Schotten

The officially recognised climatic spa lies between 168 m and 773 m above sea level on the western slope of the Vogelsberg Mountains. Nearby are Hoherodskopf (764 m) and Taufstein (773 m), the two highest peaks in the High Vogelsberg Nature Park. Schotten is a tourist town thanks to reliably high snowfall in the winter and hiking opportunities in the summer in the extensive forests. Watersports are also possible on the Nidda Reservoir.

In the outermost northwestern municipal area is the source of the river Nidda, a favourite destination for hikers.

Schotten borders in the north on the town of Ulrichstein, in the northeast on the town of Herbstein, in the east on the community of Grebenhain, in the south on the town of Gedern and the community of Hirzenhain (both in the Wetteraukreis), and in the west on the town of Nidda (Wetteraukreis) and the town of Laubach (district).

Besides the main town, which bears the same name as the whole municipality, Schotten is divided into the following communities: Betzenrod, Breungeshain, Burkhards, Busenborn, Eichelsachsen, Einartshausen, Eschenrod, Götzen, Kaulstoß, Michelbach, Rainrod, Rudingshain, Sichenhausen and Wingershausen.

Under the municipal reforms in the early 1970s, 15 communities were amalgamated into a greater community of Schotten.

Schotten's civic coat of arms might heraldically be described thus: In azure a falcon argent armed gules wings outstretched standing upon a hill. Or, the golden hill stands for the Vogelsberg Mountains. The falcon comes from a legend about the town's founding.

Schotten has the following partner towns:

• Arco, Italy since 1960
• Belœil-Quevaucamps, Belgium since 1963
• Crosne, France since 1963
• Rýmařov, Czech Republic since 1996
• Maybole, Scotland, United Kingdom since 2000

other partner towns include:

• Bogen, Bavaria
• Ozimek, Poland since 1996

Federal Highways (Bundesstraßen) B 455 and B 276 run through the town. The nearest Autobahnen are the A 5 and the A 45.

The B 276 from Gedern by way of Schotten to Laubach is a notorious motorcycle road that attracts motorcyclists in droves on sunny weekends, not least of all for the motorcycle clubs along the road, such as the Falltorhaus ("Portcullis House"). There have been problems with street racing, which in 2005 left 12 people dead and another 129 injured. A particular problem on the highway is the "Applauskurve", a 180° bend in the road between Schotten and Laubach, known to motorcyclists all over Germany. There, onlookers – mostly other motorcyclists – gather to watch motorcycles take the curve at great speed, applauding – and even photographing or filming – the ones who go round the bend with the greatest lean.

The Gothic Liebfrauenkirche ("Church of Our Lady").

Schotten is also home to the Niddastausee, a man-made lake. Here, sailors, surfers and other watersport lovers find a place, as do recreation seekers. In winter, on the other hand, the Hoherodskopf is probably the favourite outing destination in the area.

In the Old Town, the Gothic Liebfrauenkirche can be seen with its famous Marienaltar. The winged altar was made about 1385 by an unknown painter.

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  Villa Vogelsbergstr.121
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  Vogelsberger Heimatmuseum
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  Oldtown Schotten
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  Oldtown Schotten
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  Oldtown Schotten
• 
  Oldtown Schotten,former townhall
• 
  Oldtown Schotten,former townhall
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  Oldtown Schotten
• 
  Oldtown Schotten

In motorsport, the town is known for the Schottenring races.

• Wilhelm Gontrum (1910–1969), German politician (CDU), Member of the Bundestag
• Rabbi Samuel Schotten HaKohen (1644 – 1719), German Jewish 17th century Rabbi, Maternal Grandfather of the Chasam Sofer