If ever there was a want to live almost forever, I’d urge you to live it the Bavarian Swabian town of Wemding. Why? How else are you going to see the completion of the Wemdinger Zeitpyramide?
The Wemdinger what? Wemdinger Zeitpyramide, or Wemding Time Pyramid. It was partially erected to celebrate Wemding’s 1200th birthday (in 1993), with a big square stone to be added once every decade until the year 3183. The one in June 2013 was added with much fanfare — as it should be.
Now do you see why it would be nice to live here forever — to see this unique object d’art finished?
That’s not the only reason, though, Wemding is remarkably pretty, especially when the fuchsias are in full bloom from Spring to Summer. A good time to see Wemding’s Rose Garden, take a guided hike, or venture out on your own along the many other bike and walking trails too.
For those who want even more to do outside, Wemding’s got everything from fishing, beach volleyball, camping, ice skating, cross-country skiing, carriage rides, and even a Kneipp area.
Of course, if you want a bit of history as you’re strolling along the streets, come see the minor basilica, the Wallfahrtskirche — a pilgrimage church since the 17th century. As stunning as the ceiling frescoes are here, it is the Pfarrkirche St. Emmeramsplatz that’s Wemding’s landmark, perhaps it’s the 65-meter high towers that gave it that distinction.
Other historical sites around town would include the Folterturm, or Torture Tower (so named for its role in the 17th century witch hunts), its Amerbacher Tor (standing at 30.5 meters), and its 5-story Baronturm.
A Bavarian Swabian town this good is bound to have some good (no, make that great) festivals and other cultural events. However, it isn’t every year the Pestprozession takes place from St. Sebastian Church — that happens once every twenty years. Too bad I missed the one in 2012, that would’ve been great…
And I missed the Schäfflertanz back in 2007, but at least we don’t have to wait two decades — only seven years. We’ll all have to console ourselves in the meantime with the annual Village Festival in July, or the Martinimarkt in November, or the Christmas Market in December.
Yikes, I almost forgot to tell you about the Altstadtfest in August, the Fuchsien- und Kräutermarkt in June, and every Sunday from May to September is Music at the Marktplatz.
Now do you understand why it would be great to live here forever? I could so do this all day, everyday.
