Sometimes I sit behind my keyboard wishing I had a time machine instead of a laptop. Weird, I know, but could you imagine going back to the days of the Romans — especially in places like the town of Rheinzabern?
What’s so special about Rheinzabern and the Romans? Uhhh, plenty, since the Roman pottery made here some two thousand years ago was famous all over the Roman Empire. Except it wasn’t called Rheinzabern back then; the Romans named it Tabernae Rhenanae.
Whatever name you want to call it, you can see their handiwork at the Terra Sigillata Museum right on the town’s Hauptstraße. And for those of you who don’t know, pottery has to be fired up in kilns — and you can see the old Roman kilns, too.
After the Romans left there’s not much to tell about Rheinzabern for a while (but wouldn’t it be nice to hop in that time machine and find something). It was the devastation of the Thirty Years’ War that left its mark on the place. Many of the town’s original buildings were totally leveled, so in the 18th century the Town Hall was rebuilt, as was the Church of St. Michael.
The St. Michael Church, also located on the Hauptstraße, still keeps its Gothic tower — and it’s conveniently near many of Rheinzabern’s half-timbered houses. Of course you’ll find plenty more off the main street, and little wonders like Baroque crosses scattered around town, plus a World War I Memorial on the Rehgartenweg.
Of course if I had a time machine I could go back to any one of Rheinzabern’s cultural events over and over again. The weather is beautiful around here in the summer, so come for the Summer Festival in July that’s a lot of fun, and the Marktplatzfest is a multiday affair.
Not everyone likes a full blown party — so how about coming along one of the winter hikes?
Does this sound like enough? Nah, I didn’t think so either. What’s great about it all is Rheinzabern is part of the Collective Muncipality Jockgrim, adding four more towns to its handful of villages. Nothing personal to the other towns, but Hatzenbühl is probably my personal favorite. Probably because of its medieval church from the 13th century (whose tower is the town’s landmark) and its charming Rathaus (Town Hall).
Whichever town or community you like best you’re bound to love being out in the Bienwald, so put on your most comfortable walking shoes and explore.
Of course, if you had one of those trusty time machines, when you get tired you could go back to when you’re refreshed & do it all over again. ;-)
