European Cultural Trail Großostheim: "Fruits of the Loess"

At the starting point at the market square, it is worth visiting the St. Peter and Paul Church as well as the Nöthigs estate with the Bachgau Museum (open Sundays from 2-5 pm and by appointment). Then the path goes past the Old Cemetery out to the hollow path “Sprengehohl.” Here, the Großostheim loess soil can be admired in a layering about 5 m thick. After approximately 1.5 km, we reach the vineyard site “Reischklingeberg,” where from the Peace Bench there is a view over the Main valley into the Spessart. In the Middle Ages, the Großostheim vineyards reached up to the town fortification; afterwards, aging vines, increasing beer consumption, and expansion of cereal cultivation led to a steady decline of cultivation and the end in the 19th century. Only in 1911 did brave vintners start a new attempt, which was successful. Today, the vineyard area amounts to about 35 ha with 80% white wine and 20% red wine. The special feature of the local wine is the mixture of weathered Buntsandstein and fertile loess soil. The path now steadily ascends, passing vineyards to the Wendelinus Chapel (presumably built in 1607). Saint Wendelin was regarded by the Catholic population as the patron saint of cattle and domestic animals. With strong participation, the Großostheim parish pilgrimage takes place annually on Wendelinus Day, where horses and riders also receive a blessing.
On the way back into the town center, you arrive at the Mary Grotto (erected in 1947), which commemorates the happy return of war participants. This is also where the Wolff Gorge begins, which was formed when people cleared the forest and erosion washed away the soils. We leave the vineyard “Harstell” on the left and shortly before the town entrance, where the Odenwald foothills transition into the Main plain, we reach the Alt-Heiligkreuz Chapel, the oldest chapel in Großostheim. After a few hundred meters, we have reached the market square again.

A 3 coming from Frankfurt to the Stockstadt exit, continue on the B 469 towards Miltenberg to Großostheim-Mitte. Then about 3 km to the town center (market square).