Veitsbronn in Middle Franconia bears a holy spirit. It got its name from the Holy Vitus (Veit in German) and the gushing spring (Bronn -> Brunnen) at the foothills of the nearby Kirchberg (Church Hill).

There isn’t a whole lot going on, the place is only 16.2 square kilometers, after all. But, I think you’ll like what’s there.

There are two parts of Veitsbronn — the town itself, which is made up of seven districts, and the Collective Municipality of Veitsbronn that includes the town of Seukendorf.

Seukendorf, BTW, is mostly known for its 14th century St. Catherine Church, and its 18th century Baroque guesthouse.

Over in Retzelfembach you’ll see that meandering Zenn River (at some points its banks are so close together you could almost jump it), as well as an annual Kirchweih (Church Fair) every July.

In case you miss that one, there’s another Church Fair over in the village of Siegelsdorf. Nothing says drinking more than a festival — so that reminds me to tell you about the old Tavern from 1717 in Bernbach.

After going to see the 18th century barn in Hiltmannsdorf; the old 18th century Mill in Kohlersmühle; and the Mill Pond in Erzleitenmühle — you can go see the nearby former Augustinian Monastery in neighboring Langenzenn.

I know it isn’t officially part of Veitsbronn, but its summertime theater programs are definitely worth an honorable mention.

While you’re off enjoying Veitsbronn, I’m going to find some other holy places we can include here at MyGermanCity.com. :-)

Welcome to the southernmost town in all of Saxony, Bad Brambach. Who knew what wonders were hidden within a town of just over 2,000 people, bordering the Czech Republic? I did, and I’m excited to tell you all the marvelous things Bad Brambach has to offer.

As its name implies, it’s a spa town — filled with oh-so-good-for-you mineral water. Bad Brambach’s spa is set a constant 32°C, but what’s even better are the hut-like saunas & steam baths. Certain times of the year the spa offers Midnight Saunas, where you can sweat while you’re burning the midnight oil.

It’s probably best to enjoy the rest of Bad Brambach in the daylight hours; how else are you going to appreciate the wonderful Vogtland countryside if you can’t see it? There are an umpteen number of hiking, biking, mountain biking, and Nordic Walking trails to traverse — and you’ll find guided hikes available if you’re so inclined.

I like the hike that’ll take you to the source of the Weißen Elster river, but then again, the winter hikes are just divine. Oh, don’t complain about the cold weather, it’s nothing a warm jacket couldn’t fix. ;-)

The best place for most information regarding what else there is to see and do in Bad Brambach is at the Tourist Office. Located at Badstraße 47, the folks here can arrange those guided walking tours, help with bicycle rentals, or just about anything else a guest of the city might need.

They’ll most likely suggest a visit to Bad Brambach’s Local History Museum, as well as tell you Schloss Schönberg is a must-see. What’s nice about this castle is its also a venue for many concerts, as well has having beautiful murals to see. Not bad for what started out as an austere medieval castle.

Bad Brambach’s other must-see is the Klein Vogtland, a small-scale museum with exhibits detailing the best of what you’ll find within the Vogtland. Within the Klein Vogtland complex is a Botanical Garden, which kind of explains why this sorta museum is only open from April to October.

As if all these goodies found within Bad Brambach aren’t enough, the town hosts wonderful festivals and markets. The crisp cold air of November and December fits nicely with the annual Christmas Market — but the warmer weather is what you’ll find for Walkingtag (Walking Day) in May, and the Lampionfest always held on the last weekend of August.

I certainly was excited to tell you all about Bad Brambach — and it just makes me want to revisit it all over again.

What’s great about Dornhan is that besides being close to the former Benedictine Monastery (built in 1095) and its Klosterbräu, is that it’s near three castles. Sorry, it’s located near what used to be three castles. ;-)

The most famous is probably Burg Lichtenfels, a castle that’s been in ruins longer than it stood. How do I know? Um, it was built around the year 1100 — and totally destroyed in the 1400s; that’s only 300 years. Still, a formidable castle of its day.

Burg Brandeck is also in ruins, thought to have been built a century before Lichtenfels. It towers above the countryside at 640 meters above sea level — offering a great view for anyone interested.

The last castle in the area is Burg Leinstetten, the youngest of Dornhan’s three castles — constructed around 1298. This castle has been around the longest, as it was here until 1838.

Your time here in Dornhan doesn’t end when you’re done with the ruins. You should stick around for one of its six annual Markets, like the one on Whit Monday. Of course, Germany’s Christmas Markets are world famous — and the ones held in places like Dornhan are the reason why.

The rest of Dornhan is dotted with little chapels and medieval churches, like St. Conrad’s that been a staple around here since 1089; and the (now) Evangelical Church of St. Mary that’s located along Dornhan’s Stadtmauer.

