The municipality of Kaufungen, consisting of three districts, is located just outside the gates of Kassel, on the western edge of the Mother Hulda Land geo-nature park. Below the monastery grounds situated on a hill, well-kept half-timbered houses are lined up closely together in the old village centre of Oberkaufungen. Picturesque nooks and crannies, unusual perspectives and historic alleys tempt you to go on discovery tours.

Kaufungen for friends of fairy tales

In 1011, Kaufungen was first mentioned in documents, as a Royal Court under the name of "Coufunga". Here Emperor Henry II and his wife Kunigunde founded a Benedictine Monastery in 1017. After the death of Henry II, Cunegond joined the nunnery of the convent and lived here until her death in 1033.

In addition to the mighty church building, the Zehntscheune (tithe barn), the manor house, the pensioner's house and the old lime tree still characterise the image of the impressive abbey courtyard. The architectural ensemble is a listed building complex and is continuously being maintained and preserved.

There are many legends about the German Empress Kunigunde, who was canonised after her death. The most famous legend is the Ploughshare Miracle, in which she is said to have walked unharmed on 12 red-hot plowshares, and the formal apology from her husband, Emperor Henry II. She is also found in the German Sagas (No. 482) of the Brothers Grimm as St. Cunegund.

Kaufungen for holiday tourists and day visitors

A stroll through the old centres of Niederkaufungen and Oberkaufungen is worthwhile at any time of the year. Picturesque half-timbered buildings characterise the grown village structures. In Niederkaufungen, the old village centre is distinguished by the small, late Gothic church. Outstanding buildings bear small information panels providing information about the historical use of the houses. The municipality of Kaufungen offers theme tours as well as public guided tours.

The monastery grounds with their atmospheric ambience are the venue for a high-class cultural programme with performances by internationally renowned artists.

The former Oberkaufunger School from 1842 is home to the municipal regional museum Alte Schule (Old School). Here you can find scenes of the "good old days" covering everyday life and work in Kaufungen on several floors in numerous rooms.

In the Rossgang Mining Museum you can experience over 400 years of mining history. The Göpelhaus with the shaft building was reconstructed by former miners and is now a museum and an impressive industrial monument from the 19th century.

From 1870 to 1981, bricks and interlocking roof tiles were produced in Kaufungen. After the production was closed down in 1991, the distinctive architecture, kilns and machinery of the former Kaufungen brickyard were declared an industrial monument. Today the Hessian Brickworks Museum is located there.  A guided tour explains the individual production steps for the manufacture of bricks.

For hikers, cyclists and mountain bikers, the well-developed, signposted path system in Kaufungen is the ideal starting point for excursions. Whether fairytale country trail, GrimmSteig, Kassel-Steig, Herkules-Wartburg cycle path, Lossetal cycle path, long-distance hiking trails, circular routes, premium hiking trails in the Meißner-Kaufunger Forest Nature Park - there is something here for every taste. Numerous route descriptions and route suggestions are available at the Kaufunger Tourist Information.