Kirchhain is now known as the “Gateway to the Burgwald,” a low mountain range, and is home to of its 12 municipalities or districts.

Prehistoric trails show a continuous settlement from at least the New Stone Age, while the area really grew some time in the 5th century B.C, or the early Iron Age.

Kirchhairn once sat on the old trade route from Cologne to Leipzig in the Middle Ages and caused quite a bit of fighting between the Mainzers and the Hessians. During the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) the town’s 1000 residents were overburdened by the ~13,000 soldiers that flocked to the town and surrounding areas.

There are buildings still standing today from medieval life. The Town Hall, a timber framed building, dates from around 1450 and is the town’s landmark. The Haus zum blauen Löwen was built in the early 1600’s and is the birthplace of the German poet Eberhard Werner Happel.

No doubt, any medieval city isn’t complete without a medieval church. So stands the St. Michael church, a 15th century design.

Since Kirchhain is the gateway to the Burgwald, you’ll find plenty of exciting cycling trails within the forest. For those of you not too excited about a bike, there’s an abundance of hiking trails to excite you. And the indoor and outdoor pools are also great fun for both young and old.

If you’re looking for a great place for some family fun, exploring the great outdoors, and experience a little history and culture take the time to get to know Kirchhain.

If you think of Weilerswist in North Rhine-Westphalia you would hardly think about a town that once belonged to Spain — especially when it’s only around 27 km or 15 miles from Cologne.

Through marriages, war, and inheritance the area of Weilerswist came under the control of Spain for more than 250 years.

You’ll definitely be able to see Spain’s influence in the area when you visit the “spanish” town hall in the Lommersum district, known as Spanisches Rathaus, which was built in a Baroque style sometime in the beginning years of the 1600’s.

Oh sure, the small town as we know it today is comparatively young, having been formed with its surrounding 13 villages only since 1969. It is, however, much older dating back more than ten centuries. There’s even evidence of Roman influence.

Such as in the case of the Swister Tower, the remains of an old pilgrimage church, built in the first two decades of the 1100’s. What makes the Swister Tower so remarkable is the 12th century tower that was built on 9th century church ruins. The archeological finds show the first church built on top of a Roman Heiligtum.

Also thanks to grand German engineering, Weilerswist is home to not one, but three castles still standing today.

Sadly for us, at the Burg Bodenheim you’ll only be able to see the outside of this one, since it’s now a private residence. It was, however, uninhabited in the 19th century and completely restored today, but gone is the castle’s chapel and moat. The history of this particular castle dates to foundations from the year 950 and the castle was built into two different parts.

Wasserburg Kühlseggen is a real gem, sadly the 15th century plans of the original castle are gone to time. The castle did lay in ruins for some time but is restored today with a gorgeous large garden.

The Burg Klein Vernich is another castle in Weilerswist but the youngest of the three, having been built only some time at the turn of the 18th century replacing the original structures.

Großostheim, or just simply known as Ostheim up until the 18th century, is a 1200 year old gem in Lower Franconia.

Großostheim was first mentioned in documents sometime between 780 and 799 at the area’s Fulda Abbey, while its Pflaumheim district is just about as old, having celebrated its 1200th anniversary in 1994.

The area of Ringheim today is built on an earlier village from the 1500’s. Only the old mill, once an inn and farmhouse, remain of the original settlement in the area. Ringheim today as we know it, came after building began on an old Luftwaffe Base after 1945.

The youngest of the villages is Wenigumstadt, having been the official town name since only 1229. However, archeological finds in the area have shown that it’s been inhabited for over 7000 years!

There are plenty of medieval structures and artwork to see in the tiny villages that belong to this town. The Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul have a touching “Lamentation of Christ” dating from 1515.

There are three chapels worth noting here in Großostheim. One chapel dates to 1517, when a local farrier consecrated one to St. Elgius. The Frauhäuschen Chapel is a late 15th century design and the Kreuzkappelle (or Cross Chapel) has an early 16th Crucifixion scene.

The timber framed houses, for which there are 148 protected, can be found on the market square (Marktgasse), as well as Kanzleistraße, Haarstraße, and Breite Straße.

Pflaumheim has the oldest of the town halls, dating from 1548 but Wenigumstadt’s (another district in the south-west) not too much younger, having been built in 1584.

