There’s always something that strikes me about each and every town and city in Germany.
In the case of Eppertshausen, it’s the fact that this whole area was once covered by an ocean, its 10th century name was Ecgiharteshuson (yeah, trying saying that fast a few times), and it’s got a cool American Sports Bar.
That’s it, nothing more. Just a couple of interesting facts, huh? ;-)
Thankfully Eppertshausen isn’t at the bottom of an ocean anymore (and a whole lot easier to pronounce), we get to enjoy its pretty Hessian countryside, located just north of the Odenwald, within the larger Upper Rhine Valley.
Its water days aren’t totally over, though. It has a lake, which is a nature reserve area — just perfect for leisurely strolls or more intense hikes.
The question is, how does anyone have any time to do anything in Eppertshausen, considering that every time you turn around there’s a festival or cultural event going on?
I’m not even exaggerating this time (I swear), they’ve got the Spring Festival in April; May Day (May 1st); the Summer Festival (also in May); the Corpus Christi Procession; and both a Summer Festival and Champagne Festival in August; ending the year with the Christmas Market in December.
Wait a second… it doesn’t end there. I forgot about the Fisherman’s Festival in July, events like “Italian Evenings,” and all the garden parties.
Isn’t it idyllic here? Yeah, I think so, too.
And if you like some history thrown in with your nature adventures and party-going, Eppertshausen has that covered.
The youngest of its churches is its Evangelical Church, because the region was predominantly Catholic until the 20th century. The town’s Pfarrkirche (Parish Church) is a pretty Baroque Roman Catholic one; while its oldest one is the Valentinuskapelle — a chapel built in 1440 that used to be a popular pilgrimage site.
Still, that’s not the oldest thing in town. That’s probably the nearby Castle Babenhausen, a 12th century Hohenstaufen Castle. Told ya there was some history thrown into the mix.
If you’re willing to travel just a few minutes further, you’ll find something even older than a medieval castle. Eppertshausen is real close to the Messel Fossils and Folk Museum. The building itself isn’t that old (built 1785), it’s what you’ll find inside that’s older than the Middle Ages.
That’s a whole lot of stuff to find within thirteen square kilometers, isn’t it? So, if you find yourself in neighboring Darmstadt, remember Eppertshausen. I truly believe you’ll like it here.
