You know how some places are forever burned into your memory forever? I’d have to say the town of Wernberg-Köblitz is one of them. How could it not, it sits right in the Upper Palatinate Forest — a mere 30 km from the Czech border.
But, better than that, it’s a place of old churches (with 26 villages, how could it not), a medieval castle, and proper German festivals.
A historical walking tour of Wernberg-Köblitz won’t take you but 2-to-4 hours, but I really think you need to allot more time than that. I counted seven old churches before I had to call it quits, yet the ones I did see were utterly fantastic (can’t imagine what I missed).
The architecture of Wernberg-Köblitz’s churches run the gamut from Romanesque to the Baroque, some often a blend of art through the centuries.
Take the Church of St. Anna, for example. It started out in the Middle Ages, had Gothic enhancements in the 1500s, underwent a remodel in the 18th century. Look hard and the the Church of Sts. Peter & Paul might still resemble its Gothic origins, but it, too, saw a Rococo overhaul in 1736.
For me, the best part of the Middle Ages were its castles; and you’ll find a proper medieval one here. The menacing looking Burg Wernberg has been a part of the town since the 1100s, but the Romans were here first — according to the artifacts found here. If the Romans had a chapel as stunning as the St. Georg Chapel in the castle, they probably wouldn’t have left.
Wernberg-Köblitz might be proud of its history, but it’s modern at the same time. I love the fact the Badebus will take you (free of charge, no less) to the nearby outdoor swimming pool. And every October everyone gets together for Oktoberfest, and in August for the Naabfest, also in July for the Wine Festival, and in June for the St. Josef Pfarrfest.
Two to four hours in Wernberg-Köblitz? I don’t think so — maybe two to four months might cover it. ;-)