The medieval fortification walls no longer stand but a few of the towers still do. The Spitzerturm (or Sharp Tower) has its very own prison and dungeon. The Hexenturm (Witches’ Tower) doesn’t have a dungeon but 11 women were killed here in a witchhunt in the beginning years of the 17th century.

Großostheim has history and hiking combined on the Einhardsweg — a 50 mile long hiking and cycling trail following the footsteps of Einhard, Charlemagne’s biographer. You’ll also find 36 Bildstöcke, a cross or column pillar, that served as roadside shrines from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

Bad Säckingen is probably one of the best located cities you can find, sitting on the edge of the mystic Black Forest in Baden-Wüttemberg and only a stone’s throw from the Swiss border.

Though it’s a rural town in the Waldshut District, it’s not going to take rocket science to figure out why people have been coming here since at least the early 6th century.

The city of Bad Säckingen will forever be known as the Trumpeteer City from the book titled Der Trompeter von Säckingen by the famous German 19th century author Joseph Victor von Scheffel. Books aside, the city boasts an impressive resume of sports, leisure, and places of interest to visit and enjoy.

Shortly after a fire destroyed the town sometime in the 1200s, residents started to build the Gothic cathedral in the town’s center. Known as the Fridolinmünster, you’ll be able to visit this church that has stood for more than 700 years. St. Fridolin founded a monastery and church here in Bad Säckingen sometime back in the early 6th century and the town has preserved the crypts under the monastery to this very day.

Make sure to see the 19th century castle, Schloss Schönau or check out any number of cathedral or chamber music concerts and festivals that are always going on.

The best way to see Bad Säckingen is to get outside and start hiking or cycling along the trails of the Black Forest and High Rhine. Guided hiking tours are available in town for those who wish to hike with others and a variety of cycling trails abound for beginners to the advanced.

For those of you who prefer a more leisurely pace, what better place to be than at the thermal mineral spa? Taking a dip in the pool or sitting around in the Finnish sauna isn’t a bad idea either. The city of Bad Säckingen wasn’t given the title of “Bad” until its 1100th birthday in 1978 and the title is rightfully fitting.

For all you golf lovers out there you’ll be treated to grand views of the surrounding mountains and forest while playing.

Since Bad Säckingen is so centrally located that you could choose to go on and visit places like Basel and Zürich, which are only a half or one hour away, but why bother — Bad Säckingen has it all! ;-)

In the Heinsberg District of North Rhine-Westphalia lies the town of Wassenberg, an area bordering the Netherlands and dating back to the Stone Age. Head over to the town’s local history museum and see relics found from prehistoric to Roman times.

Wassenberg is the place for you to feel like royalty from days long past since the Castle Wassenberg is now a restaurant and hotel. The castle itself dates from 1085 but most of what we can see (and stay) today dates from around 1420. The brick tower from early 1400’s is now an observation tower.

What a view!

There are a couple of other castles to visit while in Wassenberg. The Schloss Effeld is a water castle manor house from around 1256 while the Schloss Elsum isn’t too much younger, having been built in 1288. The Schloss Elsum was redone sometime at the turn of the 15th or 16th century and destroyed by bombings in 1945 during the Second World War, causing it to have to be rebuilt again in the 1950’s. The old windmill from 1600 was destroyed by lightening in 1884, today it’s a fine restaurant.

More reminders of medieval times are the remnants of the town’s fortification walls and military towers.

Wassenberg is also home to quite a few churches and chapels worth visiting. The Birgelener Pützchen, a tiny forest chapel that dates from 750 with additions added on in 1933. The Church of St. Martin is a masterpiece from the 12th century, though the towers date back only to the 16th century. St. Martin’s Onsbeck is even older, the church and the tower were built sometime around the year 1000.

St. George Wassenberg and its 36 meter high tower is quite an impressive backdrop, dating from 1118. Interesting enough, the different time periods and styles through the centuries only enhance the beauty of this 900 year old church.

When you come to Wassenberg you’re able to sleep in a royal castle, see centuries old art at any one of the numerous historic churches in the area, and have dinner in a 400 year old windmill. That’s enough to make anyone feel like royalty! ;-)

On the River Rhine in the yummy Rheingau lies the wonderful town of Eltville am Rhein, one of ten German rose cities.

