Hidden within the Göppingen District in Baden-Württemberg is the small town of Salach. I really shouldn’t say hidden, it is on a map after all. ;-)
Salach isn’t a hot spot for wild nightlife, nor is it chocked full of museums or cultural events. It is, however, a charming town that’s dominated by its castle ruins and its outdoor swimming pool.
Yeah, sounds a bit funny reading that, right? It looks a bit funny writing it, by the way. But, I’m serious.
Salach’s claim to fame for sightseeing is Castle Staufenberg and pool complex.
All right, throw in a trip to the historic Rathaus (that would be the Town Hall), and both the Catholic and Evangelical churches of St. Margaret between the pool and castle.
That sounds like a British pub name, doesn’t it? The Pool & Castle, yeah I like that. No one steal my idea, OK? ;-)
Salach’s pool complex has a pool (duh!), a beach volleyball court, a soccer field, basketball court, a chess area, and aqua fitness instruction three times a week.
With all this activity it’s no wonder why the complex is open twelve hours a day (8am-8pm) mid-May to mid-September; and open thirteen hours a day if you’re a season ticket holder (you can get in at 7am).
Castle Staufeneck isn’t open like that. It pretty much operates 24-hour a day since it’s now a popular hotel. Sort of.
How can you sort of be a popular castle hotel? I’m gonna tell you…
The original 11th century castle (some say it wasn’t built until 1240) was totally uninhabited and in ruins by the mid-19th century. A nice family came along and built a 5-star hotel and restaurant on the spot of the original Castle Staufeneck. The only original part of the castle that’s still here is the “Keep.”
It doesn’t matter to me, if I had a few hundred Euro laying around, I’d go stay at Castle Staufeneck.
Maybe I can go hustle some at the pool’s gaming area. Chess, anyone? :-)
