The minute you arrive in Neustadt (Hesse) you’ll find that it’s quite easy to get into the fairytale spirit of things. What makes me so sure?
How about, because Neustadt is on the scenic 600km long German Fairytale Road (Deutsche Märchenstraße), bordering Schwalmstadt (also on the Märchenstraße).
But, there has to be a reason Neustadt is on the Märchenstraße, right? I’m thinking all the beautiful half timbered houses have something to do with it. Places like the Tennenhaus which was built around the year 1700. Today it houses the town’s archives.
Then there’s the half timbered Castle Dörnberg, which is now the town’s Rathaus; or Town Hall. Right next to it is the Junker-Hansen-Turm, the remainder of a late 15th century castle with the largest framework rotunda in all of Germany.
It would be awful not to mention the framework Rathaus der Vincentinerinnen and the ruins of the mid-13th century Burg Trugelrode.
Now it’s not fair to say that Neustadt is just a bunch of half-timbered houses and castles. There are churches, too. But, if you’re only going to see one or two, make it the Catholic Pfarrkirche and the Friedhofskapelle (Cemetery Chapel).
For some festival fun, there’s a 3-day Kirmes (church festival) in mid-June, another 3-day church festival in the village of Speckswinkel, and the Summer Festival in August. And these aren’t even the half of it!
There are summer concerts, a bake house festival in September, an Oktoberfest (a couple of them, actually), Advent concerts, and a Nikolaus Market.
Over in the village of Mengsberg, there’s a Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum) open on the 1st Saturday of the month. Any other day of the week, you’re welcome to enjoy the surrounding forest, frolick at the Hallenbad, or do a bit of horseback riding.
Whatever your reasons for coming to Neustadt (Hesse), you’ll be really glad you did; and you’ll certainly keep your fairytale spirit when you leave. ;-)