Wow, some things really get lost in translation from German to English. For example, if you were to literally translate the name Pommelsbrunn, a charming Middle Franconian town, it would show up as Grassington.
What? How does that happen?
I’m sorry to say I don’t have much time to think too deeply about it — but what I do know is Pommelsbrunn is a great place to enjoy both its historical side, and the fantastic countryside.
While Pommelsbrunn boasts the only medieval Bath House — you have to understand the history behind such a revolutionary building. Ok, maybe not totally revolutionary… because the Romans used to have communal bathrooms, but they were a social no-no in the Middle Ages. A tour is a good idea, and it’s worth the couple of Euro entrance fee.
Another of Pommelsbrunn’s museums is the Naturkundliches Heimatmuseum, or Natural History Museum, open Sundays (free admission, no less) that talks all about the, well, natural side of Middle Franconia.
For me, the best museum is the Vorgeschichtsmuseum Urzeitbahnhof, a prehistoric museum with exhibits on the Celts who once roamed these very lands. Although they were great hunters, you won’t have to hunt all that far for a beer — the museum’s got its own beer garden.
FYI, if you want to keep the Celtic theme going, come on over to the small Houbirg mountain (towards Happurg), once home to a Celtic settlement.
A bunch of Pommelbrunn’s other “attractions” came from much later on in history. Even though they’re not intact any longer, you won’t want to miss seeing the Kapellenruine Arzlohe, a chapel ruin surrounded by wonderful hiking trails.
If you want a castle, look nowhere else but the Burgruine Lichtenstein. Steeped in rumor and legend, this 12th century castle ruin still has magnificent carved windows/doorways.
It isn’t hard to imagine looking out over the Franconian countryside from the castle — and the best part is, you don’t have to be royalty to enjoy it.
Between you and me, travel along the Erzweg. I heard it’s one of the best hiking trails in Germany — no easy feat since there are some spectacular trails just about everywhere. And that, my friends, always translates perfectly!