That’s not entirely true, the rest of Dornhan has also got recreational areas, such as its swimming pool (with beach volleyball court), playgrounds, hiking & biking trails, golfing, tennis courts, and cross-country ski trails, and outdoor concerts.

Ahhh, deep breath — that was a lot, wasn’t it?

To enjoy the outside and the historical, take a walk over by the Marschalkenzimmern, they used to be the gallows, by the way. There’s a memorial cross that commemorates the Battle of Leinstetten, where two Dukes decided to fight it out in 1298.

All this makes me hungry, so off to the Weekly Market (Wednesdays 9am-1pm) for something to nibble on. I’m so glad I decided to take a trek away from Alpirsbach — I wonder what I’ll find next.

It’s been said that the town of Dohna is the second oldest town in all of Saxony, dating back to the 16th century B.C. I don’t really know if its true — but considering Germany’s penchant for sticking to details, I’m pretty sure that’s probably correct.

Whether it is, or isn’t, it doesn’t change the fact that present-day Dohna is a pretty wonderful town.

It used to be a real flurry of activity back in the Middle Ages when it sat in the middle of some trade routes like the Bohemian Road. It still is a flurry of activity, of a different kind now — hikers and bikers looking to enjoy the scenery of the Müglitztal, following all the Müglitz River (a tributary of the Elbe, if you’re curious). Someone once said it was “the most beautiful valley in Saxony,” but since it was a Saxon King — I think he was a bit jaded. ;-)

Nah, I could see why someone would say that — especially around areas like the villages of Borthen, which is known for its fruit growing. Delicious strawberries, cherries, plums, and pears await. And it seems like just the right place for the Apple Blossom Festival every May, doesn’t it?

There are eleven other villages to Dohna, each with their own things to see and do. History lovers might want to head to Röhrsdorf, a village that shares its name with an 18th century castle. There’s also a church here that goes all the way back to 1500 — but the most famous church in Dohna is the Church of St. Mary Dohna, built in 1489.

And the Burg Dohna is the most famous castle in the region. With good reason, it’s been around since 950 A.D. Wait, that makes it sound like the castle’s still intact — but in reality only its wall remains of the castle that Otto I built.

A lot of Dohna’s history can be learned at the Local History Museum, housed in the Alte Apotheke (Old Pharmacy), a building historical in itself — built in 1690.

You know, that Saxon King was on to something. The Müglitztal really is a beautiful part of Saxony (Saxon Switzerland, to be more exact), but most likely because of places like Dohna.

Well, it’s another banner week in Upper Bavaria — this time to the town of Emmering in the Fürstenfeldbruck District, just 25km to the west of Munich. For all purposes, that makes it a suburb of the Oktoberfest having city, doesn’t it?

Nonetheless, Emmering can stand on its own — it doesn’t need its hand held by Munich. For the most part, Emmering is just a quiet town, but it wasn’t always that way. Back in 1422 the Battle of Alling took place here; a skirmish between two Dukes “duking” it out — Ludwig VII from Bavaria/Ingolstadt and the Duke of Bayern-München.

I don’t know who won (if you find out, let me know), but what I do know that modern day Emmering has its fair share of farmhouses (like the 19th century one at Bruckstraße 10), both 19th and 20th century villas, and a fantastically simple Gothic chapel of St. George.

The chapel, built in 1400, was said to have had an underground passage to the Kloster Fürstenfeld. Which, by the way, is a must-see when you’re in this neck of the woods. The monastery was built back in the Middle Ages in 1263 and was used right up to 1803. The Klosterkirche (Monastery Church) of St. Maria is striking with its German Baroque design — which means every inch of the church is painted/decorated with glittering gold, pretty pinks, gorgeous greens, and beautiful blues.

Sorry, I must’ve had one too many of the local König Ludwig Weissbiers. ;-)

Now that I think about it, the Emmeringer See is just the place to enjoy one of those too. Wait for the end of the day when the setting sun casts a golden glow across the lake. All the better to scope out the 13 Bronze Age graves during the daytime, don’t ya think?

Oh yeah, and to see the Burgstall Roggenstein, a former hilltop medieval castle. The old girl might be gone now, but you can still see the outline of its old moat.

FYI, if you’re wondering, Roggenstein is one of Emmering’s villages.

The rest of your time in Emmering can be spent visiting its ice cream shop, its many taverns and cafes, and enjoying one of the Beer Garden Concerts or Nordic Walking Tours.

See, didn’t I tell you Emmering could handle itself with Munich — it might even make you forget about its Oktoberfest for a minute there. ;-)

Liebenbachstadt Spangenberg is one Hessian town with a heart as big as its name. You’ll find its twelve districts (with totally German names like Bergheim, Bischofferode, Landefeld — you get the drift) just 35 km southeast of Kassel.

