This is it, my final town of the week — and is Obrigheim (Baden) a doozy.
I had to ask myself, where else could you find a couple of scenic routes and a nature park all rolled into such a neat and tidy package?
Found at the foothills of the Odenwald (and along the Neckar-Odenwald Nature Park), Obrigheim is found on the multi-national Burgenstraße, or Castle Road, scenic route — all because of Schloss Neuburg. Even from a distance Schloss Neuburg makes a dramatic landmark, especially at night when it’s all lit up.
At least you don’t have to be royalty to enjoy it. These days everyone’s welcome to see an intense 14th century castle.
By the way, as far as castles go, you should venture out into the Neckar region to see Burg Guttenberg; a most impressive castle over in Haßmersheim that’s more than 800 years old.
Anyway, back to Obrigheim… more specifically, the Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum) I should say. Its exhibits are an interesting look into German life at the turn of the last century; how folks ate, slept, and worked a mere hundred years ago.
As romantic as it looks, life was hard here for some during World War II. Obrigheim (Baden) was the location of the Concentration Camp Neckarelz — and a history trail along the Goldfischpfad, and there’s a memorial to the forced laborers who mined gypsum from its tunnels.
These days the town isn’t so serious. In fact, it’s really fun-loving — evident by its numerous festivals and cultural events. The Maibaum erection is one of the biggest parties, although you could say the same about its Dorffest (the last Sunday in July), and its Kiliansmarkt that’s always held on the second Sunday in September.
Oh wait, I almost left out the Christmas Market… You might not want to miss this, so plan to be here on the first weekend of December. As for Christmas, that’s a religious holiday — so that reminds me about the town’s lovely Weinbrenner styled St. Lawrence Church, built in 1832. However, you might want to visit the Cemetery Chapel too, so long as you call ahead to make an appointment.
So, if you’re looking for a little (a lot) of everything, I guess you’ll plan on adding a trip to the totally outstanding Obrigheim (Baden), won’t you?
