To start off talking about the town of Osterburken, I’ve got two words for you: Bonus dies. Forgive me if my Latin isn’t very good, but it’s supposed to mean Good Day.
Why Latin? It is in honor of the Romans who once stomped these lands. So much that they built a fort here back in the 1st century A.D. Now some 2,000 years later, the old Roman Fort is now a UNESCO area with a museum, hence why Osterburken is on the German Limes Road.
You can always party like a Roman during its Römerfest in September. Or go back in time by visiting the Römermuseum, followed by the Kohortenkastell and the Annexkastell from the 2nd century.
To go further back in history than the Romans (wouldn’t that kinda be like prehistory?) you gotta head to the Geologisch-Paläontologische Museum that’s filled with all sorts of stuff from the days of the dinosaur. You know we Germans have a love for long words, and this is simply the Geologic Paleontological Museum.
After the fall of the Roman Empire the period of the Middle Ages was ushered in. And here at the Histotainment Park Adventon you’re treated to a medieval spectacle every weekend from June to October.
Of course they have other stuff going on any other time, in case you’re wondering.
What other medieval wonders does Osterburken have in store? The Evangelical Church Bofsheim (13th/14th century) for starters, then there’s the tiny red/white chapel of St. Mauritius (1283), and the tower of Osterburken’s St. Kilian Church (15th century).
However, it is the Kloster Seligental that was built in 1236 that is Osterburken’s medieval wonder. After the Reformation swept through, the Cistercian Monastery lost some of its grandeur.
Not to me, mind you, I love this stuff. And all you have to do is see its frescoes and Romanesque architecture — and you’ll love it too. ;-)
I love a good party too. Thankfully Osterburken can oblige. I already told you about the Roman Festival — but there is also the Straßenfest (Street Festival) in July, the Kiliani Market (a 2-day event) also in July, and of course Germany’s famous for its Christmas Markets, and you’ll find one here in early December.
The Wine Festival (Weinfest) is an annual event every November. Just don’t make any plans to head off by bike into the Odenwald, or along the Skulpturenradweg, the Deutscher Limes Radweg, or the Fränkische Radachter trails during this event.
Save that for another day, OK?
While you do that, I’m gonna learn how to say, “I’ve had a great time” in Latin…
