After a full (and wearing) week up in the North, it’s time to head south to the town of Moosthenning. Located just north of Dingolfing in the Isar Valley, this tradition-loving Lower Bavarian town is simply the right place for those seeking typical South German festivals, outdoor fun, and old architecture.
Oh, did I mention the wine? No? Well, let’s start there then. The village of Thürnthenning has been making wine for a whole lot of centuries. Yup, for hundreds of years they’ve been making this delicious drink, so come visit at the end of October for the Wine Festival.
Some of Moosthenning’s other festivals are just as grand, like the 4-day Volksfest every August. And the Starkbierfest (Strong Beer Festival) is also another multi-day event, but you’ll have to attend that during the Lenten Season.
Um, that’s like late Winter/early Spring, whereas the Sommernachtsfest is a summer event in July, while the Oktoberfest comes around early October, and all the Advent/Christmas events are November and December.
Now that you know when all the parties are, you’re able to plan around all that to go meandering around the Königsauer Moos. I’m pretty sure the area looks much different compared to the days when the Celts were tromping around — but that didn’t stop folks from finding Bronze Age artifacts and Celtic tombs.
Wouldn’t that be fantastic to find one yourself? History buff that I am, I’d say so. ;-)
Nothing else man-made is as old as the tombs, but that doesn’t mean the sculptures of the late 17th century church of Sts. Mauritius & Florian isn’t worth a visit. And let’s add a trip over to the Baroque Pilgrimage Church of St. Trinity, also known as the (deep breath…) Katholische Wallfahrtskirche Hl. Dreifaltigkeit.
Two of Moosthenning’s churches come from the 15th century (the 1400s, if you’re curious), the Church of St. Stephen, and the Church of St. Kilian — my favorite, found in a open field.
And there’s also the Church of St. Nicholas in the village of Rimbach, known for its hops and grapes.
Hmm, it always goes back to the wine and beer in Bavaria, doesn’t it? ;-)
