I was wondering when I was going to get back here to Meersburg again. It took a while, since it’s been forever and a day from my days traveling along the Upper Swabian Baroque Route.
Yeah, that’s a big scenic route to throw out there in the first few minutes — and interestingly enough, it isn’t the only one making its way through this Upper Swabian town.
Leave it to Germany to be so efficient to jam-pack a million-and-a-half things into just twelve square kilometers.
Meersburg didn’t start off Germany, it was originally a Merovingian town. In fact, the Old Castle had its start back in the 7th century, built by a guy by the name of King Dagobert. And following the years after the World War II desaster, the place was occupied by the French.
Sorry, no time for a history lesson, there’s too much to do. Whether you’re here because of the Upper Swabian Baroque Route, the Swäbische Dichterstraße (Swabian Poets Route), or the German Framework Road — you’re treated to the best each theme has to offer. And a good way to see a lot of what Meersburg’s got going on is to take either a guided tour of its Altstadt (Old Town), or a Nightwatchman Tour.
Chances are you’ll see the Unterstadttor, the city’s oldest gate, built almost 800 years ago; and you’ll pass many half-timbered houses, giving the town that Old World feel. When you want a bit of modernity, walk along the promenade that runs along Lake Constance.
As if that’s not enough, Meersburg has plenty of festivals to give the place a lively vibe. The Bodensee Weinfest is always fun in September, and not to be confused with the Winzerfest that’s held on the second weekend of every July. From March to December, Meersburg hosts many International Palace Concerts; and every May is time for the Droste Literature Festival. Oh, and this is all in addition to the super fun Medieval Market in October — fullll of jesters, music, artisans, and yummy food.
When you’re not visiting places like the Weinbaum Museum, old chapels like the Cemetery Chapel, and the former medieval Dominican Monastery (that’s now a library, tourist office, and City Museum) — why not find one of the many vantage points throughout the city. Much of Meersburg’s architecture is stunning artwork, but so is the vineyard dotted landscape.
Yeah, it was really nice to get back to Meersburg; and with any luck, I’ll get back here again and again. Perhaps you’ll be here, too.