You’ll also find it along a couple of scenic routes. Not the typically famous ones (yet), but, for instance, along a 23km section of the 326 km long Barbarossaweg (yeah, an uber hiking trail), running from Melsungen to Reichenbach (part of Hessisch Lichtenau). It also has a place of honor along the Kunstwanderweg, which is dedicated entirely to art and sculpture.

Before rushing off to tackle anymore of Barbarossa’s Trail, or finding art along the Kunstwanderweg, you should get to know Spangenberg a bit better.

Would you stay longer if I told you there were a number of gorgeous half-timbered houses found in its Altstadt, or Old Town? Or what about a castle? Of course you would, how silly of me. Schloss Spangenberg has been around a long time, 1235 to be exact. Although its current look didn’t come along for another few centuries after that — all thanks to Wilhelm the Wise.

Wise he was in decorating Spangenberg’s landmark. This old hunting lodge has been used for a number of things, including a prison and school. Today it houses Spangenberg’s Castle Museum.

A hundred years after the castle was built, Spangenberg’s Hospital & Church of St. Elisabeth was built (1338); and it’s still here almost 700 years later. The old Carmelite Monastery wasn’t so lucky — built in 1357, only to be closed forever in 1526.

What else can we find in Spangenberg? You’ll find a former synagogue, as well as an old Jewish cemetery. And the Stadtkirche St. Johannes, built and renovated throughout the 13th to 15th centuries.

The only thing left to do is shop at Spangenberg’s Kellermarkt in November, and the Advent Market (right on the Marktplatz to make it easy) on the first weekend of Advent.

I can tell you that’ll be easy to get distracted along the Marktplatz, as the local Town Hall is so prettily decorated with its flowerboxes, and here’s where you’ll find the Marktplatzbrunnen (fountain).

Yeah, Spangenberg, Liebenbachstadt, truly does have a heart as big as itself. Come see for yourself!

Bah, writer’s block again. This blank page stares back at me, all the while as I’m trying to find the right words about the town of Muggensturm. Which, by the way, is only a stone’s throw from the French border.

To the outside world, you’d think that there isn’t much going on in Muggensturm — hence, the whole problem of trying to write about it. Yet, that’s not it.

It’s just… how do you manage to explain to someone about its annual Volks & Heimatfest that takes place every July that attracts thousands upon thousands of people from all around? Oh, I guess someone already did since Muggensturm’s motto is, Family Friendly & Tradition Conscious.

Oh, isn’t that a nice way to say that Muggensturm doesn’t have just one festival a year? Heck no, Muggensturm’s a party girl with the Kelterfest, Fisherman’s Festival, and Harvest Festival just in the month of September alone. October’s a good month, too, as that’s when the Palatinate Wine Festival takes place, followed by Advent & Winter Celebrations the rest of the year.

And how do you try to put into words about the Kaltenbachsee, a swimming area that’s enjoyed by both the young and old, families and single people? So what if you can’t swim? Don’t sweat… there are plenty of hiking and bike trails running alongside. For the truly adventurous, there’s even a spot to rent surfboards.

History and architecture enthusiasts will love being here, too. No more so than at the 13th century Chapel of St. Margaret. Though not as old, the Pfarramt Maria Königin der Engel is still a pretty enough church with its clock tower, tall spire, and arched windows.

Without a doubt, the best part of Muggensturm really is its countryside. Located in the Upper Rhine Valley, and on the foothills of the Black Forest no less, the outdoor recreation is first-rate.

Your choice if you want to get in some tennis, play miniature golf, or just wander about the Leisure Center with its sheep and goats. Cheers to you if you can manage to do it all. ;-)

Look at that, the page on Muggensturm isn’t blank anymore. With that out of the way, I wonder what else I’ll manage to find around here…

Lovely, thanks to some bureaucrat the town of Mudersbach in Rhineland-Palatinate actually belongs to the Collective Municipality of Kirchen (Sieg). Yeah, try finding that on a map. ;-)

Whatever and wherever it is (hint: Westerwald) doesn’t change the fact that Mudersbach is really three villages that borders North Rhine-Westphalia. And it doesn’t change the fact that if you’re a true nature lover, you’ll have a grand time of it here.

All sorts of cycle and hiking paths criss-cross all over the place. Some routes aren’t very long, like the Asdorftalradweg (a bike route) that’s just 11.8 km long. The Siegtalradweg (another biking route) is much longer, 140 km throughout the region. If one’s too short, the other’s too long — take the Sauerland Radring at 83 km.

What’s even better is Mudersbach lies close to the Atta Höhle, or the Atta Cave, in nearby Attendorn, which is also known as Attendorner Tropfsteinhöhle. Just wonderful to explore if you’re into the whole cave exploration thing.

