Are the political parties represented in the association?

Yes, to secure broad support, each group in the town council sends a representative to the board as an assessor.

How do I find out news from the town?

We use the official gazette of the town of Groß-Umstadt for invitations and information. That way all of Groß-Umstadt stays informed.

Is the association part of the town?

We are an independent association, but closely connected. Should the association ever dissolve, its assets pass to the town, which must continue to use them for charitable purposes.

What does the town administration have to do with the association?

A lot! The town and the association work hand in hand. The mayor is even automatically our president – a strong signal for the partnerships.

When is the Umstadt Winegrowers’ Festival?

Traditionally on the weekend after 15 September, over four days from Friday evening to Monday on the historic market square.

Why is Groß-Umstadt so international?

Because we live openness to the world. Through the association we carry Groß-Umstadt’s name positively across Europe and bring European friends to us.

Luftaufnahme von Groß-Umstadt, einer europäischen Stadt mit roten Dächern, einer zentralen Kirche mit Uhrenturm und einem bewölkten Himmel, durch den in der Ferne die Sonne bricht.

Eine große Menschenmenge versammelt sich auf dem Johannisfest 2025 auf dem Marktplatz von Groß-Umstadt, umgeben von historischen Gebäuden, beleuchteten Ständen und Lichterketten über dem Kopf. Die Atmosphäre wirkt lebendig und festlich und erinnert an den Geist der São-João-Feiern.

Eine lebhafte Menschenmenge versammelt sich auf dem Marktplatz von Groß-Umstadt in der Nähe der Kirche und beobachtet die Darsteller in roten Hemden, die während des Johannisfestes 2025 um ein großes offenes Feuer herum trommeln.

Home of our three twinnings

Groß-Umstadt: wine, culture and the Odenwald wine island

The home of our three town twinnings, in the heart of the Odenwald.

Discover the sights

21,000 inhabitants

8 districts

741 first documented mention

1966 twinning since

Groß-Umstadt is a historic town in the district of Darmstadt-Dieburg, on the north-eastern edge of the Odenwald. It is best known as the “Odenwald wine island” – the Umstadt wine area lies apart from the rest of the Hessische Bergstraße wine region, to the north of the Odenwald.

Around 21,000 people live in the nine districts that have made up Groß-Umstadt since 1977 – and at its centre, since 1966, beats the heart of our twinnings with Saint-Péray, Santo Tirso and Dicomano.

Aerial view of the market square during the Midsummer festival, with the church, market stalls and a maypole decorated with colourful ribbons around which people gather. — Groß-Umstädter Marktplatz während des Johannisfestes

Signing of the twinning charter in September 1966 in Groß-Umstadt

From the first mention to the European cloverleaf

741

First documented mention as “Autmundisstat”.

1263

Town rights documented from this year at the latest.

1374

Umstadt condominium: Hanau and the Electoral Palatinate share rule over the town, which gives rise to two palaces.

1937

First Umstadt Winegrowers’ Festival.

1966

First twinning, with Saint-Péray – the start of the European cloverleaf.

The nickname “Odenwald wine island” describes exactly what makes this place special: the Umstadt wine area is geographically separate from the Bergstraße, north of the Odenwald – a true island of winegrowing.

On the north-eastern edge of the Odenwald

Groß-Umstadt lies in the district of Darmstadt-Dieburg, on the southern edge of the Rhine-Main region, within the Bergstraße-Odenwald Nature Park. Its highest point is the Heidelberg, at 365 metres.

Darmstadt-Dieburg district · Bergstraße-Odenwald Nature Park · Heidelberg 365 m · 9 districts since 1977

Wide view over the landscape on the spring walk in Groß-Umstadt

From the old town to the wine trail

Our tips for Groß-Umstadt and the surrounding area – open a card for all the details.

Historic town hall

In the centre

The Renaissance town hall on the market square was built between 1596 and 1605 and has an open arcade that is now used for exhibitions. Together with the neighbouring church it forms the historic heart of the town.

Protestant town church

In the centre

The church on the market square was built from 1465 to 1494; the core of the tower dates from the 13th century. Medieval murals survive inside. Archaeological finds show that a Roman villa rustica once stood beneath the church.

Wambolt Palace

In the centre

One of the historic noble residences of the old town and a stop on the 1.6-kilometre old town walk. In summer, the Wambolts beer garden opens in the adjoining park.

Wine trail & Herrnberg nature reserve

~18 min walk

The wine trail, around two kilometres long, leads through the Herrnberg vineyards, a designated nature reserve. Information boards explain the grape varieties and winegrowing of the Odenwald wine island, part of the Hessische Bergstraße wine region; the viewpoint looks out over the town.

Otzberg Fortress

~5.6 km away

A castle on an extinct volcanic cone with a museum, beer garden and wide views over the Odenwald.

vinum autmundis – Odenwälder Winzergenossenschaft

~6 min walk

The cooperative winery of the Odenwald wine island, offering wine sales, tastings and vineyard walks.

Tourist office in the town hall

In the centre

The town’s tourist and marketing office in the town hall: restaurant and hotel guide, guided tours, wine tastings and information on the walking trails of the Odenwald wine island. Phone +49 6078 781-261, tourismus@gross-umstadt.de.

Groß-Umstadt's wine queens with glasses in hand at the twinning festival in Wendelinus Park

The Odenwald wine island

Winegrowing here is documented as far back as 775. Today, around 95 hectares of vineyards grow mainly Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris, Silvaner and Kerner for white wines, and Pinot Noir, Dornfelder, Regent and Portugieser for reds.

95 ha of vineyards

As early as 985, churches, mills and vineyards here are recorded as property of Fulda Abbey – and a Roman stone carved with grapes suggests even older beginnings.

Festivals & getting there

mid-Sep Umstadt Winegrowers’ Festival

August twinning festival in Wendelinus Park

Rhine-Main well connected

Odenwald railway three stations in the town

Explore Groß-Umstadt

Sights, food & drink, shopping, accommodation and everything practical – use the filters to find day trips in the surrounding area too.

Why Groß-Umstadt is so international

The serving mayor of Groß-Umstadt is automatically president of our twinning committee, and the town administration supports the association’s volunteer work with a dedicated post. This international outlook is especially visible in the large Portuguese community, which has been an established part of town life since the 1970s.

Next date: Umstadt Winegrowers’ Festival, the weekend after 15 September

Guests with wine glasses at the twinning festival in Wendelinus Park, Groß-Umstadt

Events in Groß-Umstadt

News from Groß-Umstadt

Frequently asked questions

Eine Menschenmenge genießt ein nächtliches Konzert unter freiem Himmel auf dem Johannisfest in Groß-Umstadt und jubelt vor der hell erleuchteten Bühne, auf der eine Band unter lila und weißen Lichtern auftritt, während die Menschen begeistert die Hände heben.

Discover Groß-Umstadt

Wine lovers, history buffs or guests from one of our twin towns: Groß-Umstadt is worth a visit in every season, especially for the Winegrowers’ Festival in September. Become a member of the Groß-Umstadt Twinning Committee today.

Become a member