The Drolshagen region is part of the Sauerland-Rothaargebirge Nature Park, a quiet, densely forested low-mountain landscape. The town of Drolshagen comprises 57 small villages, some of which are picturesquely nestled in the natural surroundings. Among them, Essinghausen was awarded the title of “State Gold Village” and, in 1998, “Federal Silver Village.” Numerous trails lead along babbling streams through lovely meadows up to the hills. The sweeping view over valleys and mountains—on clear days all the way to the Siebengebirge—the fresh air, birdsong in summer, or the stillness of the winter landscape captivate the senses and make the Drolshagen region unforgettable. In 2022, Drolshagen was designated a resort town.
The Drolshagen region has much to offer hikers. About 140 km of well-signposted hiking trails, marked by the SGV, open up a diverse landscape.
Cyclists can also discover plenty here. Four circular bike routes through the Drolshagen region and the “Agger-Bigge Loop” are available as free maps at the Drolshagen Citizens’ Office.
The History of Drolshagen
On March 2, 1477, the free town of Drolshagen was elevated to city status by Ruprecht von der Pfalz, Archbishop of Cologne, and was granted city walls and market rights. In May 1838, Drolshagen burned to the ground, with only a few buildings spared. The winding little town was subsequently rebuilt with straight streets and right-angled intersections. Today’s town center bears witness to this era.
The Market Square
The Market Square was created after the fire of 1838. It took on its current design in 1991. The fountain in the center commemorates key moments in the town’s history, accompanied by four sayings from the mystic Angelus Silesius (1624–1677). After the town fire, only the wealthy citizens were able to settle on the market square and along the main street. The farther the building lots were from the streets radiating out from here, the more modest the new buildings were during reconstruction. The house on the corner of Annostraße and Kirchplatz, which houses a restaurant, is one of the first stone buildings in Drolshagen. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century. Until then, the town consisted exclusively of half-timbered buildings with wattle-and-daub walls.