I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Humphhh, then maybe the residents of Kriftel could be the healthiest people in all of Germany, since many apples are grown in this region of Hesse between Frankfurt and Wiesbaden.
They might also be the most amorous, since strawberries are grown here, too. What? Yeah, lots of folks think champagne and strawberries are romantic. The Bloom Celebration (ohhh, flowers, the way to any woman’s heart) can be romantic, as is a stop over at the town’s Fertility Symbol Fountain.
I don’t think romance was on the brain of St. Boniface who came to Kriftel for the night in July 754 A.D. A chapel was built to commemorate his stay, but it was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War and wasn’t rebuilt until 1755. That’s a mighty long time to rebuild ’cause the war was from 1618-1648.
That’s not the end to Boniface’s chapel. No, it was moved by residents in 1959 because of urban sprawl. Poor Boniface; but, at least they didn’t demolish his chapel. ;-)
I would bet money that all those fresh fruits helped build a lean mean Olympic fighting machine, though. Kriftel is home to 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist Christian Reitz.
In addition to fruits and medalists, Kriftel has an awesome recreational park and outdoor swimming pool. Within both complexes, you can play miniature golf, go inline skating, play on three beach volleyball courts, two football fields (soccer for you folks from the U.S.), and a chance for the kids to feed the ducks.
There’s not much romance to be found over at the obligatory Christmas Market. But, if you buy your better half the right gift here, ya never know what could happen!
With all the healthy fruits and a town that’s ripe for romance — you really can keep the doctor away; and not have to ask them for those famous little blue pills. ;-)
