The community is found in the low mountain landscape in the western Hintertaunus, which is part of the Rhenish Massif (Rhenish Slate Mountains). The heights are characterized by a pronounced peak-and-trough surface relief, parts of which show formations from deep in the ground (kaolin). The surface relief had valleys carved deeply into it in the Quaternary by the Aar and its tributaries. Underground, the rock is formed mainly out of the Rhenish Slate Mountains’ Lower Devonianshale, metamorphicsandstone and quartzite. On top are found, often several metres deep, great layers of periglacial deposits much of which contains carbonate-free to weakly carbonate loessloam. Oligoceneshingle (Vallendar facies) overlies the older surface near Kettenbach and Hausen über Aar.
Well known in professional circles are the occurrences of soil erosion (gullies and similar channels) in broad parts of the community which began in historical times. The landscape in the community's municipal area is characterized by the middle Aar valley with its side valleys. The greater part of the municipal area is wooded. The main land use in open areas is field crops. In the valleys is meadowland, sometimes with scenically valuable meadow orchards (Streuobstwiesen). The Aubach, the Aar's biggest tributary, empties into that river within community limits, as does the Bettenbach.
The constituent community of Rückershausen had its first documentary mention in 879. Until 1326, the village belonged to the domain held by Count Gebhard of the Niederlohngau. Thereafter, first a share of the village and later the whole passed to Nassau. In 1532, Rückershausen was granted market rights.
Hausen über Aar likewise had its first documentary mention in 879, when it belonged to the Niederlohngau and found its way into the ownership of St. Severus's Monastery in Kettenbach, which in the same year was moved to Gemünden in the Westerwald. Later, Hausen über Aar had two lords and as of 1806 belonged to the Duchy of Nassau.
With the consecration of St. Severus's Monastery in 845, the village of Kettenbach was founded by Gebhard, Count of the Lahngau and had its first documentary mention. Some time about 1000, the County of Diez grew out of the Niederlahngau. Over the centuries, Kettenbach had various owners and ended up in 1771 wholly in Nassau's hands.
At the last election on 11 March 2007, Udo Scheligo (CDU) edged in with 50.5% of the vote over the incumbent mayor Hartmut Bopp (SPD), who garnered 49.5% of the vote. Other parties nominated no candidates, and also, no independent candidates stood. Voter turnout was 69.7%.
Evangelical church from 1752. The Baroqueorgan, called the Schölerorgel from 1763 is under monumental protection; its last major overhaul was in 1969–1970.
Fortress church at the graveyard, about 800 years old (mediaeval quire tower, rib vaulting, eight-sided cupola, round quire arch). Today, Aarbergen's oldest building is used as a mortuary chapel.
Evangelical church from the late Gründerzeit (1908)
450-year-old lime tree under conservation protection at the graveyard (Apostellinde)
Rahnstätter Hof (former estate), well with restored walls with a plaque on which a summarized history can be read, below the glider field (first mentioned in 1194–98, in 1870 the estate was made public at dissolution)
Evangelical church built about 1326, converted in the 18th century, organ from 1755
Antonius-Sprudel, known since 1779, carbonic acid sparkling sour mineral water (Säuerling), drinking and healing water (gout, diabetes, gastritis and enteritis, kidney flushing, metabolic disorders)
Catholic church built 1690-1709 (endowed by the Baron of Galen, hereditary treasurer). The church is used equally by both Catholic and Evangelical Christians.
Michelbach, Kettenbach, Hausen über Aar, Rückershausen[edit]
Through the community runs the Aartalbahn (railway), which opened in 1894 and is now under monumental protection. It is Hesse's longest building monument and is said to be an outstanding example of an elaborately designed German secondary railway line. In the warmer half of the year there are Draisine trips on these tracks run by the interstateAarbeitskreis Aartalbahn (“Aar Valley Railway Working Group”, with the first word humorously misspelt – there is usually only one A).
Each year in the autumn, in every constituent community, the traditional Kerb (kermisorfair), which have mostly been organized by youth for generations. In Michelbach the festival is called Hammelkerb, in Daisbach Klaa Frankfurter Kerb, in Hausen über Aar Häuser Kerb, in Panrod Panröder Kerb and in Kettenbach Schulweihkerb.
In Rückershausen each year on the last Tuesday in October, the Rückershäuser Markt has been held since 1532. It is one of the oldest festivals in the whole region.
The Gebirgstrachten-Erhaltungsverein Huiberg Weiß-Blau e.V. (GTEV) stages yearly on the second weekend in June its great Bavarian tent festival in the Michelbacher Brühl (a public ground).
During the great event Fahr zur Aar, the Aarstraße (Bundesstraße54) from Taunusstein to Diez is closed every summer to car traffic.
Michelbach Christmas Market, yearly on the second day in Advent. Since 2006, it has been held in the Brühl (formerly on the main street).
Each year the Moto-Cross Hessencup in Aarbergen-Kettenbach is held at the Michelbacher Hütte.
