Some people say if the music’s too loud, you’re too old. Others believe that you’re too old once you’ve decided to stop learning. I am not too old — not because the music’s a decibel (or two) too high, but because I’m willing to learn.
So what did I learn from the town of Ostrach? That it lies right in the middle of the surrounding Schwäbische Dichterstrasse. Yeah, another scenic route that Germany has to offer.
The Schwäbische Dichterstrasse, BTW, is a poet/author route that takes you along to the towns of Goethe, Hesse, and many other famous German writers.
Even better that Ostrach is right along the classy Hohenzollern Route and the Upper Swabian Baroque Route. Great — three routes for the price of one!
Means nothing if you don’t know what there is to see. For the Baroque part of Ostrach, you’ll need to see the Church of St. Pankratius. For the medieval, the St. Michael Chapel is grand example of Romanesque architecture from the 12th century, and the Pfarrkirche St. Luzia came along a century later.
The Middle Ages not only gave us some spectacular churches, but castles as well. Ostrach had them — and you can see where they would have stood when you visit the Burgstelle Freudenberg, and Burg bei Burgweiler. While nothing remains of the latter’s 11th century building, it is the venue for Ostrach’s Burgfest every year.
Do yourself a favor, get a bicycle and take one of the seven cycling routes through the area. The history of the routes will bring you from the dark medieval days right up to the present.
Anyone looking for museums? You’ve got that too. The obligatory Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum) is a good start — perfect to learn the customs and traditions of the area (like Ostrach’s huge Swabian/Alemannic Carnival), and the Volkskundemuseum (Ethnography Museum) that’s all about local folklore,
Because this is Upper Swabia, you’ll love being outdoors too. Ostrach lies along the Laubenbachmühle Nature Reserve, and in the village of Burgweiler (one of Ostrach’s twelve) there is the Grenzsteinmuseum — part outdoor museum/part walking path. Wear comfy shoes… this baby is 13km long.
Hey, at least Ostrach has made learning fun. And you’re never too old for some of that. ;-)
