If you’re a German cars aficionado like I am, then chances are you’ve heard of the Upper Bavarian town of Aschheim; as this is where you’ll find BMW’s test track.
Cool. Who doesn’t like doing Mach-5 in a well-built German car? I know I ain’t the only one. ;-)
The automobile is a modern invention, barely more than a century old. Which makes a nice contrast to the prehistoric side of Aschheim. A large number of Neolithic graves were found here, including artifacts of ancient pagan goddess statues.
Most of what was found around Aschheim are housed within the Prehistoric Museum. Open on the first Sunday of the month, the museum (located on Münchener Straße) has exhibits dating back to around 2800 B.C. right up to sometime in the Middle Ages.
Not much of the medieval remains in Aschheim, but you can see the Emmeram Chapel from 1524 that replaced the mid-9th century original. More than a hundred years later residents built the St. Sebastian Chapel that’s still standing.
For a cultural experience, the Culture, Education, and Historical Center is the place to be. All sorts of theater performances, cabaret, classical music concerts, literary readings, and lectures take place within its walls. It also acts as the venue for the annual Christmas Market.
Not here for the Christmas Season? It’s OK, you can always just shop the Weekly Market (at Markt & Synodenplatz) on Wednesday afternoons from 2pm-6pm. Just like you gotta fuel up the car, you gotta fuel up yourself with fresh produce, cheeses, and beer.
Wait. Scratch that. No beer if you’re gonna be driving. ;-)
Don’t even think about the beer if you’re going to climb Aschheim’s High Ropes either. It’s a year-round course with 25 different difficulty levels.
Not enough action for you? There’s always waterskiing or motorcycle racing remaining.
If that’s too much, take it slow at the 18-hole golf course or just mosey along at a leisurely pace to find the perfect fishing spot.
Just try not to stink up the car when you’re done, OK?
