It’s difficult not to be a history lover when you’re in a place whose church is older than the town itself. Confusing? I’m talking about the Hessian town of Sulzbach (Taunus); and I’ll do my best to explain.
Salzbach’s Protestant Church oldest section dates to around 1031, a handful of years before Sulzbach was officially a town. Really, the church is older, but the 8th century wooden church is long gone. Its 15th century frescoes are exceptionally striking.
As old and as beautiful as Sulzbach’s church is, it doesn’t hold the distinction of being its landmark. That’s reserved for the “Cheese Lady” or the Käsefraa as it’s called here. It was erected in the 1980’s to commemorate the town’s 950th anniversary and its production of Sulzbach Handkäs cheese in the Middle Ages.
Other sculptures around town are the Christmas Pyramid and the fountain on Am Platz an der Linde. They sure make walking around this charming little town even better.
If you’re a bit hungry after traipsing all over, sit at one of the outside tables at the Main-Taunus-Zentrum, Germany’s first shopping center built or opened in 1964. A nice cup of coffee or a good wine will work wonders for the mind and soul. Don’t ya think?
After feeling a bit refreshed, go see the Arboretum Main-Taunus, a 75-acre park (see why I told you to refresh yourself first) with more than 600 species of trees. It’s quite educational to say the least.
You don’t need to visit an arboretum to see nature at its finest, though. The area around Sulzbach is big on agriculture, growing everything from sugar beets to potatoes (which you’ll see if you find the right hiking trail).
Other walking paths and bicycle trails crisscross through town, with jogging lanes thrown in for good measure (I mean good exercise).
Big deal if it’s confusing to figure out how old Sulzbach (Taunus) really is. You’ll find that won’t even cross your mind, not with all the stuff there is to do.
