It’s happened again… I’m starving and lo and behold, what do I find in the town of Zellingen? Lots and lots of food. Well, more wine than food, considering that Zellingen lies in the Lower Franconian region — so they’re growing and fermenting some of the tastiest grapes.
However, it’s a beer that goes great with all the bratwurst at Zellingen’s October Bratwurst Festival. Go ahead, try it with both — and don’t say I didn’t tell ya. ;-)
Now that the hunger has subsided, it’s time to go off on one of the vineyard hikes. I sure wish I could be here during one of Zellingen’s two Wine Festivals, held in June and August.
August is also the month for the annual Makaronenfest, or Macaroon Festival. Yeah, more food! And there’s plenty more to eat at Zellingen’s Pfarrfest (May), Straßenfest (June), Margarethenfest (July), Summer Festival (mid-August), as well as plenty at the Spring Market (March), Maimarkt (May), Autumn Market (October), and the Winter Market in November.
There are almost as many hiking trails in Zellingen as there are festivals. They’re all well-marked, and some even have themes like the Wine & Nature Trail (a 7km circular route), and the Forest Route that’s great for reflecting on nature along many unpaved lanes.
The Marienweg is a doozy at just over 137km, but not all of it in Zellingen in case you’re wondering.
You can’t leave ’cause you haven’t seen the Mariahilfkapelle yet, built in 1678. Or the Alte Rathaus (Old Town Hall, built 1609), or the other Alte Rathaus over in Retzbach (one of three villages of Zellingen) that’s a half-timbered building from 1576.
Yeah, they’re all pretty old, but it seems to be the St. Margaretha Kirche is the oldest building in town; built in Duttenbrunn back in the 12th century. Yup, that makes it older than the Wallfahrtskirche Maria im grünen Tal that was built in 1229.
Would you look at that… My tummy’s well fed, my brain is well fed, and all I need now is some sleep. Camping or staying the night at the RV Park is an option for some but, this time, I’d rather spend the night at one of the local guesthouses.
Do you think I can get room service to bring me more of that delicious wurst? :-)
