Haven’t we gone through this once before? Didn’t I say I wanted no part of anything with the word “diet” in it? Good thing I don’t always listen to myself, otherwise I’d have missed out on seeing Dietfurt an der Altmühl in the Upper Palatinate.
And it’s a nice place to learn all about China.
China? Have I turned this into a Chinese website? No, but in the Town Hall there’s a huge exhibition on all things Chinese. Come the Monday before Carnival, experience a big Chinese Carnival. A fun way to bring some cheer into a cold winter day.
Any season is a good season to walk around Dietfurt, a town within the Altmühltal Nature Park. Guided hikes are available if you want someone to show you around, but going solo is just as good — so long as you’re going to the Schönblick lookout point.
Too bad you can’t get into the Mühlbachquellhöhle, a cave system that’s got some 15 boards full of information on the sub-surface network.
And whether you’ve dragged a guide along, or you’re on your own — make sure you come to see Schloss Wildenstein, a castle from the 16th century. And be sure you come to see the old Franciscan Monastery with its very famous Baroque church. Within the monastery’s grotto is the St. Anthony Fountain, dedicated to Saint Anthony — of course.
Dietfurt isn’t without its museums, either. A Local History Museum will fill you in on the (duh) history of the town, while the Mill Museum highlights the inner workings of this 500+ year old building.
Even something so simple as a stroll around town is charming enough. Some other fountains to look for would be the Ammonite Fountain, and the Fountain at the Schauerturm. This last one (a tower) comes from around 1444, built along the old town wall. Just so you know, six of the original 10 towers remain, like the Bettelvogtturm.
If a “diet” is this rewarding, I’ll take Dietfurt any day of the week. Even better if I can still get into my jeans at the end of it all.
Ohh, with all the hiking… they’re even a little loose! ;-)
