I’m biased about Baden-Württemberg because of towns like Essingen (Württemberg). For real, who wouldn’t (couldn’t) love a town in the northern part of the Swabian Alb?
Show me someone who doesn’t love the Swabian Alb, and I’ll show you someone with ice water in their veins. ;-)
Inasmuch as the Alb is a big draw for coming to Essingen, so are the castles. Too bad you can’t see the inside of the Woellwarth’sche Schloss (what a name) that was built in 1555 — but you’re more than welcome to enjoy the Schlosspark.
The other castle around Essingen is the Burgruine Lauterburg, with a castle church no less. It was built way back in 1125, and stood until a fire destroyed it more than 600 years later.
The Upper Castle, or Schloss Dorotheenhof, isn’t any where near as old as the others. But, it is said to be older than its 1696 construction.
Castles don’t end here, you’ve got one more: Schloss Hohenroden that was built in 1293. Yes, I’m aware that its current structure isn’t from that period of the Middle Ages and that it doesn’t look like a castle, but it is one nonetheless.
A few of Essingen’s churches are also from the town’s medieval days. St. Quirinus Church might have started as a simple chapel (a Romanesque one), but it is believed a church has stood on this spot for more than thirteen centuries.
Over at the Church of St. Mary you’ll see paintings from the Gothic period, which are about 600 years old.
You realize this is a mere drip in time considering that the rock formations in the Felsenmeer and Wental are thousands and thousands of years older than anything built here in Essingen.
I dare you to hit up one of the many hiking trails through here, or along the Weiherwiesen (a nature reserve area), and tell me you don’t like it. Just remember to stop by the sorce of the Rems River — which eventually feeds the Neckar — and smattered by little bridges.
To hell with it… I’m in for the food. The Sausage Roasts and the Pretzel Festival (October) are a good start. And the Harvest Festival (Sept) and Fall Festival (Oct) are great for eating too.
Of course, the obligatory Christmas Market is great for mulled wine — and the Summer Festival (July) is fun too. Don’t let it be said that Germans don’t know to throw a good party. ;-)
For anyone who’s gonna whine about a few extra calories — I don’t wanna hear it. You could easily bike along the 59km Bicycle Trails, or try skiing in the winter.
Nevermind, I probably won’t hear you whining on the ski slopes anyway. ;-)
