In the northern Black Forest and along the Bertha Benz Memorial Route is the fantastic town of Königsbach-Stein. Now, Königsbach-Stein was actually two separate towns; and each has a good deal of sightseeing and festivals in their own right.
Many visitors to Königsbach come to see the old 19th century Jewish Cemetery with a memorial to victims of the Nazi regime. There’s also a gorgeous medieval Military Church in town.
For a beautiful example of framework architecture look no futher than the Old Town Hall, built in 1622. Königsbach has a castle, too, the Schloss Freiherren von Saint-Andre.
Stein is not to be outdone! Stein’s Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) is a hundred years older than her sister town, built in 1520. Stein also has something called the Viergötterstein, a Roman 4-God red sandstone relief dating back to around the 1st century!
There’s also the 15th century Stephanuskirche. Why go visit some medieval church? Because, they’re just about always filled with fantastic artwork of that time.
While Stein might not have a castle any longer, at least the 16th century castle tower, called the Storchenturm, still stands.
The village of Stein is home to the town’s Local History Museum (called Heimatmuseum), filled with costume, book, and Swabian Life exhibits. Plan your trip to coincide accordingly, it’s only open the 1st Sunday of the month (11am-4pm) at Marktplatz 12.
Königsbach-Stein’s Marktplatz is where many of the town’s festivals are held. Each town alternates for the annual Village Celebration in September and the Christmas Market on 1st Advent. Although Stein holds the annual Ritterspiele (Knights’ Play) in July. There’s also a cheerful Beer Celebration at the beginning of May.
These two villages, while almost identical, each complement each other quite nicely. So, if you can’t make one town’s festivals — you can at least enjoy the other’s.
Sounds just right to me! :-)
