Between you and me, it’s been a rough week. Now I can’t complain too much, I do have the best job in the world — all because it takes me to places like Zapfendorf. And because it’s been a rough week — a trip around here gave me a wonderful opportunity to clear away the stresses of life.
Hmm, I guess a bright Bavarian summer day can work miracles like that.
Actually, something fun like a ride down the 120-meter water slide at Aquarena can do it too. Yes, a trip over to the water park for a sauna and steam bath could do wonders for the soul. It should do something for you, the water’s a balmy 30° Celsius.
When a troubled mind has you seeking some inner peace, might I suggest a visit to nearby Bad Staffelstein and its Kloster Banz. I mean, Banz Castle. No, it’s a monastery. Ugh, the name thing isn’t helping to calm the brain cells — but the beautiful Baroque church can. The marble, the gold, the artwork; all of it will have you awestruck and speechless.
It’s awfully quiet along one of Zapfendorf’s many well-marked hiking trails around the Thuringian and Franconian Forests, too. The same can’t be said for one of the many festivals. Not that folks coming for the Wine Festival in August are a rowdy bunch, though it could happen.
Other events in Zapfendorf would be the Kirchweih celebrations; the Summer Festival and Village Festival (both in July); there’s an Apfelmarkt (Apple Market) in October; an Autumn Market in November; and a Christmas Market in December. While not exactly anything that could be considered a downright crazy — they’re still a good time to be had.
Plus, it’s really hard to be loud while eating all kinds of Upper Franconian specialties. Yeah, deliciously made Kartoffelnudeln (Potato Noodles) were enough to keep me calm for a few minutes.
Now that my stress levels are starting to return to normal, I’m better able to enjoy such sights around town like Schloss Unterleiterbach (built 1750), the Abtei Maria-Frieden, the Valentinskapelle, and the St. Laurentius Church.
I’m pretty sure I’m ready to tackle the world again — and I have the Unser Dorf soll schöner werden (Our Village Is Beautiful) gold medal winning town Zapfendorf with its hamlet of Oberleiterbach to thank for it.
