Altenberge — The Ice Cellar And Heimathues Kittken Are Smash Hits

When you got a hankerin’ for an ice-cold brew in the heat of the summer, what do you do? That’s right, you walk over to the ‘fridge and grab one. But, what did they do before refrigeration was part of our everyday life?

The old Beuing Brewery in Altenberge had a simple solution, an Eiskeller (sound it out and you got it, ice cellar!) that kept the beer in the 8-10°C (46-50°F) range. The brewery has been gone since the 1920’s, but the Eiskeller still remains today and is one of Altenberge’s main attractions.

Find out more about the town at the Heimathues Kittken, now the local history museum and once used as a jail and police residence.

That’s a good place to start and see how Altenberge has changed over the centuries. Learn how the Sieverding House was once used as a 17th century summer home for Jesuits trying to escape the heat of the city (hey, no refrigeration back then — so, no A/C either).

They probably didn’t sit on the Marktplatz (Market Square) at an outdoor tabled shaded by yellow umbrella enjoying a drink like you can, though. Come on a Wednesday and you’ll be able to shop at the Weekly Market (this isn’t the Marktplatz for nothing, ya know).

One of Altenberge’s other spots to sit and enjoy a drink is under the Küsellinde, a 300 year old tree. If this doesn’t do it for you, I’m sure you’ll find one along a few of the town’s cycling trails, including the 100 Castles Route.

Finish off your trip with a visit to the World Wars Memorial in the Alter Friedhof (Old Cemetery), the 14th century St. Johannes Baptist (yes, that would be St. John the Baptist in English) church, and the Chapel of the Madonna (not the singer Madonna, silly).

Hey, at least you won’t have to schlep down to the Eiskeller for an ice cold beer after a long day of sightseeing.

 

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