Dude, it’s time to visit Dudenhofen.
Ha-ha, I crack myself up — but what isn’t funny is how delightful the place is. And you’d think being just three kilometers away from posh Speyer (it’s the next town over), they’d have some complex about its much more famous neighbor.
Not so, I tell you.
Interestingly enough, it’s a food that gets top billing around here, because Dudenhofen pays homage to the King’s Veggie. That’s right, Asparagus reigns supreme here in the Palatinate, too; and every May everyone joins a hike along the Spargelwanderung.
You’ll also find it all over menus in its restaurants, and there are even community Asparagus dinners.
There are other cultural events in Dudenhofen, like Maypole dancing (May 1st), and the Family Festival (also in May) — and April’s a really busy month for stuff to do. You’ve got the Spring Festival, the town’s Flohmarkt (Flea Market), and a Kerwe, too.
The fun doesn’t end here, ya know. Dudenhofen is part of a Collective Municipality, so you’ve got a few more towns where you can get into all the fun.
The town of Harthausen, for instance, also has its own Kerwe, held the second weekend of August. And it’s got the Tabakdorffest (Tobacco Village Festival), held the 3rd weekend of every September. It’s where you’re not expected to smoke, but you are expected to have a good time.
There is a “serious” side to Dudenhofen, too. No, make that a pious side — because there’s a really pretty Baroque village church dedicated to St. Martin (in Hanhofen), and you’ll find wonderful religious art in the Flurkapelle (from the 1850s), a 19th century Cemetery Chapel (with old tombs), and the St. Gangolf Church from the 1860s.
Oh, plus Dudenhofen is a stop along the Way of St. James, too.
Aaand the Holiday Park is also very close. ;-)
So, the next time you’re in Speyer — just remember, Dude we got to head on over to Dudenhofen, it’s delightful.