You’ll find not only spectacular roses in the region, but some great wine making grapes. Eltville is the home to at least three of the area’s most famous vineyards, Steinberg, Rauenthaler Baiken, and Erbacher Macrobrunn.

It is special and it won’t take you long to realize why this area’s been continuously inhabited since about the Stone Age. So strategic and important was Eltville in the Middle Ages that some 14th century Emperor and Pope had continuously fought over it.

For sure you’ll have plenty of medieval sights to keep you busy between your trips to the local vineyards for some serious wine tasting. Between vineyard stops, take a visit to the 13th century Electoral Castle (and remnants of the town’s walls dating from the same time), the Schloss Reinhartshausen, the 14th century Church of St. Peter and Paul, and the Crass Castle.

And you’ll just find yourself appreciating all the details of the timber framed houses surrounding the town’s market square.

But the real gem of Eltville is the Cistercian Monastery and the beginnings of winemaking in the region. The Monastery itself is a 12th century design, with a hospital added in the 13th century. The monks complemented some Gothic side chapels some time in the 14th century and a library at the turn of the 16th century. The library was very fitting since Eltville’s medieval economy was helped along by its large book printing industry.

The monastery offers tours that give you an inside look into the solitary life of a monk in the Middle Ages. Or, you can just visit on a Friday afternoon for wine tasting!

Books and solitude aside, the area’s built on grapes and Eltville capitalizes on that since the area’s developed for tourism but isn’t “touristy.” Come to town in late April/early May for the Rheingauer Schlemmerwoche, when the local wine cellars are open for sampling.

If you like the autumn, try visiting on the last weekend in October for the Kappesker Weinlesefest, the wine harvest festival.

Better yet, just come, enjoy, and have a drink! ;-)

Wadern, the third largest city (in terms of area) in all of Saarland, and its surrounding villages of Dagstuhl, Morscholz, Noswendel, and Nunkirchen date back a millenia.

Wadern receives about 45 inches of rain a year, with December being the wettest. A visit in April will be the driest and the weather just a delight for everyone.

When it’s not raining, Noswendel has a wonderful large lake sitting on a protected nature preserve. The kids will love to feed the ducks or run around on the two playgrounds. Join in a game of one-on-one with the locals on the basketball court. A game of tennis may be your cup of tea and there are quite a few tennis courts in town.

Besides sports there are many medieval buildings to visit. The Öttinger Schloss houses the local history museum which will give you an appreciation for all the castles and medieval churches within the local villages.

The Dagstuhl Castle, built in 1290, stood for 500 years before being destroyed in 1720. It was rebuilt and today houses a computer science center. The castle’s chapel is as beautiful today as it was centuries ago. No wonder it’s still in use!

Büschfeld also had its very own castle, but it was demolished due to the building of the railroads in the late 19th century. Schloss Münchweiler in Nunkirchen is the only baroque castle in all of Saarland and completely worth a trip.

With religion playing the leading role in daily life during the Middle Ages, the churches built were, and still are, a work of engineering and artistic genius. The Parish Church Wolfgang in Morscholz dates back to the 15th century, and the church’s bell was made some 500 years ago. The Heart Jesu Church in Nunkirchen has been a protected sight since 1896 and has stood for more than four centuries.

All in all, Wadern is a town of medieval villages with wonderful churches, castles, and outdoor recreation in the picturesque foothills of the Hunsrück. It may be wet, but it’s definitely worth it! :-)

Located in Saxony bordering Thuringia is Meerane, a wonderful town that dates back more than seven centuries.

Meerane was once home to Horing & Co., an East German carriage and car company. It also, according to weather records, receives more sunshine than any other place in all of Germany. Here’s a town that celebrates freedom fighters, loves music, and yet maintains a well preserved medieval history.

For some interesting trivia, head over to the Romantik Hotel Schwanefeld, a really well preserved half timbered building, where the Thuringian and Saxon border runs right through the middle of the hotel!

The best place to start your trip would be at the 18th century Rathaus, the Town Hall housing the local History Museum. You’ll learn why some of the streets names have changed in respect for some famous resistance fighters, Martin Hochmuth, Gustav Schaller, and Rudolf Hallmeyer.

Don’t be fooled by what is called the Steep Wall. It’s actually a street but quite a steep grade up the “mountain route.” The name was coined by visiting reporter in the 1950’s.

