What is it with Germany having all these small towns with names bigger than they are? All right, I know I’m being a big melodramatic, but consider Bruchmühlbach-Miesau in the Palatinate. It barely has 8,000 residents, but it’s name is like 10 feet long. ;-)

I’m joking, of course, about its name — but I wouldn’t consider poking fun at Bruchmühlbach-Miesau itself. This is a fun-loving town (it’s also a collective municipality) that takes its festivals (and other events) seriously.

Going against general writing practices, I’m gonna start off by mentioning one of Bruchmühlbach-Miesau’s biggest events, the Kirchweih in Martinshöhe. It’s a huge church fair on the Sunday before Michaelmas (the Sept. 29th feast day of St. Michael — the archangel that defeated Lucifer).

Some other festivals in Bruchmühlbach-Miesau would be four (yes, 4) church fêtes — most of them in August (the 1st weekend, 2nd weekend, and last weekend of the month). Just to be a bit different, there’s another church fête on the 4th weekend of October.

Besides religious festivals (appropriate since the town’s on the Way of St. James), horses are really big here. Every Pentecost there’s a huge horse show; and one day every August is Horse Racing Day.

In-between all the church and horse events, you’ll still have a good bit to see in Bruchmühlbach-Miesau. But, sorry, there’s no local history museum — but a Staubsauger Museum instead. Very interesting, a museum totally dedicated to the vacuum cleaner…

For old churches (yeah, we’re back to them for a minute) look no further than the late 15th century church in Langwieden. You’ll also see some pretty half-timbered and Baroque houses in this quaint village.

In Lambsborn you’ll see a few more of the those framework house, but if you’re willing to hike out into the Palatinate Forest Nature Park (which also borders France — but don’t worry about going there, there’s more than a hundred miles of hiking or Nordic Walking trails in & around Bruchmühlbach-Miesau) you’ll find some awesome natural rock formations made from red sandstone.

Your trip to Bruchmühlbach-Miesau can end two ways. 1) at the Ohmbachstausee — a charming lake that’s often a venue for festivals and concert, or 2) nah… option one is plenty enough. ;-)

Whether you choose to call this scenic route the VIA REGIA or the King’s Road (Königsstraße), the game remains the same. It’s still a medieval royal route that was (at one time) under the laws and protection of the King (whomever that may have been at the time).

The VIA REGIA is a fairly long route that goes from Santiago de Compostela, Spain all the way to Kiev, Ukraine. Its German portion covers 600km (373mi) through 2,000 years of astounding history.

FYI, this one hasn’t got a “theme” like many other scenic routes in Germany. It’s rather just a nice, leisurely way of seeing and getting a sense of a bygone era.

Start of the VIA REGIA in Germany

The German portion of the VIA REGIA starts in the city of Frankfurt am Main, a city on an old trade route to Leipzig. It’s a city filled with museums, theaters, festivals, and an International Book Fair. It’s also a major hub for rail and Autobahn connections — making the start of your trek along the VIA REGIA quite easy.

The VIA REGIA then goes on to Hanau, hometown of the Brothers Grimm. Good place for a Fairytale Festival, a castle (Philippsburg Castle houses the Regional History Museum), and an outdoor market twice a week. You might also be tempted to pick up the German Fairy Tale Road at this point, but you’ll miss out on the rest of the VIA REGIA.

Now you pick-up the VIA REGIA along what’s known as the Birkenhainer Straße, running along the Spessart to the town of Gelnhausen. You’ve got half-timbered houses, a Hexenturm (Witches Tower) that’s now a museum, a 12th century castle, and even better — a 13th century wine cellar.

Still following the Birkenhainer Straße you arrive in Steinau an der Straße, another town of the Brothers Grimm. Besides the 13th century Schloss Steinau (the Local History Museum), make sure you see the museum of the Brothers Grimm housed in their childhood home.

I got so caught up with the Grimms, that I almost left out Steinau’s artificial lake — a nice place to just chill out for a while.

