Who in their right mind wouldn’t get all excited about a town like Untergriesbach? I mean, what’s not to get all a tingle about, considering it has historical sites, fun events, and the most stunning countryside in Lower Bavaria that pictures could never do justice.
The best thing to do is start off with visiting Untergriesbach’s historical places. There are quite a few of them, since the place is made up of 106 (!) villages — right next to the Austrian border.
You know what? Come to think of it, just go see the 15th century St. James Church in the village of Gottsdorf (with a beautiful Baroque pulpit), the 18th century St. Michael’s Church (also Baroque, that used to be a Gothic one), and the Dorfkapelle (Village Chapel, built 1765).
Now call it a day — since you’ve got more outdoor recreational activities than you can shake a stick at.
Oops, sorry… stop at the old Pillory at the Market Square, just to see how they used to dish out medieval “punishments.”
Rested up? Good, now it’s time to hit the slopes for downhill skiing, or try cross-country skiing. Maybe sledding is more your speed? No? OK, well you could do the whole ice skating thing on the nearby Rannasee instead (which belongs to Wegscheid).
During the warmer months the Rannasee is a great swimming lake with pedal boats, a waterslide, and playground (for the kids, of course). Fishing is big around here; and the Rannasee gives up its pikes and whitefish for die-hard anglers.
Untergriesbach is great for die-hard hikers and bikers too, offering plenty of marked trails for either mode of transportation. The Way of St. James makes its way through town, while the Donau-Wald is a 59km biking trail through the Bavarian Forest and the Bohemian Forest.
You need to rest in town for a while if it’s March — otherwise how else will you enjoy all the beer flowing for the Starkbierfest? Can’t make that? No problem, the beer flows freely during the annual Summer Festival in August; and the Pfarrfest (Parish Church Festival) in July is also a good time. No, make that a great time.
When you get home, tell the tale of Untergriesbach’s mermaids. Tell them it wasn’t the beer talking, since Untergriesbach has its own mermaid tale — and the sculptures to prove it.
Wasn’t I right to tell you there was a lot to get all a tingle about in Untergriesbach? You can thank me later for telling you all about it. ;-)
