What actually is sandstone? An entire region has now dedicated itself to answering the supposedly simple question. A recently opened “Buntsandstein-Erlebnisweg” on the southwest Mainviereck between Miltenberg and Faulbach honors the material and its landscape-changing extraction in all its geological, economic and social complexity. In the case of the 250-million-year-old sedimentary rock, one condition led to the other. Only the crystalline, reddish structure created by iron oxide made it a coveted material with captivating aesthetics.
Thanks to their location at the interface of the massive sandstone shield between the Odenwald and the Spessart, the communities see themselves as called upon to process the topic in a way that is effective for the public. Without the sawing work of the Main through the over 500 meter thick support, the use already practiced by the Romans would not have been possible or only in certain areas. It was castle construction that started the systematic mining of the stone and found its representative climax in the use for the Frankfurt Cathedral or the Aschaffenburg Palace.
Mining took on industrial forms in the mid-19th century. The slopes, which were actually torn up along the entire Mainknie, must have offered a view like American canyons. Even today, the bright red, long-closed walls stand out against the green of the river bank. The idea of preserving the stone wonderland and making it accessible was obvious. Nevertheless, they struggled for acceptance and funding for eight years before what “experience path” describes inadequately was completed.
In a spectacular, even courageous way, a combination of theoretical and practical views was achieved here that is probably unique in this latitude. For the introduction to geology and history, a small, profaned church from the 18th century in Collenberg was specially converted and dismantled after it had been used by the fire brigade since 1969. St. James’ Church, consecrated 100 years ago, rises up opposite. Its architecture of white-banded work pieces up to the pulpit with the evangelists seems to be guided solely by the idea of giving the beauty of the sandstone a sacred dimension.
A profaned baroque church in Collenberg serves as the theoretical superstructure of the “colorful sandstone adventure trail” between Miltenberg and Faulbach.
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Image: Thomas Klein
In sharp contrast to this are the harsh working conditions in the quarries. The 40-kilometer adventure trail leads near Collenberg along an adventurous path in front of the vertical walls to striking caves. They are reminiscent of the risky but effective method of fall degradation. Cracks and cavities were used, which were underpinned in such a way that they could be blown up. The danger lay in further rock giving way when clearing. Verfall is still littering the ground, as if the transport would soon take place.
Directions:
Thanks to the single-track route around the Mainviereck, the main towns on the Buntsandstein-Erlebnisweg can be easily reached by train, or if you just walk the path, it will take you back. In Collenberg it is only minutes from the bus stop to the town centre; There is also parking space on the Main and in Bildstrasse. To get in the mood, walk left to the rededicated little church with the sandstone exhibition and the Jakobskirche opposite.
A visit to both can also wait, since they will be touched at the end anyway. The starting point is in front of the junction “An der Ziegelhütte” from the picture road, where there are several markings. We opt for C 1 and 2. They lead out through new buildings, but here too they touch on unusual sandstone works in the form of large tombs of the quarry owners in the cemetery.