Bad Wildungen sits in the middle of the Waldeck holiday region. It looks for all the world like a little innocent place, another postcard picture stop in Hesse. However, you may want to watch your attitude and mannerisms when you’re here!
Back in the day, Bad Wildungen had quite the reputation… for witch hunting! Nearly 5% of the townsfolk went on trial for witchcraft, and the ends weren’t pretty.
Funnily enough, the Hunting Museum in town is dedicated to regional game, totally ignoring the other hunting that went on here.
Thus, if you are visiting the town, it’s best to keep your witchy ways to yourself. Who knows when the next round of trials will be? Play it safe, though, and you’ll find that the town makes it easy for you to unwind and relax.
Quite a bit of this is helped out by the spa. Bad Wildungen is home to the largest water spa park in all of Europe. It’s so popular for its treatments that 1.4 million people visit it annually. They claim to have a treatment for almost anything that ails you.
Another aspect of the natural healing is the area itself. The Wilde and Eder rivers, coupled with the Edersee reservoir and surrounded by hills, make for great hiking and biking. You can explore miles of trails or play water sports at the reservoir.
Back in town, you may want to check out some of the Baroque homes and the multi-generational choir. You can also relax with one of the local delicacies, the Schepperlinge. It’s a special kind of potato pancake. Be sure to order it with bacon, onions, and black coffee to really get the local effect.
You can pick up Schepperlinge and the regional treat, Alte Worscht, at the weekly farmers markets. If you are there in July, you can use the market as a source for snacks to take to the jazz festival performances held each year.
September also bring performances, but check to see if it is the year for the flower parade or the samba show before you head out for the evening!