The king’s soldier’s might not have been the only ones to trek along the VIA REGIA, many pilgrims along the Way of St. James traveled these roads. They often found themselves in the town of Neuhof (Fulda), stopping at the Church of St. Michael. You’ll find yourself coming for the Church Festival (Nov. 5th) or the Heidelbeerfest on the 2nd weekend of August.

VIA REGIA’s road changes course a bit, now onto the Federal Highway 84 towards Fulda, the next town on our journey. Don’t leave before seeing the Hexenturm (once used as a women’s prison), the Schlossgarten (with a theater, pool, and sports activities), and especially the Cathedral whose crypt is the final resting place of St. Boniface.

As exciting as you’ll find Fulda, wait until you arrive in the Thuringian Forest town of Eisenach (which you’ll get here on the A 7 autobahn) — dominated by the massive, formidable, breathtaking Wartburg Castle. You might have heard of it — it’s where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German. And Johann Sebastian Bach was baptized in the Church of St. George.

Your next town is Erfurt, another town that’s synonymous with Luther. He was a monk here at the Augustinian monastery, and it’s where you can stay the night since it has a hostel. Don’t go expecting lavish digs… this is a “monks cell.”

Rest up, you still need to see the Church of St. Severus, Molsdorf Palace, and all the houses along the Merchants Bridge.

If you got to see another castle, don’t worry — you’ll find it the town of Eckartsberga. The Eckartsburg is the town’s landmark, as it should be with its 36-meter high keep. Besides a museum with Stone Age artifacts and a Dutch Windmill, you’ll find an amusement area with a summer toboggan track, a fun maze, and miniature golf.

Travelers can’t live by history alone, can they? Uh, depends on who you’re asking. ;-)

I know what you can live on along — wine. No, maybe spa treatments. Good thing you’ll find both in Bad Kösen (on the B 87 highway) so you can choose. You can also party ’til the cows come home — at the Fountain Festival in late May or at the Festival of Lights in early September.

I guess it’s back to history when you come to the town of Naumburg (Saale), whose cathedral attracts thousands of visitors a year. It also lies along the Romanesque Route, Bach played at the Wenzelkirche, and its Cherry Festival has been taking place every year since the 16th century.

Your trip along the VIA REGIA now takes you to Leipzig. A visit to the zoo or all the cafes, bars, pubs, museums, and shops will keep you happily entertained.

As you leave Leipzig, you’re now entering the Upper Lusatia region, and the town of Großenhain — which just so happens to be on the Way of St. James as well. Here’s your chance to visit the ruins of a medieval monastery, visit the Heimatmuseum, and see a castle.

Sounds good right? It gets better. Großenhain was also the site of one of the first airfields — and a training facility for the likes of none other than Manfred von Richthofen. Yup, the Red Baron himself.

It’s hard to leave the old haunt of the world’s most famous pilot, but it’s on to Königsbrück — where you’ll see a miniature model of the VIA REGIA, a military cemetery, a castle (with a castle festival), a medieval market, and an Oktoberfest.

In Kamenz, you’ll find it to be a small town with tiny, medieval lanes; charming shops, hiking & biking trails, guided walking tours, and a museum with the works of writer Gotthold Lessing.

Bautzen is pretty awesome, too. A visit to the Friedensbrücke (Peace Bridge), Schloss Ortenburg, and the Observation Tower rounds off a lovely visit.

We’ve come to the last town on the VIA REGIA, the town of Görlitz. There’s a church here that’s a replica of Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and a Marktplatz with buildings that run the gamut from medieval, to Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

Our time on the VIA REGIA ends at this point in Germany, leading off to Breslau in Poland. But, with so much to look at in Görlitz, I think you’ll be here for while.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the King’s Road a.k.a. Königsstrasse a.k.a. VIA REGIA.

God Save the King, isn’t that the saying? Better yet, how about God Save The King’s Road! ;-)

VIA REGIA Web Site

Here is the official Web site of the VIA REGIA — with more details about the route that goes from Santiago de Compostela, Spain to Kiev, Ukraine.

