Forming part of the Nahe Wine Region, Bad Kreuznach is a picturesque riverside town in Rhineland-Palatinate. It was the site of a Roman fortress and was known as “Cruciniacum” under Carolingian rule before becoming part of the Palatinate in the 16th century.
Things to do in Bad Kreuznach
On the outskirts of Bad Kreuznach is the Museum of Puppetry Culture, which occupies a manor granary that dates back to 1899. Its collection includes more than 2,500 figurines, puppetry sets and theatrical motifs that offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the craft. Learn about the travelling puppetry theatres of the 19th century and see some of the stars of today during one of the regular performances.
Spanning the Mühlenteich Canal is the Alte Nahebrücke, a stone-built arch bridge that dates back to the 13th century. It is notable for its four bridge houses and features a memorial honouring the Jews who were killed or deported from Bad Kreuznach under Hitler’s rule. Continue walking across the Nahe River to the Kurpark, which features seasonal floral displays.
At the Salinental, you’ll find Europe’s largest open-air inhalatorium, with salt water trickling down the side of its nine-metre-high hedge walls. You can relax in one of the two spa houses, play basketball and beach volleyball or watch a football match at the Stadion Salinental. At the northern end of the park is a canoe slalom course and the historic Karlshaller Bäderquelle pump house.
Getting around Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach is around 30 minutes’ drive from Mainz and one hour from Frankfurt. Frankfurt International Airport is 45 minutes away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Bad Kreuznach railway station and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Bad Kreuznach can easily be explored on foot.