Kappel-Grafenhausen — A Beauty Full Of Birds And Orchids

Along the Rhine, and close to the French border, lies the combined towns of Kappel-Grafenhausen. I found it to be a beautiful place where you’ll want to spend just about every waking hour outdoors.

Ok, not all of Kappel-Grafenhausen is meant to be enjoyed outside, as how else are you going to see the gorgeous church of Saints Cyprian & Justin (built 1737)? You can’t miss its onion dome, and its grand beauty belies its destruction during World War II.

Also the Church of St. James comes from around the same time (all right, it was built 50 years later), and its Baroque beauty offers a dainty clock tower.

Last, but not least, for any indoor enjoyment — head to the Old Mill in Grafenhausen proper that’s now a museum.

Oops, I was about to forget telling you about the model of a local Celtic grave found nearby at Kappel’s Rathaus (Town Hall). Plus, the Town Hall itself is a beautiful building you’ll want to take home.

All right, now we’re “done” with the indoorsy stuff — it’s off to the 1,600 hectares Taubergießen Nature Reserve. Bird lovers will no doubt be in Heaven here, as some 200 species call it home. Plus, the orchids that grow here are simply stunning. Some call this area “Europe’s Last Jungle Paradise.”

Kappel-Grafenhausen also lies around an “unincorporated” area of the Rheinau — and there are some lovely hiking trails to be found around here. Don’t worry, they aren’t too arduous with a 2km Butterfly Trail and a 6.5km trail known as the Orchideenweg.

I’m sure my nice friends at the Tourist Offices (yes, there are two) can give you a much better idea of what’s to see around their town, so please visit them first before running around town on your own.

Better yet, let them tell you all about their cultural events held throughout the year. So far I’ve managed to find out about the Carnival Events, the Spring Concerts & Spring Festival, the Summer Festival, Oktoberfest, and the Advent Market.

And for some silly fun for the whole family come to Funny World. It’s a small amusement park for little kids, and kids at heart, in Kappel. It’s a good way to spend time as a family for some wholesome fun. If you want to venture out a bit, the huge Europa-Park is only some 5km away.

Didn’t I tell you this was a great place to spend outside? There’s no way I could truly describe Kappel-Grafenhausen’s scenic beauty — but I believe once you see it you’ll fall in love with it as I have. Good thing there are a good number of guesthouses and inns around town to spend a few nights because you’re gonna want to stay.

Too bad for me I can’t stick around any longer, but I’ll be back — sooner rather than later. ;-)

 

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