How much wine could you possibly fit in 135km? I’ll tell you, thirty-plus small towns and villages (some with less than 300 residents) that you’ll find along the Nahe Wine Route, or Naheweinstraße, in the Rhineland-Palatinate.

This is a driving route, and we all know that drinking & driving doesn’t mix. So either find a designated driver or expect to take a while to complete the entire thing. But, a smaller 98km cycling trail runs parallel to the Nahe Wine Route, in case you’re interested in traveling by this mode of transport.

The Start Of The Nahe Wine Route

The Nahe Wine Route starts in the former Roman town of Bingen am Rhein, more precisely in its Bingerbrück district. On top of its 40 vintners, there’s a Villa Rustica (an old Roman building), a Roman graveyard, a stunning basilica, and an island tower built because of a villanous bishop.

It’s also home to the Monastery Rupertsberg whose former abbess, Hildegard, created 30 remedies from wine.

Oh, we’re off to a good start, aren’t we?

Our next town is Münster-Sarmsheim, where wine grapes have been grown since the days of the Romans. Other sightseeing here would include visits to the Old Customs House (now a vineyard), its 15th century church, 16th century Rathaus, and if you’re lucky you’ll be here for the Sts. Peter & Paul Church Kerb in early August.

Eighteen wineries await you in Rümmelsheim. This town has 144 hectares dedicated to growing (mostly white) grapes, so the scenery — and its Burg Layen — are the real highlight here.

Waldlaubersheim might be close to the 10th century Castle Stromberg, but it’s its seven wineries that give it its place on the Nahe Wine Route.

The same number of wineries await you in Schweppenhausen, as does many half-timbered houses, a former synagogue, and Jewish cemetery.

Over in Windesheim you’ll find the Organ Museum, Clock Museum, and a charming chapel, and a wine walking route that follows along the best of the town’s vineyards.

In Guldental there’s a Vineyard Museum, which is part of the Local History Museum; and a lovely Baroque church from the 18th century.

Look, another castle! Burg Gutenberg (built circa 1200) might be a ruin, but you’ll love it just as much as you will all the wine houses and vineyards.

Wallhausen has two wine festivals, so if you can’t make the Red Wine Fest in May — you can try for the Wine Festival at the end of August. Can’t make either one? It’s alright… just take lots of pictures of the many half-timbered houses or visit the 18th century church and Jewish Cemetery instead.

Oh, wait — sorry, Wallhausen’s August Wine Festival is in the village of Sommerloch (another town on this wine route). It also plays host to a fun, wine drinking church festival in September; and has a number of Nordic Walking trails.

Braunweiler’s motto Wald, Wein, und Wandern (Forest, Wine, and Hiking) says it all — a fantastic forest with lots of hiking trails to get lost in (not really lost — but lost from the stresses of daily life) and all the wine you could possibly drink. It’s also a pretty good place to party with a Potato Festival (Oct), Forest Festival (July), Fire Festival (August), and a Cherry Fair in July.

Life doesn’t get much better than this on the Nahe Wine Route.

It does, however, get a bit quieter in the next town Sankt Katharinen — a municipality of only around 350 people, who are greatly outnumbered by all the grapes. ;-)

Mandel, while not a huge city (population 880), has plenty of vineyards, wineries, and two wine festivals. It’s also close to Castle Koppenstein — for a proper castle ruin visit.

Both Sponheim and Burgsponheim have their own respective wineries, but you’ll find castle ruins (Castle Sponheim), a 12th century church, and hiking & biking trails in the Sponheimerweg in the Naturpark Soonwald between them.

Bockenau is a nice place to stay the night, as its Guesthouse Dockendorf offers a nice place to stay (it’s got a beer & wine garden). After a restful night’s sleep, look around at all the framework houses and its 18th century Baroque church.

Here’s where the Nahe Wine Route gets a bit tricky. The route follows to the village of Daubach, which is actually part of the “collective municipality” of Bad Sobernheim. Doesn’t sound so bad yet? Wait.

