In the footsteps of the architects Metzendorf

Like hardly any other region, the Bergstrasse offers a building fabric of the late 19th and early 20th century in still existing coherent streets. Discover park-like districts with curved streets, large gardens and beautifully designed villas. Follow in the footsteps of the architects Georg and Heinrich Metzendorf. The two brothers, who were born in Heppenheim, had a lasting influence on the architectural style of the region and influenced many regional architects with their style. They designed more than 370 country houses, villas, schools and sacred buildings along the Bergstrasse. This even earned Heinrich the name "Master Builder of the Bergstrasse".
 
While their designs were initially strongly influenced by historicism, the Metzendorf brothers later found their own formal language, which is assigned to the country house style of the turn of the century. Characteristic features of the Metzendorf architectural style are the use of sandstone, plain tiles and Odenwald wooden shingles from regional craftsmen's workshops, but also generous roofscapes such as interlocking gable roofs, hipped roofs with dormers and mansard roofs, as well as timber-clad gables, turrets, oriels, mullioned windows, large round-arched windows and picket fences. 

A tour of Heppenheim

Information signs at five locations in Heppenheim's city centre point out architectural works by the Metzendorf brothers. In the "Höhn's Villa Quarter" on the Maiberg and in the "Metzendorf Quarter" around Feuerbachplatz, you can take a short tour of the respective quarter with the brochure "In the Footsteps of the Metzendorf Architects".
 
You can find the brochure for the tour in the Tourist Information and for downloading (only in german) here.

Cycling route from Heppenheim to Zwingenberg

The leisure cycling route "In the footsteps of the Metzendorf architects" leads from Heppenheim via Bensheim to Zwingenberg. In Bensheim, some of the Metzendorf buildings are also marked with signs and tours are also possible here. The cycle route is not signposted, but it is easy to find with the route description and the map in the digital brochure "In the Heart of the Bergstrasse". With the QR code next to the route, the GPS data can also be downloaded via the interactive portal Outdooractive.
 
The cycle route is available for download (only in german) here.