“Lost? Not quite.” I muttered, checking my map. The Biegwald appears almost unexpectedly. Here stands a testament to nature’s resilience and Frankfurt’s respect for green spaces.
Welcome to the Biegwald. It is a protected woodland area right here in Frankfurt. It offers a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle.
The Biegwald’s story goes back centuries. It is linked to a village called Biegen. Biegen disappeared around 1295. The Lords of Biegen were mentioned as early as 1151. They held shares in Burg Frauenstein from 1221. The family likely died out in the late 14th century.
This forest is a remnant of an ancient floodplain forest. It features hornbeams, oaks, and elms. These trees are typical of the vegetation that once covered the Main and Nidda valleys. These valleys were often flooded.
The Biegwald’s location is historically significant. It sits on the border between Bockenheim and Rödelheim. Bockenheim belonged to the County of Hanau. Rödelheim belonged to the County of Solms-Rödelheim. Two boundary stones from the late 18th century still stand. They mark this historical division on the Biegwald’s northern edge.
The Biegweg runs through the Biegwald. This path is part of the Antsanvia. Antsanvia was an old trade route from Mainz to Eisenach. Frankfurt acquired the Biegwald in 1897.
Before World War II, a forest house stood here. Its tavern was a popular destination. People from Bockenheim and Rödelheim loved to visit. During a night air raid in 1942, allied bombs struck the forest house. It housed forced laborers from the Bockenheim VDO AG. Many people died and the building was destroyed.
Today, the Biegwald is bordered by the S-Bahn line and Ludwig-Landmann-Strasse. A railway and pedestrian bridge connects it to Rödelheim. A pedestrian bridge leads to the Solmspark. It crosses the Mühlgraben. The Mühlgraben is a branch of the Nidda River.
The Biegwald offers playgrounds for children. There is also a sports field on Biegweg. Haus Biegwald is a forest restaurant on the southwestern edge. It offers Croatian and German cuisine. The TSG Vorwärts Frankfurt sports club also has a sports field here. The Hessenkolleg Frankfurt is located near the Biegwald. It is an adult education center.
The Biegwald was once much larger. It covered 79 hectares until the 19th century. Land clearing reduced its size. It became a landscape protection area. It serves as a natural monument connecting Rödelheim and Bockenheim.
Take a moment to appreciate this green lung. The Biegwald reminds us of Frankfurt’s past and its commitment to preserving nature. It is a place for recreation and reflection.