Biosphere Information Center "Haus der Langen Rhön"

Biosphere Information Center "Haus der Langen Rhön" (Flavio Burul)

Rhön Biosphere Center „Haus der Langen Rhön“

The Biosphere Center “Haus der Langen Rhön” is located in the town of Oberelsbach and gives visitors an insight into the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön.

Interactive exhibition

Visitors can discover the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön in an interactive exhibition. The "hands-on stations" explain the development of the landscape and projects for sustainable development.

Children's rally with Rhön sheep Elsbeth

Children can go on a very special journey of discovery. During a rally, they can try out and find out many things. Elsbeth, the Rhön sheep, asks questions and encourages them to take a closer look.

Regional products and information point

In the sales area visitors can buy regional products, hiking maps and literature about the Rhön. For information about vacation, leisure tips and hiking trails, the staff of the biosphere center is available.

Certified in the period

September 2023 - August 2026

Accessibility certified People with walking disabilities Wheelchair users

Barrier-free information

Short Report as PDF

All areas relevant for testing meet the quality criteria of the label "Accessibility tested - barrier-free for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users".

Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report.

  • There is a general car park. There are two marked parking spaces for people with disabilities (parking space size: 350 cm x 500 cm, distance to the entrance: 20 m).
  • The car park and the outdoor paths are easy to walk and drive on due to their surface quality.
  • The entrance can be reached without steps or thresholds.
  • The entrance door and the inner door to the info counter/exhibition on the ground floor are opened without any effort on your part (lever handle, light barrier, motion detector, etc.).
  • The info counter is 75 cm high at the lowest point.
  • All evaluated areas usable by the guest are at ground level or can be reached via the elevator.
  • Alle erhobenen und für den Gast nutzbaren Bereiche sind ebenerdig oder über den Aufzug erreichbar.  
  • The exhibits and information on the exhibitions are predominantly visible, perceptible or legible while sitting. Films are provided to convey information.
  • The seating in the cinema room and the distance to the front row can be varied. It is also possible to remove chairs so that there is space for a wheelchair.
  • All evaluated doors and passages are at least 90 cm wide. 
  • Guided tours are offered for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users. Mobile or fixed seating is available. The entire route of the guided tour is steplessly accessible for wheelchair users.

Public toilet for people with disabilities

  • The manoeuvring spaces are:
    in front of the toilet and washbasin 160 cm x 145 cm;
    left and right of the toilet 90 cm x 70 cm.
  • On both sides of the toilet there are handles which can be folded up.
  • The washbasin has limited wheelchair access.
  • The mirror can be seen while standing or sitting.
  • There is a cord as alarm trigger.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report.

  • There is no visual alarm in the building.
  • There is no audio induction loop.
  • In the elevator, an outgoing emergency call is confirmed acoustically, but not optically.
  • Information on the exhibits is provided in written form and in photorealistic representation. Films are provided to convey information.
  • There are no guided tours offered for people with hearing disabilities and deaf people.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report.

  • Assistance dogs are allowed.
  • The entrance area is not visually contrasted with the surrounding area or recognizable by a tactile change of floor covering.
  • The entrance can be reached without steps or thresholds. The glass entrance door is marked with safety markings. The door opens automatically.
  • The inner door to the info counter/exhibition on the ground floor is opened without any effort on your part (lever handle, light barrier, motion detector, etc.). There are no afety markings.
  • In the elevator, the stopping position is not announced by speech (serves only two floors). Operating elements and signage are visually rich in contrast, but cannot be detected tactilely. An outgoing emergency call is confirmed acoustically.
  • As an alternative, low-contrast staircases with handrails are available. There is a visual and tactile contrast between the floor covering and the stairways.
  • In the exhibitions the exhibits are well illuminated and contrast with the surroundings. On the upper floor the information is partly conveyed acoustically.
  • Operating elements are tactilely detectable almost everywhere and visually rich in contrast.
  • Paths are rarely visually rich in contrast, but marked with tactile markings almost everywhere or the walls or other structural elements can be used for orientation.
  • The evaluated areas usable by the guest are bright and glare-free.
  • The signage is designed in clearly legible, high-contrast font.
  • Information is not tactile or available in Braille.
  • There are no obstacles, e.g. objects protruding into the path/room.
  • There are no guided tours offered for visually impaired and blind people.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

Some information on accessibility are listed below. Detailed information can be found in the test report.

  • The name and logo of the company are clearly visible from the outside.
  • The destinations of the paths are within sight. There are path signs at a visible distance.
  • In the exhibition, information on the exhibits is provided in written form and in photorealistic representation.
  • Guided tours are offered for people with cognitive impairments. The contents of the guided tour are easy to understand or are explained in a way that is easy to understand (e.g. pictorially). A reservation is necessary.

Evaluation report: Download as PDF

Galerie photos

Biosphere Information Center Biosphere Information Center "Haus der Langen Rhön" (Flavio Burul)
Biosphere Information Center Biosphere Information Center "Haus der Langen Rhön" (Flavio Burul)
Biosphere Information Center Biosphere Information Center "Haus der Langen Rhön" (Flavio Burul)
Biosphere Information Center Biosphere Information Center "Haus der Langen Rhön" (Flavio Burul)