For even older history there’s the St. Martin Church, built sometime in the early 14th century, with the Gothic Choir dating to 1503.

Grab a tour guide and go down under to the Höhler to explore the underground caves and caverns. Dating back to at least the 14th century, these underground tunnels stored food (and beer!) for residents at a constant temperature. These caverns helped the residents of Meerane survive medieval fires and even the air raids of the Second World War.

Not too soon after the fall of East Germany, the town opened its Art Museum in 1991. It’s here that you find plenty of lovely artwork and everything from jazz to classical music concerts. Meerane also prides itself on its 2-day music festival that somehow gets the entire town jammin’! ;-)

It’s no wonder the town loves music… This is where no other than Johann Sebastian Bach played while at Altenberg Castle. The castle itself is a 1,000 year old wonder and shouldn’t be missed. The Hausmannsturm (House Man’s Tower) dates from the 12th century and stands some 32 meters high. There had been major additions to the original castle through the centuries, like the chapel that was added in 1404.

The castle today plays host to Altenberg Summers. A summer cultural arts program filled with gospel choirs, lectures, and even Tibetan Nuns with their wonderful sand art.

All in all, there are not too many foreign visitors to this region in Saxony which means you’ll mostly have this special town all to yourself!

Less than 30 minutes west of Munich lies Gilching, an old Roman (and Celtic) village in Bavaria with a history that spans a few thousand years, at least. And its direct rail connection to the Munich Airport makes it even easier to get to.

Oh, for sure, you’ll just be delighted to spend some time here and all the better if you’re here for one of the town’s festivals.

Since Gilching was once on the Roman Road, the Via Julia, you’ll find a large milestone marker which was on the road from Augsburg to Salzburg. There’s also the Peace Stake by the Japanese philosopher and poet, Masahisa Goi. A few are found throughout the world with just a simple message: let there be peace on Earth. :-)

Peace on Earth is generally one of the messages of churches and there are two here that are worth a look. The St. Vitus Church has the oldest existing bell in all of Bavaria (and the third oldest in all of Germany), it dates to the late 1100’s. The St. Johannes Kirche on Karolinger Straße, has this remarkably steep black tower roof and is just a wonderful piece of architecture.

With amazing churches like these around town it’s not hard to imagine that Joseph Ratzinger, who went on to become the current Pope Benedict XVI, might have found religious inspiration while working in Gilching in 1944 as a local switchboard operator.

You might find a different inspiration when you join citizens at the annual Gilchinger Folk Festival on the Festplatz. Or, maybe some great Italian food at Gilching’s Italian Week at the Market Place celebrating Cecina, Gilching’s twin city in June.

Every March folks come and “compete” at what could be considered a live Gilchingen Trivial Pursuit (or Quizzo). It’ll give you the chance to stretch your intellectual muscles on art, culture, politics, and sports. But, you won’t have to stretch them too far to realize that Gilching is one awesome place!

For the military enthusiast, the small Munster in the Heidekreis of Lower Saxony is the place for you, comprising some eight villages and municipalities.

More than 50% of the town is reserved for military use (including officer training), preserving its rural feel since industry here is regulated. Located on the River Oertze in the windy Lüneburg Heath, Munster is home to a German Army Garrison and because of it, it’s quite easy to get here with rail service from Hanover and Hamburg.

Long before the days of being an army installation, it was just a simple rural medieval village. It has a couple of medieval churches like the Urbani Church built in the 14th century. There’s also the Parish Church St. Martin, once an old sheep stable.

Besides, Munster has the privilege of boasting the only military church in all of Germany, the Parish Church Stefan (it is a United States military church).

No army town would be complete without a military museum, right? This town is no different. It’s got the Deutsches Panzermuseum (German Tank Museum) with exhibits on military helmets and one of two existing Sturmtiger (or Storm Tiger), a World War II German assault gun built on the Tiger VI tank.

Here’s where you’ll find exhibits on the history of German troops since 1917, including a replica of the A7V, the only German tank manufactured by Germany during the War. You’ll also see tanks from the Red Army, the British, and the United States from the days of the Second World War.

For some other kind of sightseeing you’ll find a few old Jewish cemeteries and cultural monuments of Jewish life in the region prior to the 1930’s.

Also a trip to the nearby Flüggenhofsee recreational lake (with beaches!) makes for a great sunny day.