Ooh, I’m in Bavaria. Nope, I’m in Austria. Back in Bavaria. Nah, back to Austria. Seasick yet? Don’t be — I’ll stop. Let’s spend some precious time in the Bavarian town of Laufen.
Not to be confused with Laufen in Switzerland, BTW. ;-)
Switzerland? Then, what’s up with the Austrian part of this?
Simply explained. This Laufen lies right on the border of Austria — which you can see if you cross the Salzachbrücke.
The bridge itself is a piece of art, a pretty piece of decoration that crosses the Salzach River.
Many of the buildings around the Marktplatz in the Old Town are in the Inn-Salzach architectural style, so they’re pretty pieces of decoration themselves. You’ll know you’ve crossed into the Altstadt when you’ve walked under either the Lower or Upper Gates — which is where you’ll find the town’s 13th century Stadtmauer, or defense wall.
Ahh, the Middle Ages — where do we go from there? Yes, the Stiftskirche’s Gothic Hall. Take a Night Watchman tour to see this side of Laufen.
Want a castle instead? OK, you can do that — so off to the 16th century Schloss Triebenbach you go. It’s said that Mozart himself was a guest at this castle.
OK, follow my trail of thinking here for a minute. Mozart equals music. Music equals party. Party equals festival. Great, now you know how my brain works. ;-)
So, this brings me to Laufen’s festivals. Laufen’s two Wine Festivals are quite popular. If you can’t make the one in May, you’ve always got the one in August.
August is also the month for the Chapel Festival; followed by the Fair Week in September.
And there are two Christmas Markets in December, as well as an Advent Market and a Winter Festival. Always good for some mulled wine and shopping. Plus, in July Laufen hosts Village Festival (Dorffest), a Summer Festival, and the Salzach River Festival.
Wow, we haven’t even gotten to the Bavarian Alps yet. Hiking is in order here, I’d say. Of course you could always try some winter sport like winter hiking, if you prefer the weather colder.
I do, but Laufen is so wonderful I’ll take it any way I can get it. :-)
