Did you know that only here in Benningen am Neckar you can literally walk in the footsteps of the Romans? While it’s true that there are many Roman ruins, watchtowers, and what-not all over Germany — it is only here that a real Roman street can be found?
Hey, I didn’t say it, the folks in this town make that claim.
An actual Roman street isn’t the only Roman thing around here, ya know. Many years back a Jupiter column was found while doing construction on a new town building. With much love (and the work of local historians), the Jupitergigantensäule (Giant Jupiter Column, giant word…) was again standing tall over the town.
It’s not as if Benningen was just some jump-off point for the Romans, it was a town located on the Neckar-Odenwald Limes; the end of the Roman Empire. It took a lot to defend their territory, which might be why they built the Römerkastell in 85 A.D. A few centuries later the Roman “castle” was no more; not until parts of it were discovered in the 16th century. That’s a mighty long time.
FYI, if you go to Benningen’s Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum) some Roman artifacts are on permanent exhibition.
Somehow every time I think of Romans, wine comes to mind. But, it doesn’t hurt that Benningen is known for its viticulture — pretty vineyards that criss-cross the landscape, and why the town falls along the Württemberg Wine Road. Ahh, a delectable scenic route, if ever there was one.
I’m guessing the Romans would appreciate a good time, and I know you will too. Every two years Benningen holds its lively Street Festival (even numbered years); but every year there’s an Christmas Market, a Kirbe (always held the Sunday before November 11th), and the Fleckalauf where mountain runners vie for the fastest time.
That’s good for me. After that I’ll hit up one of the taverns. Prost to the Romans here in Benningen!
