Right bank. Left bank. Whatever bank, I don’t care what side of the river a town falls on.
I’m not saying it to be sarcastic, but really, all you need to know is the town of Ertingen lies along the Danube River. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt Ertingen lies along the Upper Swabian Baroque Route either. Right?
Since I mentioned the scenic route first, it would be only right to mention the town’s Marienkapelle — as that’s the reason the place lies along this magnificent route. If you have the time, then a visit to the Kloster Heiligkreuztal (founded in 1227) to see its elaborate stained glass would be a great idea.
However, if you’re looking to go further back in German history, then you’ll want to see Burg Ertingen. Ugh, I take that back, as nothing remains of this 12th century castle. The same fate befell Burg Hailtingen, as well.
It’s possible to go even further back into history, since you’re really close to the Heuneburg. These reconstructed Celtic homes brings to life what it was like to live around here around 8,000 years ago. A few centuries after the Celts where here, the Romans called this place home; and they, too, left their mark on the town — as the village of Erisdorf has its own Villa Rustica.
No wonder so many Swabian poets were inspired to write; Michel Buck being one of ’em. Not only was he a famous Swabian poet, but he was a doctor and historian, too. Seems only right to have a Literary Museum in the town where he was born.
You might be inspired to write, paint, sculpt, or do anything else creative after traveling the Danube Bike Path, or trekking in the Upper Danube Nature Park. Hey, I was inspired to write this, wasn’t I? Except, I’m not anywhere as talented as Doc Buck.
Oh well, I guess I’ll have to drown out my pitiful writing skills at one of Ertingen’s festivals. A good German wine, some great music, and cheerful laughter is all that’s needed to make anyone feel better — so the Weinfest seems like the best choice to accomplish all that.
Come to think of it, maybe it is important to know why it’s important to know which bank of the Danube this town is; otherwise how else will you find all this Swabian goodness? ;-)
