Alteburger Market: Trade with centuries of tradition
The name Heftrich is closely associated with the Alteburger Markt, which takes place three times a year at the Alteburg south of the village. Its roots go back a long way: archaeological finds from the Roman fort prove that trade was already taking place in the 2nd century AD. Although there is no clear evidence of a direct connection between the Roman trading centre and the market, which has been documented since the Middle Ages, its favourable location on two important old roads suggests that this was the case.
By the 12th century at the latest, Alteburg was a bustling place. In 1178, a chapel dedicated to Saint Kilian was built, attracting numerous pilgrims – and with them, trade. The three markets are still named after Christian holidays today: Whitsun Market, St James's Market and St Bartholomew's Market. Local historians believe that the Alteburg market already existed before Idstein was granted town rights in 1287.
Over the centuries, the market developed into a widely known cattle and general market. Around 1900, up to 800 head of cattle were still being traded, with traders travelling from the Westerwald, the Rhine and Rheinhessen. Since the beginning of the 20th century at the latest, dancing and socialising under the lime trees have been just as much a part of the market as trading.
The world wars interrupted the tradition, but in 1949 the market was revived. In the following decades, it underwent a fundamental change: cattle trading lost its importance, and market stalls and a folk festival atmosphere came to the fore. Investments in infrastructure and supplies led to a new upswing in the 1960s.
Today, the Alteburg Market is one of the largest regional events, with several hundred stalls and up to 25,000 visitors. Little remains of the former cattle market – but the special atmosphere lives on under the old lime trees: with music, dancing and socialising with "Weck, Worscht, Ebbelwoi and Bier" (bread rolls, sausages, apple wine and beer).
DATES
Thursday after Pentecost 28 May 2026 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Thursday after St James' Day 30 July 2026 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Thursday after Bartholomew's Day, 27 August 2026 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
