History? Prehistory? What the hell (excuse me, heck) is the gosh-darn difference?
The start of my tirade started at the beginning of quest around the primeval town of Herbertingen. Sounds simple enough, a German town in the Schwarzachtal region, on the edge of the beloved Swabian Alb and in the Upper Danube Nature Park, right? Ha-ha, no.
Wait, let me start from the beginning. I learned something about Herbertingen’s history going back some 2500 years. What? Please, Herbertingen lies right around the Heuneburg, a hilltop fort that dates back to the Bronze Age. Um, that’s like the 15th century B.C. Yup, that’s even more than mere 2500 years…
FYI, there’s a Heuneburg Museum which’ll tell (more like show) you what life was like back then. Uhh, pretty rough I’d say — no indoor plumbing.
And, there are a couple of Celtic burial graves around — which also date back to a few thousand years ago. Yes, I’m aware that’s “prehistoric,” but it’s historical nonetheless. By the way, it sure makes sense why the the town of Herbertingen holds an annual Celtic Festival, and why there’s a 8km Archaeological Trail in their honor. The latter is called Archäologischer Wanderweg and starts at the Heuneburgmuseum.
These days we like to think we’re a sophisticated lot — but prehistoric men and women knew a good thing when they saw it, which might explain why they stayed around here.
Hello, didn’t I already mention this is some very pretty German real estate? ;-)
Probably the best way to see it is along the Donau Radwanderweg, or Danube Cycle Trail, relaxing around the Schwarzachtal See — where you can also fish or swim — or travel around on the 7-Kapellenweg, the Seven Chapels Route.
Oh c’mon, you didn’t think I was gonna go one webpage without mentioning an old church, did you? In this case, its two of ’em — the Chapel of St. Nicholas (built 1795), and the Church of Sts. Peter & Paul, known for its gorgeous Rococo Pieta even though the church is much older than you’d think.
There’s also no way I’m going to write a page without mentioning some of the other festivals Herbertingen hosts. Faire Woche, or Fair Week, is held in September — which is the same month as the Dorffest (Village Festival). There are two Wine Festivals in October, and both a Waldfest and Angerfest in July. The latter, by the way, coincides with an Arts & Crafts Market.
One of these fun festivals, or having some fun in the great outdoors, might not make history — but it sure will make some great memories. ;-)