therefore, the Simplicissimus-Haus primarily features the engagement of modern art with the theme of Johann Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen. The exhibits range from Max Klinger and Ernst Barlach to contemporary artists such as Claus Arnold, who lives in Hornburg, or Udo Claaßen, who is based in Itzehoe near Hamburg. The town of Renchen already possesses an extensive collection of such testimonials to reception history. This collection is to be further expanded. The Simplicissimus-Haus is located directly next to the Renchen town hall and opposite the historic inn "Zum Bären". In the center of the square stands the bronze statue "Der Jäger von Soest" (The Hunter from Soest), created by Giacomo Manzù in 1977, which vividly illustrates an episode from Grimmelshausen's main work, "Der abenteuerliche Simplicissimus" (The Adventurous Simplicissimus). The Simplicissimus-Haus is open to the public for visits; audio tours are available on request. The Simplicissimus-Haus is supported by the association "Grimmelshausenfreunde" e.V., based in Renchen. The town and the Grimmelshausen-Archiv foundation contribute to the maintenance of the house. Visit the homepage of the Grimmelshausenfreunde at www.simplicissimushaus.de Virtual tour: https://www.360pano.de/renchen/index.php?scene=scene_simplicissimus-haus-unten https://www.360pano.de/renchen/index.php?scene=scene_simplicissimus-haus-oben