There are actually four other villages of Bad Sobernheim (not including the town proper itself) on your journey — but, I’ll do my best to break them down individually.

Starting in Daubach you’ve got a fun Wine & Hike Weekend every August, but also an annual wine festival. Merxheim, another one of the spa town’s wine villages is just charming — especially its 15th century Rathaus. And lastly is Meddersheim, where you’ll love the Wine Festival at the end of August every year.

I would suggest heading off to one of Bad Sobernheim’s many spa treatments right about now, but a stop to the ruins of the Kloster Disibodenberg should be first.

Actually, the monastery technically belongs to the village of Odernheim am Glen, just as the Wine Festival (September) does too. In Staudernheim there’s a former synagogue and a 19th century Protestant Church to see — and a Barefoot Path to do. Nice.

Too bad we’re almost at the end of our trip — I’m rather enjoying all the wine. Delicious! ;-)

Auen is next up with the 1000-year old chapel known as the Willigis-Kapelle. It’s also got a Kneipp area to soak your tootsies after exploring the hundreds of hectares of vineyards.

Hmm, visit the eight wineries in Monzingen or the thousand year old St. Martin Church? Both! In celebration of wine, Monzingen holds a yearly Wine Festival in mid-September.

Wine drinkers rejoice, as 85% of the Duchroth’s grapes are of the white variety. But, I’m taking an educated guess that you’ll find something you like at one of the town’s 11 wineries. If not there, then at the annual Weinfest, for sure.

Looking for a romantic spot? I suggest the bridge over by the mill pond in the village of Norheim. Don’t stick around too long — you’ve got five more towns to go.

For which Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg (aren’t we Germans just crazy for long names?) is one of them. Let’s see… natural rock formations, a 14th century castle (hosting a Medieval Market in September), and a Wine Festival in July. The town’s name might be really long, but you don’t have to say it, just visit it. ;-)

Bad Kreuznach is the motherlode of all the towns on the Nahe Wine Route. Spa services await you after a day (or two) visiting the Faust House, the mosaics of an old Roman Villa, and hiking one of the largest wine growing regions in the state.

As if Bad Kreuznach isn’t perfect enough, it’s got to throw in a 5-day festival, half-timbered houses, a castle, and 15th century houses built right over the bridge to top it all off.

Bretzenheim doesn’t have that many attractions, but its 17 wineries and mid-August Wine Festival will more than make up for it.

The last two towns on this circular route will bring you to Langenlonsheim and the village of Laubenheim. The former has a yearly wine festival at the end of September, 14 wineries, and its very own Wine Queen. The latter having 13 wineries to add to the equation.

For all of Germany’s many wine-themed scenic routes, the Nahe Wine Route has to be one of the most idyllic. And I guess I answered my own question about how much wine could one pack into 135km. ;-)

Nahe Wine Route Web Site

Here is a Web site dedicated to the Nahe Wine Route and the Nahe wine region as a whole.

Just 20km to the southeast of Osnabrück, near the Teutoburg Forest, would be the spa town of Bad Rothenfelde. You’d think that because of its “Bad” designation that the spa would the highlight and end-all of what the town has to offer.

Not so in this case.

The biggest thing to hit Bad Rothenfelde takes place every two years (odd-numbered years, BTW), which is the Art/Light show at the Gradierwerke. These massive walls (originally used for salt extraction) are transformed before your very eyes by artists using nothing but light and their creative imagination (it also acts as an outdoor movie screen — how cool is that).

Even if there’s no light festival going on at the Salt Factory, you’re still welcome to come see it anytime. Guided tours that are available will be your best bet to fully understand how these things work.

Because Bad Rothenfelde is (was?) a salting town, seems an appropriate place to hold a Salt Market. And no, before you ask, they don’t sell only salt. ;-)

A variety of stuff is for sale at its Weekly Market (Wednesdays, 8:30am – 12:30pm), where you won’t be able to stop yourself from buying the yummiest cheeses, the tastiest sausages, and the most colorful flowers.

