Almost slipping over to Austria, the town of Weiler-Simmerberg, which is over 1,100 years old, shows off its historical side of things throughout town.
I guess I shouldn’t say that considering the Romans used to use the Enschenstein for their own reasons. Followed by the Alemanni who used the 15 meter high walls for their own purposes.
Sorry, I’m not an archaeologist — don’t have any clue what they could’ve used it for. I could guess for the Romans, they were usually up to some kind of vice. Ugh, did I just say that out loud? This is a family-friendly website… ;-)
Sorry, back to Weiler-Simmerberg.
Want to see how people used to live here? Go to the Westallgäuer Museum (located on Hauptstraße) with its exhibits on everyday items.
The Pflanzenkundliche Schausammlung is a museum full of pressed flowers and plants. Pay special attention to all the orchids.
On the Kirchplatz (Church Square) is Weiler-Simmerberg’s Pfarrkirche (Parish Church), and its Rathaus (Town Hall) brightly decorated with flowerboxes.
Want another museum? Sure you do, when it’s the Brau & Brunnen Museum — all about the history of beer brewing. Splendid, I could use one of those right about now.
It isn’t all about museums. Hidden throughout Weiler-Simmerberg’s 20 villages are a number of villas that pre-date the First World War. And the Haus Mangold was once a monastery.
You certainly can’t miss the Granery, as it too is decorated with flower boxes, and brightly colored as well.
I know you want a castle. Oh wait, that’s me. Even if you don’t want to see a castle, there’s one here. The Altenburg ain’t going no where since it’s in the same spot from when it was built around 1200. OK, so maybe it’s not in the same condition; as it was totally empty by the mid-17th century.
Like half-timbered buildings instead? All right, Weiler-Simmerberg can do that too. Scope out the Alte Salzfaktorei, it’s one of those mousey yet stunning framework diddies.
It’s great to have trekked over to the Bavarian side of the Alb, and I haven’t even gotten to the natural side of Weiler-Simmerberg yet. Awesome, to say the least. And I can always use the historic town signs to find my way back.
No, I don’t think they have those out in the gorge — better bring the GPS. On second thought, nevermind. If I’m gonna get lost I wouldn’t want to do it anywhere other than right here.
