There aren’t a lot of little villages that make up Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, just the combining of two fishing and farming towns in the Upper Rhine Valley. The town of Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen is a charming suburb of the city of Karlsruhe (only about 15 km or 7 miles north of the city center) and borders the famous River Rhine.
Because the town is so close to Karlsruhe, it’s convenient to enjoy all of its wonderful sites and festivals. For instance, the Karlsruhe Palace is just magnificent and the Botanical Gardens are a delight! You’ll also have a choice location to be near a three day festival in July, simply known as Das Fest.
Leopoldshafen’s local history museum, housed in one of the town’s old half timbered buildings, is filled with exhibits of life here at the turn of the 20th century (and that’s just on the first floor). You’ll be more than pleasantly surprised by what else you’ll find out about Leopoldshafen’s history here. When you’re done, catch a ride on one of the old ferries on the Rhine since, again, the town sits right on the river.
After Leopoldshafen get over to Eggenstein, a town that’s been around for “only” about 12 centuries. Although, Eggenstein didn’t come into its own until a few hundred years later when the Monastery Gotesaue was built. This historic monastery survived almost 800 years until it was partly destroyed by Allied bombing in 1944. It was restored a few decades later and is now part of the Karlsruhe University (talk about a history lesson).
Not as old as Gotesaue (but, beautiful nonetheless), is the Parish Church Vitus & Modestus which was built sometime around the turn of the 16th century. You will have to get pictures of only the outside as this beautiful church isn’t open for sightseeing.
But, everyone can get in on the Kirchweih (also called Kirchtag), traditionally a celebration of the consecration of a church, traditionally held every year in October. But, here in Eggenstein-Leopolshafen you can celebrate twice since Leopoldshafen holds their’s a week after Eggenstein. ;-)
After celebrating church-style, head on over to the local brewery Andreasbräu for, if you dare, a Red Dragon brew!
Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen’s history and culture will make for quite a memorable trip. The great local brew is just icing on the cake.
