ruth901
The opening of the new Milseburghütte is celebrated with a festival weekend. And hundreds of hikers climb the striking Rhön peak to get to know the new gem.
Milseburg – Already on Friday The new Milseburghütte was officially opened with a ceremony. The old hut, which had hosted hikers for 135 years, closed six and a half years ago. Numerous hurdles had to be overcome before the new building was completed.
Hundreds of curious people visit the new Milseburghütte in the Rhön
The summit with its Gangolf chapel and crucifixion group, which is so popular with locals and visitors, had to do without its third landmark for six and a half years. The Milseburghütte was sorely missed. The joy about the new hut is even greater – and certainly the curiosity.
Accordingly, in wonderful spring and hiking weather, hundreds flocked to the 823 meter high mountain in the Rhön to get a personal impression of the new Milseburghütte. There were already dozens of cars in the parking lot – many with unfamiliar license plates. Parking attendants regulated traffic. And wherever you listen, there are words of praise and appreciation for the new structure at 823 meters below the rocky peak.
Walter Bernhardt, 74, from Poppenhausen-Tränkhof, was excited throughout the entire construction phase. Since the demolition, he has been on the mountain once a month and taken photos of the construction progress. “The Milseburg is my mountain. I experienced the demolition, the drilling and everything first hand. It was important to me that something was built on the Milseburg again. Many people were afraid that it might no longer have the same style as before. But it is beautiful in its own way, with the oven in the middle, I imagine it would be very cozy in the winter.”
The former mayor of Poppenhausen, Manfred Helfrich, also took a look at the opening: “The hut has become very valuable. People need a place to stop for a break, a destination that they can head for on the mountain. I'm glad that tenants were found to take care of it. This is not a given.”
Fantastic weather attracts the crowds to the Milseburg opening
The atmosphere at the grand opening ceremony on Saturday was good, the beer bottles were clinking, the weather was mild and dry and the sun was shining from a blue sky at midday. There are various stalls with souvenirs for sale – even on Sunday – including stones that were taken from the drilling, as well as the new Milseburghütten stamp.
The Milseburghütte project orchestra played brass music and Milseburg pastor Willi Schmitt held the celebratory service. And the Rübenkraut duo also provided musical entertainment. Hofbieber's mayor Markus Röder said at the ceremonial handover of the keys to the tenant couple Golbach: “The wait is over. A new chapter is beginning. It is an important day and great things have been achieved.” He looked back on six and a half years, which took demolition and new construction, also due to two lawsuits from nature conservation against the construction project.
He revealed that the 400-meter-long drilling through the rock to lay the lines also caused problems: “The drilling became a crime thriller. The drill head was stuck. It was close to the drilling being aborted.” During the application process for leasing the hut, you also had to choose between two applications after twelve applications had been screened out.
Bundestag member Michael Brand gave a little speech of love to the Milseburg: “The Milseburg is the soul of the Rhön, a really special place. Without gastronomy, something would have been missing up here. It's not the beer, but the stop and the hospitality. It's a special haven of peace in the Rhön. This place has something magical. It's one of the most beautiful places there is in Germany.”
Michael Brand: The Milseburg is the soul of the Rhön
Finally, the new and old tenants found moving words. Matthias Golbach from the new tenant family shouted: “We are amazed! It is a very special and moving day, the Milseburg has been part of our lives for as long as we can remember. We grew up in Elters and Eckweisbach, stood up here more often than on any other mountain in the Rhön. The Milseburg has shaped us and never let go, this connection has given us the courage to apply. We accept the challenges and the work because the hut and the Mountain is a matter of the heart!”
Emotional words came from the former hut landlady Patrizia Kümpel: “When I see your family, I see us, we also have three boys and a girl. I wish you all the best, you get to know such great people,” she said and was visibly moved, Heike Golbach also had to fight back tears.
“I believe in you, it is such a special place. We will support you with advice and support. You can do it,” said Patrizia Kümpel and handed over a wooden cross so that a contemporary witness from the old hut will now hang in the new hut.
