Color me different, as while I’m a huge history buff; I think more in terms of history than just wars and battle dates — although the town of Beilstein has seen its fair share during the Thirty Years’ War and Nine Years War (just to name a few). No, I prefer to think about how people lived, not how war and famine and plague ravaged a town.
Ohh, that seems like a bit harsh of a start here in Beilstein. And this graceful town on the Württemberger Weinstraße is anything but harsh. It’s quiet and simple, a place that holds an annual Wine Festival at the end of every July. It’s a place where rolling hills are decorated with Riesling grapes when the Bottswartal Marathon runners come barreling through.
What really impresses me is how these runners don’t just stop dead to stare at Burg Hohenbeilstein. Really, how do you not just totally stop what you’re doing to gape at an 11th century castle?
Hmm, I guess that’s dedication.
Speaking of dedication, I’m totally dedicated on telling you about the Hohenbeilstein Castle. Its origins date back to the year 1080, making it just shy of a good thousand years old. Much of what you see comes from around the 13th/14th century, which is amazing since the castle was destroyed some 500 years ago. Parts of it were rebuilt; and turned into a restaurant for your enjoyment.
Medieval castles and food… I’m so giddy with happiness I might just run a marathon. ;-)
Who am I kidding, that’s not happening. I’d miss out on the rest of Beilstein’s twelve districts, not getting to see the Anna Kirche (1470), its half-timbered Town Hall, the 17th century wine press, or its Magdalene Church that’s not a Romanesque church anymore — but a youth hostel.
Oh goody, you’ll need a place to stay if you’re going to tackle any one of Beilstein’s sixteen hiking and biking trails.
I’m just glad I got to see where folks live and lived in Beilstein — in between glasses of wine that is. ;-)
