You know you’re special when a king has built his vacation “summer residence” in your town. Such was the case with Edenkoben in the Palatinate.
The king, by the way, was King Ludwig I of Bavaria. His summer home is the Schloss Ludwigshöhe, a small castle compared to some other German castles.
Edenkoben isn’t a one castle town. Now in ruins, the Rietburg was built around the year 1200; and it seems like you can see forever from its high vantage point.
I’m not sure if the medieval lord of manor would like the annual Rietburg Mountain Run coming right by his place. He’d probably have thrown everyone in the dungeon. ;-)
I say, forget that — let’s get to Edenkoben’s wine. It’s all over the place since the town lies along the posh German Wine Route; and it’s home to the Museum of Viticulture and Urban History. Wine’s even a focus over at the Weingut Kloster Heilsbruck — a monastery that’s been around for just about 750 years.
Just as it isn’t a one castle town, Edenkoben isn’t a one crop town, either. Besides grapes, there are almonds and chestnuts and figs growing all over. Ahh, the wonders of the Palatinate Forest.
But, Edenkoben doesn’t hold a fig festival — it holds wine festivals. The Wine Festival in September is a biggie, as is the Wein- und Kastanienmarkt (Wine and Chestnut Market), and then there’s the Weinfete (and Medieval Market) in early June.
What’s even better about Edenkoben is that it doesn’t end with the wine. They’re a cultural bunch. Every year awards and scholarships are awarded at the Künstlerhaus Edenkoben to promote art and culture.
MyGermanCity promotes Germany and German culture — do you think I’ve got a chance to win? :-)
Ahh, too busy wandering around the rest of town (and country!) to notice that I didn’t win — so I’m heading off to see the Sieges- und Friedensdenkmal (Victory & Peace Monument). Every August there’s a Rock concert happening — a far cry from peace with all that noise. Go when it’s quiet to see the monuments frescoes.
While Edenkoben is a fit for a king, it’s loved by The Rest Of Us. Now pass the wine!