Like the natural side of things but don’t want to head into a cave? Okay, no judgement, perhaps you’d like to see the nearby Druidenstein. Besides being a natural lava rock formation, it’s steeped in legend; and said to be the sacrificial site of “noble virgins.”

Um, yeah. I’m not even gonna say anything sarcastic on that one — I’ll leave it to you… ;-)

I’ll just head right on over to the Mariengrotte instead, put here back in 1844. And I’ll make sure to tell you about the Schinder Pond, a swimming area that’s been used for outdoor recreation from as far back as 1742.

Mining in the area goes way back further than that; and the Slate Mine Mudersbach (Schieferstollen) has tours that’ll tell you all about it. It’s cool down there — just 8 degrees Celsius.

What’s even better is Mudersbach is close to a few castles. Wildenburg is one from 1230, with a 20-meter high keep. And Burg Freusberg is just slightly younger, built in 1247. Castle Friedewald is another one of those feats of medieval German engineering, too.

Speaking of the Middle Ages, the church in the village of Friesenhagen might be Baroque these days, but it started off as a medieval one back in 1131.

It might appear there wasn’t a lot to celebrate back then — so let’s be happy we’re here now. This way we can party at Mudersbach’s Hüttenfest in July, its Mudersbach Kirmes in October, and its Fall Festival in September.

Ahh, that was a tad out of order, wasn’t it?

Who cares — if some bureaucrat can change the name of Mudersbach, I can be given some creative license, can’t I? ;-)

A number of years ago on American Television was a game show for kids called, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. So often I feel like Fräulein Carmen, except my program should be, Where in Germany Is Marcus Hochstadt and his Trusty Staff. I won’t however, make you guess clues — or play a silly game — the answer is Murr in Baden-Württemberg, along a river of the same name & pretty close to the Neckar.

It’s not unchartered territory, thousands of people live here now; and all sorts of big names in history have lived here at one point or another — Neolithic guys, Bronze and Iron Age folks, and even the Romans. I can only think that they just love the Swabian-Franconian Forest; or the great soil that’s perfect for viticulture.

Speaking of wine, there’s a lot of going on here in Murr. Wine tastings and wineries, all perfect to pair up with some scrumptious Swabian fare. No need to worry about your waistline, eat up — then go jump into the Mineralfreibad (with wave pool), play some tennis, do the hiking trails, and end with a tootsie soak at the Kneipp facility.

Still, as wonderful as all this is — it was Murr’s Village Church of St. Peter (b. 14th/15th century) that totally stood out in my head. Its wide tower and off-white walls under a dark stormy sky, framed by bright white houses managed to make me even speechless.

I also found that Murr is the perfect location for exploring around the region. Make Murr your base as you go see neighboring Benningen’s Jupiter Column; the Schiller National Museum & German Literature Archives in Marbach; and medieval Kloster in Steinheim.

You should know by now that a place like this is going to have a castle. You’re not all that far from Burg Lichtenberg. Cool, time to raid (I mean, visit) a medieval castle. Who’s with me?

I guess if I’m going to plunder a castle, the new name of the game would be: Where in Germany is not Marcus Hochstadt… ;-)

There wasn’t any inclination of what I was going to find on my epic quest to detail and write about each and every German town and village. What I do know is that if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t find places like Neuffen (and you likely too).

Located just 28km southeast of Stuttgart and 9km east of Metzingen (yup, the Outlet City), most little towns and villages like this one often get overlooked by its bigger or better known cousins. Not this time, Baby. Not this time.

And what’s even better is that Neuffen is located within the Biosphere Reserve Swabian Alb. This simply means the scenery is terrific on just about any hiking and biking trail you’ll find.

You will also find castle ruins. The ruins of Hohenneuffen are here, a castle built around the middle of the 1100s, and rebuilt before succumbing to the ravages of time. The vistas from atop are stunning, no less.

And if you think the ruins are old, try to imagine the original 6th century Church of St. Martin that stood on the spot where the present church is now. The 14th century church was damaged by a fire in the 1634, but the 1504 Mt. of Olives artwork was spared.

Throughout Neuffen you’ll find all kinds of architectural gems. The Große Haus, a Noble’s house, is from around 1270; and the medieval Town Square even has its own half-timbered Town Hall.

It isn’t all serious architecture around here, in case you’re wondering. Neuffen knows how to let its hair down for a good time. The Krämermarkt kicks off twice a year in March and November; the City Festival goes on the third weekend of August, followed by the Crafts Market at the end of the month; and preceded by the Rockheads Festival at the beginning.

The annual Wine Festival in September is one event that’s widely anticipated, as is the Christmas Market in December.

In between events like these, and those like the Festival of Lights (November), be sure to walk along the medieval Stadtmauer with its gates like the Ludwigstörle; and a visit to the Deutsche Ordernmuseum.

Talk about an epic quest — I’d say Neuffen is epic all in itself. Don’t you agree?