Ubstadt-Weiher lies alongside one of the most historical, yet modern, routes in German history. No, this quaint town doesn’t lie on the Romantic Road, nor the Fairytale Route either. It lies on the Bertha Benz Memorial Route.
Your asking yourself, what memorial route? The Bertha Benz Memorial Route was made famous by the wife of Carl Benz who in 1888 drove the Benz Patent Car #3 for about 194 km through Ubstadt-Weiher and the stunning Kraichgau countryside.
Yes, dear reader, it was the beginning of the German love affair with automobiles and the start of some of the best engineering money can buy. :-)
It might be interesting to think that when you’re here, you’ll be walking (or, driving) the same roads as Frau Benz. Many of Ubstadt-Weiher’s buildings were here long before and after Mrs. Benz’s historical trip.
One of the oldest pieces of this region’s history is the Roman Museum Stettfeld. Uncovered in the 1980’s, a large Roman settlement was found including a Roman palace, a graveyard, and glass pottery.
You’ll also find three beautiful churches to visit and in three different architectural styles. St. Marcellus was built in New Gothic, St. Andreas in Baroque (means ORNATE), and St. Nikolaus in a New Romanesque. St. Nikolaus’ church is the oldest of them all, dating back to the 15th century.
Truth be told, there’s more to Ubstadt-Weiher than just old buildings and feats of the industrial revolution. This area of Baden-Württemberg has some fabulous countryside, great for wine making. Or, hiking and biking and there are many trails that will take you along past through some real picturesque scenery.
Come winter, the region is filled with snow lovers for skiing, skating, cross country skiing, and snowboarding.
The warmer months bring fun festivals, including the Geißenmarkt on the 1st weekend in May. There’s also the Kirchweihfest on the last weekend in September and City Celebrations in the town’s four local hamlets.
Now, in honor of Mrs. Benz come to Ubstadt-Weiher and become part of German history. :-)
