I like Wald-Michelbach. Not because it’s in the Odenwald (OK, that helps); and not because it has a bunch of fun markets and festivals (doesn’t hurt either).
It’s because it’s a town that loves books. Any place that builds a bronze and stone Bücherbrunnen (or, a book fountain) to show how important literacy is; is A-OK in my book (oh, that was a really bad pun).
The Bücherbrunnen is right outside the Überwald Museum and Culture Club, created solely from donations and the elbow grease of volunteers. It’s amazing what can happen when a few creative minds get together.
Don’t confuse the Überwald Museum with Wald-Michelbach’s Local History Museum. It’s located at the Altes Rathaus (Old City Hall) which is a piece of history in itself; a building from 1594.
A real gorgeous place to see are the old Gothic chapel ruins in the forest. While you’re out there, look for the Irish Tower on the Tromm, too.
Over in the town’s old savings bank building is the Stoewer Museum, a company that produced just about everything including sewing machines and typewriters. (Oh yeah, remember them?)
Don’t let sightseeing interfere with partying like a Hessian at the Town Festival on the 1st weekend in July (it’s actually a 4-day festival) or the Kerwe (a church festival) on the next to last Sunday in August.
Shop ’til you drop (or, run out of Euros) at the 2-day Gassenmarkt or Christmarkt. You never know what kind of trinket you’ll find to bring home as a souvenir.
If you’ve dropped, then a visit to a local therapeutic Kneipp spa is in order to recharge your batteries.
If you can keep going, there’s always mountainbiking, Nordic Walking, fishing, and swimming in the Odenwald. Snow might fall here in the winter, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying anything. Grab a pair of snow shoes and get on out there!
Or, stay in and read a book. You know how important they are to Wald-Michelbach. ;-)