Whew, if that’s just the weekly market you can just imagine how special the annual Nicholas and Christmas Market must be. It can get a bit chilly in Lower Saxony this time of year, so a hot cup of coffee is in order if you’re going to wander around here on the 2nd Sunday of Advent.

While it’s a bit warmer, you’re always welcome to join in on all the fun at the Quellenfest (2nd to last weekend of September), the Literature Festival in September, or at the mini-Olympics in October.

I’ll take the Wine Festival in July, if you don’t mind, just as soon as I’m done pampering myself with massages, facials, and any other type of spa service I can find time for.

With all the outdoor concerts at the Brunnenplatz, the Nordic Walking trails, paths along the rose bushes in the Kurpark, and the Local History Museum you’ll have to stay an extra day or two to get it all in.

I guess I was right, the “Bad” moniker isn’t the end-all in Bad Rothenfelde.

I know that the town (I’m sorry, the “Collective Municipality”) of Flintbek has been around since the Stone Age. What makes me so confident? I’d say the Neolithic graves found around this part of North Germany would be a dead giveaway (pardon the pun).

Hey, these things aren’t just found on every street corner around the globe, so that makes them pretty gosh-darn special. It also makes the 13th century Flint Church seem, well, not so old. ;-)

Another “grave” of some sort that you need to see in Flintbek is the Mutter des Ostens, or Mother of the East, at the Flint Cemetery. Her somber vigil graveside is quite touching, not to mention a beautiful piece of sculpture.

Don’t worry, it isn’t all about graves and death of ancient civilizations in Flintbek. No, the four townships are really more about life.

Over in Böhnhusen, you’ll find plenty of dairy and horse farms; and Techelsdorf lies along the Eider Valley Trail — where you’ll see Aurochs, which are some kind of domestic cattle.

Farming not your thing? It’s OK, you’re always able to walk across what’s thought to be the oldest iron bridge in all of Germany. Crossing the Eider River, it was built in 1865 under the direction of the Monastery Itzehoe.

Now the Eider River plays a big part in life around Flintbek. Canoeing is one of the biggest attractions around (wouldn’t that be sports, actually?).

But, there’d be no Eider if it didn’t have a source, right? Well, lucky you, you can see where this lazy river gets its start in the village of Schönhorst.

No, not like it’s got a faucet in the middle of town just dripping water until it turns into a river, or anything. Schönhorst is found at the Bothkamper See, that is the official starting point of the Eider. It is also a recreational swimming lake.

And if you can’t live it up there, then I don’t know where else you could. ;-)

Sometimes life likes to throw you a curveball. You think for a minute that you’re going to some small town for some castles or what not — then BAM! You just found yourself wandering around the stars and other unknown places in the universe.

It’s just everywhere that this could happen in Germany, ya know. One of the few is the town of Katlenburg-Lindau, where you really can go from the medieval to the far reaches of space.

Let me explain…

Katlenburg-Lindau is home to the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research. Their whole purpose is to study the planets, comets, the sun, and just about every other thing in space — and it’s all part of the Max Planck Society which employs some 13,000 people all over Germany.

Max Planck, BTW, was a German Nobel Prize winner for Physics (1918).

Long before Mister Planck won his Nobel Prize, the Castle Katlenburg (a castle/monastery) was built here sometime around the 10th or 11th century. Yes, that makes it a real medieval castle, but it’s biggest draw is its 900 year old book depository.

What’s funny is, there are so many books in the depository that the castle can’t tell you what it does or doesn’t have. You just to come see for yourself. Well, from 10:30am-12:30pm on Sundays, that is.

Your time really isn’t limited if you want to see the deserted village of Leisenberger. Its church ruins still hold special services on Whit Monday (the day after Pentecost — 50 days after Easter), and it’s a well-known picnic area.

Pentecost also marks the Murder Mill’s (yes, that’s its real name) Mill Day. And the last medieval site to see is the Mushaus, part of a 14th century castle with walls some 5-meters thick. The castle was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War though.

