Right in the Ortenau, next to Achern, is the very small (just 16.75 square kilometers) town of Sasbach.
What I found within this diminutive village was nothing short of concentrated goodness.
Speaking of concentrated goodness, let’s talk about Sasbach’s wines for a minute, shall we? Wine making is pretty big business in these parts, with the Pinot Noir grape being the most popular. That makes a red wine, if you didn’t know, but the Grey Burgundy makes a really yummy white one if you’re so inclined to try a wine tasting.
Where there’s wine in Germany, often there’s a Wine Festival. Sasbach doesn’t disappoint there, with a 2-day festival held every October.
As lovely as the Wine Festival is, it sure isn’t the only event in town. Sasbach offers up everything from its St. Bridget Feast (February), to its Maypole festivities, Summer Festival (May), Forest Festival (July), Brettelsmarkt (October), Altsasbacher Tage (another 2-day event), and its Advent Bazaar in November.
In between the lively fun, good eats, and bouts of merry drinking — you can visit the Toni Merz Museum, which is really an exhibition of the 20th century artist’s works. Sorry, but it’s only open on Sundays and holidays — so be like a proper German, and plan accordingly.
Also plan on visiting the Turenne Museum, with exhibitions on the French General, while you’re at it too. He was killed in action here back during the 17th century Battle of Sasbach, during the Franco-Dutch War.
Other notable (and notorious) folks that have found their way to Sasbach include Franz von Papen, once an ambassador for the German Empire and a member of Adolf Hitler’s Cabinet. Major General Walther Dornberg died here in 1980; you might not have heard of him, but he was awarded a First and Second Class Iron Cross, and was famous rocket scientist, Wernher von Braun’s, boss.
I think the only thing left to see is the town’s Parish Church, whose origins go back to the 8th century, the Kühnerhof (a 300 year old mill that’s open only on Heritage Day), and the trek along any of the many hiking trails (oh, the Ortenauer Wine Path is a good one).
See… told you Sasbach was concentrated goodness with wine, history, great festivals, in a pretty countryside.
