First impressions mean a lot, but often they’re not always accurate. Such was my dilemma about the town of Löchgau; where my first thought was it was best to move on.
Had I done that, I would’ve missed out on a swell town with castle ruins, fun festivals, and the pretty Stromberg countryside.
The first thing you might notice about Löchgau is its historic Town Center. The old St. Peter’s Church has been here for the better part of eight hundred years, although the oldest parts you’re staring at are just seven hundred years old.
Not nearly as old as the church, is Löchgau’s Rathaus (Town Hall). You can’t miss it with its half-timbered construction, its dainty flowerboxes, and its elegant arches.
Just a couple more things to take in before flitting off to see all the nearby castle ruins. First, you must come see the Alte Keller, a stately building that was built over five centuries ago.
Nor, should you miss a visit to the Nagelmuseum, or Nail Museum. Once an integral part of Löchgau’s economy, you’re able to learn all about it — so long as it’s on the first Sunday of the month. ;-)
And you shouldn’t miss the amazing sculptures found throughout town. The horse & rider is a stunning work of someone’s skill and imagination — and if you’ve already visited the Church of St. Peter, then you’ve already seen the Crucifixion sculpture.
All right, now you’re free to roam around the Stromberg to see all the castle ruins you can handle. Burg Bönnigheim (in, um, Bönnigheim) is a goodie, a lowland castle destroyed during the 16th century Peasants’ War.
The Grävenitzsches Schloss (over in Freudental) is a grand castle from the early 18th century; having been used as everything from a nursing home to a sanatorium. And let’s not leave out a trek to the Ruins Altsachsenheim (in Sachsenheim), built way back in the 1200s but didn’t survive past the 17th century.
Now that I think about it, all of this sound just so old, but it’s really not when considering the real history of Löchgau (and its mighty neighbors) dates back to the Romans. Right next door is the Römerhaus in Walheim, a 2nd century A.D. Roman house that’s now a museum. You probably won’t notice it on first sight as it’s encapsulated by a wooden “coat.”
Want to know a good place to talk about everything you’ve experienced so far? That’s right, one of Löchgau’s festivals. The most famous is its Hasenropferfest, a festival 2-years in the making, held over two days in July on odd-numbered years.
At least no one has to wait that long for its Krämermarkt, or its Spring Festival (both held in May).
Whew, what I thought was going to be nothing, sure turned out to be really something. I’m just totally loving Löchgau, aren’t you?
