Who isn’t up for learning something everyday? So what if you already learned something this very fine day, add a small lesson about the town of Westhausen in the Ostalbkreis, OK?
It isn’t as if there is a test at the end of this filled with names and dates. I won’t do that to you, promise. I just got all excited about learning how this place is found in the Jagsttal area in the Härtsfeld, which belongs to the Swabian Alb, that I had to share the knowledge.
What’s the big deal, you ask? Well, for anyone looking to get away from the hectic world, you’ve found the right spot — this isn’t a very populated conservation area filled with all kinds of castles along the way.
Just perfect for exploring bike trails along an old Roman Road, or hiking along in search of the perfect medieval castle.
If you’re interested, Kapfenburg Castle is a good one from the Middle Ages, as well as having been upgraded through the years; and once owned by the German Order. Close to here is Westhausen’s outdoor pool with a waterslide for loads of fun.
See, lots of cool stuff to learn. ;-)
Oh yeah, I learned about how Westhausen holds an annual New Years Eve Procession (known as Silvesterritt) in honor of St. Silvester on his Feast Day, because of a miracle he did back during the Thirty Years’ War. Here you’ll see men riding horseback wearing period garb of the day — a living, breathing history lesson. There’s a pilgrimage chapel (Silvesterkapelle) built in his honor, too.
Westhausen doesn’t just have the one church to see. There is a bunch of them, like the neo-Romanesque St. Catherine’s, the late Gothic St. Stephen’s, and the church over in the village of Lippach is said to house a “Blood Relic.”
In between trying to get that all in, try adding cross-country skiing, tennis, horse riding, fishing, and skating to the list of things to do.
Isn’t this some exciting stuff to learn? Just promise if you find anything else out, you’ll share the knowledge here.
