I don’t know what surprised me more about the Hessian town of Walluf; was it its size, just over six square kilometers, or was it how much of its size was dedicated to wine?
Questions to ponder when you’re here, I guess. ;-)
Because of Walluf’s “wine culture” is so prevalent, why not start there. They’ve been making the stuff for more than twelve centuries, mostly to the Riesling variety — so white wine lovers, this is your kind of place. Not only is the landscape decorated with vineyards, but so with taverns and wineries, and even wine tasting stands.
Oh, can’t forget about the guided Vineyard Hikes in September, or the 2-day Wallufer Weindorf in August, can I?
Pulling yourself away from the vino can be difficult (because it tastes so good), but if you don’t, you won’t ever get to see what else Walluf offers up. Things like the artwork at its Rathaus (Town Hall), for starters, and places like the old castle tower, known as the Turmburg.
It’s too bad the Johanniskirche is gone, too. Even though some of the church’s 15th century walls still stand, it is even older than that — believed to have been built sometime in the 900s. Sadly, it was destroyed during the bloody years of the Thirty Years’ War — but today it’s the place of Walluf’s Corpus Christi Procession — and it still has its ossuary.
Do you know what else Walluf has? Mills. Lots and lots of mills — ten of them to be exact. If I remember correctly, the oldest is the Bug-Mühle, built before the 1390s. And before you ask, no it doesn’t mill bugs. ;-)
Interesting conversation starter though at one of the town’s many cultural events. I’ve already told you about the Wallufer Weindorf and Vineyard Hikes, but there’s also a Christmas Market, an Oktoberfest (in October), and an August Summer Festival.
It’s probably best to save some energy — you should really check out the Walluf section of the Hessian Radfernweg R3, and the Rhine Cycle Route. How else are you gonna see the nesting storks?
One thing’s for sure, Walluf really knows how to pack it all in just six square kilometers. So, the real question to ponder is, what will you do first at the Gateway to the Rheingau?
