It’s quite fitting that the town of Mallersdorf-Pfaffenberg is as big as its name. There are some 52 villages and hamlets that make up the town that’s said to be in “the Heart of Bavaria” — in “the Heart of Europe” even.
Long before all these villages became today’s Mallersdorf-Pfaffenberg, the area was famous for its Mallersdorf Abbey. It was built by the Franciscans way back in 1109, and is most noted for its more modern Rococo decor. Its Pfarrkirche (Parish Church) of St. Johannes is also one of the monastery’s must-sees.
The other must-sees in Mallersdorf-Pfaffenberg are its castles. Schloss Oberellenbach might be private, but don’t let that stop you from admiring its 18th century exterior. I wonder what the original 13th century version looked like…
Schloss Oberhaselbach is also from the 18th century, but this one got a moat that surrounds it on three sides. And the Zollhof Pfaffenberg might have had its start in the Middle Ages, but it get an overhaul in the 19th century.
The last of Mallersdorf-Pfaffenberg’s “sites” in the traditional sense would be the Jüdische Ehrenmal, a monument to 67 Jewish people who died here during a Buchenwald Death March.
Sorry, I did forget to mention the Bonifatius Statue Westen, and the Marienbrunnen. The former is a sculpture that serves as a reminder for when Saint Boniface, Willibald and Suidger met in 740 A.D.; while the latter is where the annual Advent Christmas Market is held.
Oh, which brings me to Mallersdorf-Pfaffenberg’s festivals. The private brewery, Stöttner, is always holding some kind of event or another, but there’s also the Weinfest (Wine Festival) in September too.
September is also the month for the Pfarrfest (Church Festival) and Herbstmarkt (Autumn Festival). May is another festive month starting with the Maypole on the first of the month, followed by the Florianfest.
What else? There are a number of Summer Festivals in July and August; and the year ends with Winter Festival in December.
Ugh, I almost left out the Pfaffenberger Volksfest that’s held on the first weekend of August. October’s busy too with the Hoffest, Kastanienfest, and Herbstfest.
With all this going on, whose got time for the guided Herb Walks, or trying to tackle the Labertal Bicycle Path? Make time is all I can say. ;-)
Now that I think about it, Mallersdorf-Pfaffenberg’s got so much going on that the place is actually bigger than its name!
