For those of you who want to ask, how do you manage to get from town to town, I’m here to answer that. Effective time-management.
I’m already on my second Palatinate town this week — but I don’t think I’m going anywhere anytime soon. I’ve fallen in love with Annweiler am Trifels.
Who cares if you’ve heard me say this before. I mean it this time — and you would say it too if you were a sucker for a Crown Jewels Collection like me. ;-)
It isn’t just the replica of the Crown Jewels of the Holy Roman Empire in the odd-looking Reichsburg Trifels that did it for me. And yes, I said odd looking. This isn’t some fancy Renaissance castle, nor is it some Gothic arch-windowed medieval one.
Reichsburg Trifels can boast that it was actually built during the Middle Ages — it has a more squat Romanesque architecture design. No wonder though, it was built on this 494-meter high mountainside in the 11th century, long before Gothic was all the rage.
One famous “guest” at this former Hohenstaufen castle was Richard the Lion Hearted; another, King Philip of Swabia. OK, they weren’t exactly pampered guests — they spent their time here in the castle’s dungeon.
Not exactly the best way to see the Palatinate Forest or experience the benefits of this health resort town, is it? And I don’t think Rick and Phil would think of the Middle Ages in such a romanticized way as everyone does during the annual Mittelaltermarkt (Medieval Market).
Can’t make that? It’s all right… Maybe you can come for the Keschdefescht in October, or the obligatory, charming Christmas Market in November/December.
One of the biggest events around Annweiler is the Summer of Culture, with all sorts of events going on at the Rathausplatz.
In between all that, go visit the Museum unterm Trifels. This Local History Museum is unique in that it’s spread out over three (yeah, 3) half-timbered houses; which aren’t the only ones, BTW.
Do you see now why I say I’m in love with Annweiler am Trifels? History and intrigue, gems and jewels, festivals with medieval jesters — yeah, I’m so hooked.
