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Natural Monuments

Eselsbrunnen Spring

Natural Monuments

Eselsbrunnen Spring

Highlight • Natural Monument

Eselsbrunnen Spring

Recommended by 69 hikers out of 74

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Location: Gössenheim, Main-Spessart, Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

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Best Hikes to Eselsbrunnen Spring

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1. Maria im Weinberg Chapel – Summit cross at the Homburg ruins loop from Eußenheim

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Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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4.9

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2. Homburg Castle Ruins – Summit Cross at Ruine Homburg loop from Gössenheim

4.91km

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Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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3. Homburg Castle Ruins – Ruine Homburg loop from Gössenheim

11.2km

03:10

200m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

Tips

Nico

January 13, 2023

Beautifully worked Bundsanstein right on the side of the road next to the source

Translated by Google •

MS 🚴‍♂️

July 27, 2024

Donkey fountain
The origin of the donkey fountain east of the Eselwasen cannot currently be proven historically. It is assumed that its source dates back to around 1600, but it is not known why it was built. Before that, drinking water was taken from the Kuhbach and transported by horse to the Hohenburg (later Homburg) in the cistern wells (limestone rock too hard for deep wells) of the castle. On April 26, 1525, the bailiff Trockau wrote to the Würzburg marshal that water was running out at the castle and that the horse riders were afraid of rebellious farmers when drawing water from the Kuhbach. No records have been found to date about the route the horses were used to transport the water and the reason for the switch to donkeys around 1600.

The fountain's name came about because of the new method of transporting water, because donkeys had to carry containers filled with this water up to the Homburg's official residence. After a fire in the Homburg manor house (main building) on January 23, 1680, the proud castle gradually fell into disrepair. In 1732, the last official cellarer of the castle, bailiff Mohr, moved the headquarters of the official cellar to the Sachsenheim district court, which had been newly built in 1731. The use of the well for the castle's drinking water ended after around 130 years and still refreshes weary hikers today.

From here, the original donkey path led behind the mountain mill, below the former castle vineyards to the western ridge and along the last vineyards over the Hohe Setz up to the southern gate of the Homburg. Due to the deterioration of the path, it was eventually abandoned. A new donkey path was created (to the right up through the Herrenhölzl/"Herrnhölzle", to the left up over the Brunnleite, the eastern edge of the then completely bare slope "Kahl" or "Schüüd" of the Setzberg, to the eastern gate of the Homburg)

Source: Information board at the site

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Frank Rmr

February 7, 2023

Providing the crews of a castle without a deep well with sufficient water was always a major challenge. In times of siege, this was often decisive as to how long defense was possible. The fountain is also a reminder of this.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 230 m

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Thursday 6 November

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Max wind speed: 4.0 km/h

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Location: Gössenheim, Main-Spessart, Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

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Kneipp Facility at Kuhbach

Trail From Ruine Homburg to Höllrich

Ruine Homburg Trail

View of the Saale Valley

Eselsbrunnen Spring

1. Maria im Weinberg Chapel – Summit cross at the Homburg ruins loop from Eußenheim

2. Homburg Castle Ruins – Summit Cross at Ruine Homburg loop from Gössenheim

3. Homburg Castle Ruins – Ruine Homburg loop from Gössenheim

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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