Landauer Hütte

The Landauer Hütte am Zimmerbrunnen is a managed hiking shelter (Schutzhütte) in the Palatinate Forest (Pfälzerwald) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is owned and operated by the Landau section (Sektion Landau) of the Pfälzerwald-Verein, a regional hiking and heritage association. The hut sits at an elevation of 460 metres on a saddle known as the Zimmerplatz, between the Roßberg (637 m) to the north and the Orensberg (581 m) to the south, with the Hainbach valley to the east and the Dernbach valley to the west. It is accessible only on foot, positioned at the crossing of three hiking trails so that it can be reached from six directions. The shortest ascent from Dernbach takes about 45 minutes, or about 30 minutes from the Wandergasthof Dernbacher Haus. From the north, the hut can be reached in about an hour from the Drei Buchen pass or from the Modenbach valley via the Dreimärker. From the south, ascents come from Frankweiler through the Hainbach valley or from Albersweiler via the Schwelterbach valley. The premium hiking trail Pfälzer Weinsteig passes directly by the hut. Nearby attractions include the ruins of Neuscharfeneck Castle and the Orensfelsen rock on the Orensberg. Other huts of the Pfälzerwald-Verein in the vicinity are the Waldhaus Drei Buchen, the Trifelsblick-Hütte, the St.-Anna-Hütte and the Ringelsberghütte. Since 2021, the Landauer Hütte, together with the other houses of the Pfälzerwald-Verein, has been part of the intangible cultural heritage of Germany under the entry 'Pfälzerwaldhütten-Kultur' (Palatinate Forest Hut Culture) recognised by the German UNESCO Commission. The hut is a modest but well-known hospitality and recreation brand within the German hiking community, offering food and drink to walkers in a remote forest setting. It gained wider public attention in 2012 when it served as one of several filming locations for the Tatort episode 'Der Wald steht schwarz und schweiget', featuring Ulrike Folkerts and Andreas Hoppe as detectives Lena Odenthal and Mario Kopper. The Landauer Hütte remains an active, volunteer-run establishment deeply tied to the cultural landscape of the Palatinate Forest.

The site of the Landauer Hütte has historical significance dating back to the 13th century, when the area known as the Zimmerplatz (or Zimmermannsplatz) was used by carpenters for the construction of Neuscharfeneck Castle, located about one kilometre away. The name 'Zimmer(manns)platz' derives from this use. Later, the site was occupied by the castle garden, where vegetables and spices were grown. The first Landauer Hütte was built in 1908 by the Landau local group of the Pfälzerwald-Verein on the Zimmermannsplatz. Initially an open shelter, it was converted into a lockable hut in 1921. On 19 March 1922, regular service began, initially only on Sundays. Due to high visitor numbers, expansion of the hut began in summer 1923 and was completed in August 1924. During World War I, the hut suffered damage and could only be slowly rebuilt. On 2 November 1930, after the withdrawal of French troops, a 'Befreiungslinde' (Liberation Linden) was planted in front of the hut. During World War II, the Landauer Hütte was used continuously by the Pfälzerwald-Verein until the end of the war, except for a brief occupation by a Wehrmacht anti-aircraft unit. After the war, club activities were banned by the French occupation authorities, and the hut was left to decay. Renovation began in September 1948, after the association was re-founded and received permission. Following reconstruction, service resumed on 7 April 1949. In the 1960s, the hut was further expanded and an open shed was erected. From March to December 1987, the hut underwent a complete renovation and was again extended with an annex. In 2012, the hut was one of several filming locations for the Tatort episode 'Der Wald steht schwarz und schweiget'. Since 2021, the Landauer Hütte, along with other houses of the Pfälzerwald-Verein, has been part of the intangible cultural heritage of Germany under the entry 'Pfälzerwaldhütten-Kultur' by the German UNESCO Commission.

• 2021

  The Landauer Hütte, along with other houses of the Pfälzerwald-Verein, becomes part of the intangible cultural heritage of Germany under the entry 'Pfälzerwaldhütten-Kultur'.

• 2012

  The hut is one of several filming locations for the Tatort episode 'Der Wald steht schwarz und schweiget'.

• 1987

  From March to December, the hut undergoes a complete renovation and is extended with an annex.

• 1960

  The hut is further expanded and an open shed is erected.

• 1949

  On 7 April, service resumes after reconstruction.

• 1948

  Renovation begins in September after the association is re-founded and receives permission.

• 1930

  On 2 November, a 'Befreiungslinde' (Liberation Linden) is planted in front of the hut after the withdrawal of French troops.

• 1924

  Expansion completed in August.

• 1923

  Expansion of the hut begins in summer due to high visitor numbers.

• 1922

  On 19 March, regular service begins, initially only on Sundays.

• 1921

  The initially open hut is converted into a lockable hut.

• 1908

  First Landauer Hütte built by the Landau group of the Pfälzerwald-Verein on the Zimmermannsplatz.

A traditional, volunteer-run hiking hut offering simple hospitality in the Palatinate Forest, part of the region's intangible cultural heritage.

• Food and drink service for hikers

• Rest area and shelter

• Overnight accommodation (limited)

1. 1Landauer Hütte - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Landauer Hütte - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Pfälzerwald-Verein Landau - Landauer Hüttepwv-landau.de