Then again, if you’d rather hike or bicycle around Katlenburg-Lindau just to see a countryside originally settled by the Saxons (a Germanic Tribe) that’s now all about sheep farming, swimming, and other outdoor activities like enjoying the Nature Reserve Rhumeaue / Ellerniederung / Gillersheim Bachtal.

Yeah, that’s a long name, and we Germans love those, but the River Valley is meant to be enjoyed with your eyes, so don’t worry about trying to say it. ;-)

Did your mom ever teach you that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover? This is how I first felt about the town of Klettgau.

At first, I started to judge it a bit too harshly. As I wanted to get to know Klettgau, everything kept pointing me to Switzerland.

I’m not joking. Klettgau sits right on the border of Switzerland, and if you want to see the Rhine Falls, you better be prepared to leave good old Germany, ’cause you’ll have to go cross the international border.

So, I decided to look at Klettgau like a real book — each one of its seven villages acting as a “chapter.”

Starting with Bühl, I found that besides having a pilgrimage church, it’s also known for its horses. Isn’t that nice to know, Equestrian lovers?

Geißlingen is a forested community — and if you follow it out, you’ll find yourself at the Küssaburg castle ruins. It’s now a popular picnic area, so pack a lunch before heading off.

Grießen is the shopping village, who plays host to many of Klettgau’s markets (like the Simon & Judea Market in Oct, the Catherine’s Market in Nov, and the Christmas Market in December). It’s also where you see those half-timbered houses everyone loves so much.

Want castles instead of spending cash? Go to Weisweil — well, if you want to see where a castle once stood (destroyed by a Habsburg, nonetheless).

Both Riedern am Sand and Rechberg are small, modern hamlets, but totally surrounded by vineyards, so they’re awfully pretty.

I saved Erzingen for last, where it’s all about the vineyards and the annual Wine Festival — a four day event in mid-September.

Whichever village you choose to visit (I’d recommend them all) you’ll find a number of taverns, wineries, charming inns, hiking trails, cycle paths, and a few (more) festivals throughout the year (an Oktoberfest that’s held in — go figure — October, and an air show at the Airfield on the 1st weekend of September).

My mom was right, you really can’t judge a book by its cover — Klettgau, I hope you can find it in your hear to forgive me. ;-)

Have you ever noticed how artists never, ever (OK, rarely) get the respect they rightfully deserve when they’re, how do I say this nicely, alive? Upper Franconia’s town of Schwarzenbach an der Saale, on the other hand, sang its praises of an artistic local boy.

Jean Paul, as he was known later in life, was originally Johann Paul Friedrich Richter — a German writer whose works were quite popular with the ladies.

Not because of some romantic prose or anything like that, but because Jean Paul created a number of characters who were strong women. Totally revolutionary in the late 18th/early 19th centuries.

In honor of the boy who went on to become Schwarzenbach’s most notable resident, you might want to travel along the Jean-Paul Rundweg. It’s an 150km circular route with places important in the life and work of the prolific writer, with information boards with snippets of his work and ideas.

As amazing as Jean Paul’s work is, you’ll want to explore more of Schwarzenbach — there are 27 districts, so you better get crackin’. ;-)

Some of Schwarzenbach’s villages are just small hamlets, like Götzmannsgrün with only 30 residents (actually that’s not even the smallest, one village has a population of 12!).

In Hallerstein, there might only be like 100 houses, but it’s church is quite historical and houses a beautiful Gothic Madonna.

Other sightseeing would include a trip to the Tractor Museum (yes, that’s really all about the tractor) that’s open on the 1st Sunday of the month from 10am-4pm. You also won’t want to leave before seeing the Gedenkstätte Langer Gang, a memorial to the Nazi victims at the subcamp of the Flossenbürg Concentration Camp here.

In mid to late August, Schwarzenbach holds its yearly Handwerkerfest, a craft festival that’s also chocked full of wine, folk music, beer, and great food.

Hmm, sounds like the best place for artists to get their “props” while they’re actually alive. ;-)

I don’t know who should be credited with the phrase “It’s good to be king,” but what I do know is that it sure was good to be Bishop in 17th century Stockstadt am Main; a town that borders the Lower Franconian town of Aschaffenburg and the federal state of Hesse.

Why do I say that? Well, one glimpse of the Schloss Johannisburg can sum it all up. The red sandstone schloss was built between 1605 and 1614, and was the home of the Bishop of Mainz. Its garden pavilion is charming, gracious, and the towers & inner courtyard are just what you’d expect from a Renaissance style castle.

The good bishops don’t live in Stockstadt’s landmark any longer, as it now houses the National Gallery of Bavarian State Paint Collections. Wow, that sure is a long name to just say… That alone makes it a terrific art museum. ;-)

Stockstadt’s other museum is the Local History Museum (known as the Heimatmuseum). You’ll find this little diddy at Maingasse 1.

What you’ll also find in Stockstadt is the Waldschwimmbad outdoor pool and its 50-meter water slide. Have fun careening around its curves right into the outdoor pool.

Too much action? It’s all right if you’d rather just sit at a cafe, pub, restaurant, or beer garden instead. No one will judge harshly, I assure you.

If you want a real quiet spot, the covered bridge that runs to the Fischerinsel (Fisherman’s Island) would be ideal. Wait… I just told the whole world about the bridge, let’s hope it doesn’t get too crowded.

I’ll suggest hiking in the Spessart, if it does. OK? ;-)

Before you’re off and running, don’t go before you’ve seen the Zollhaus (built around 1514), the 18th century Leonharduskirche, and the St. Anna-Kapelle.

Funny thing about the St. Anna-Kapelle. It was built in 1458 and stood for just shy of 500 years before it was torn down in 1925. I know you’re gonna ask, “if it’s torn down, how are we supposed to see it?”

And you should know that I wouldn’t have mentioned it if there wasn’t a way to see it. The one standing before you is an exact replica that the townsfolk put here in 2007.

What else I know is that you’ll totally enjoy Stockstadt’s Christmas Market in December — where you’ll be saying “its good to be here in Stockstadt.” ;-)

I wouldn’t be taking anything away from Nuremberg if I suggested you venture out a bit to visit the town of Schwanstetten.

C’mon, it’s only a day trip — then you can happily head off on your merry way.

The first thing you would need to see in Schwanstetten is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John in the village of Schwand (one of seven villages that makes up Schwanstetten). Surprisingly, it was built out of wood in the 12th century (’cause stone Romanesque church were all the rage at that time), but the one you’re looking at comes from the 1547. It’s open to visitors everyday from 9am-4pm, so there’s ample time to see it.

Schwanstetten’s other church to see is the Evangelical Sts. Peter & Paul in the village of Leerstetten. This too was built in the 12th century, and again in the 14th — it’s pretty in pink, and available to see on weekends.

Since you’re already in Leerstetten, go see the Schleuse. This sluice is considered to be one of the biggest in Europe, and leads out to the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers — the best of Germany’s rivers, yes?

How about the best of Germany’s historical buildings? That would be the Erbschänke zum Schwan — originally a 14th century tavern whose good times ended during the Thirty Years’ War. Well, for a short time anyway. It was rebuilt, and again was a tavern/hotel that residents could be proud of. It still is, after undergoing 4 years of renovation a few years back.

If you can’t slip back to Nuremberg on the same day, you can always stay here.

Good idea, actually, since you’re close to the Franconian Lake District where you’re able to have a bit of beachside fun at the Brombachsee, the Altmühlsee, the Igelsbachsee, or the Rothsee.

Have at it, enjoy all of them — you deserve it.

With a bit of luck, you’ll also get to see the Kohle & Kohlemeiler — which has been making charcoal for 800 years. It’s hot and sweaty work, so maybe you should check that out first before splashing (hiking, biking, you get the point) around the Franconian countryside, huh? ;-)