Annweiler: Travel back to the time of Richard Lionheart
The provincial town of Annweiler am Trifels is located in the Southern Wine Road.
First mentioned in AD 1116/1118, Annweiler am Trifels is a town situated in the district of Southern Wine Road in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It has around 7000 inhabitants and is, after Speyer, the second-oldest town of the Palatinate. Annweiler is located in the south of the biosphere reserve Pfälzer woods, which is Germany’s biggest coherent woodland area. Nearby lies the neighboring country France, whose Département Alsace borders the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Like thrones on three mountains’ tops sit in the south of Annweiler the town’s landmarks. On the mountain of Sonnenberg is situated the Reichsburg Trifels, a castle, whose name derives most probably from the triply split new red sandstone rock on which it has been built. Immediately nearby are the remains of two other castles, Anebos and Scharfenburg, the latter one also been called Münz.
Annweiler‘s historical town centre with its nice half-timbered houses and romantic small creek, the Queich, has been since 2005 scenery for the „Richard the Lionheart Festival“, a medieval event, in which many locals participate dressed as knights, noblemen or farmers. Thanks to its great popularity, the medieval market has become the town’s most important event.
Guides at the tourist office offer different tours and individually arranged daily tours for exploring interesting sights and nearby area. Further information about the castle of Trifles’ history and Annweiler itself can be seen at a visit to the "Museum under the Trifels" that is located at the Schipkapass.
A visit to the mountain fortress of Trifels, situated at 494m height, is also very much recommended. Nevertheless should not be forgotten that the final distance can only be done on foot. Once the final part is mastered the reward will be an outstanding view. Trifels is mainly built not true to the original. Nevertheless the castle was for one and a half centuries, during the 12th and 13th century at times of the Staufer, centre of historical events. Temporally it was used as prison and also as place of safekeeping the imperial jewels that belonged to the Roman Empire. Simulations of those can today be seen at the castle. Best known inmate of Trifels‘ prison is the English king Richard the Lionheart. However, his imprisonment is only verified for the period between 31st of March to 19th of April, 1193.
For those who prefer it more quite, the wonderfully arranged parks of the Markwardanlage or the Ambert Park will be worth visiting. You might also want to take a hike through the 2,200 hectare wide city forest and explore nature. Annweiler is also quite remarkable for its variety of leisure time activities.
Well labeled hiking trails as for example the Palatine Weinstieg path, which is one of three new Palatine high-class hiking trails, lead you on a 153 km route through a diverse landscape. All trails are certificated by the German Hiking Association. As are these three more premium trails: the Palatine Hüttentour with its 18km long route, the 12 km long Richard the Lionheart trail and the 7,5km Annweiler castle trail. Those who get thirsty while hiking can stop off at one of the many forest huts which are now used as taverns. Often you will be able to admire a most magnificent view while sipping a glass of Riesling wine.
But Trifelsland is not only exciting to be explored on foot. It is also very popular for horse-riding and mountain biking. Moreover, impressive colored sandstone landscapes are a paradise for mountaineers. Who even loves it still higher, can enjoy an outstanding unique view at one of the hang-gliding-facilities as for example Adelsberg.
Palatine hospitality you will find in Annweiler in various ways; for instance at comfortable cafes, which offer coffee, cake or fresh ice-cream specialties. Also various restaurants of the town serve regional specialties like sow's stomach and flaming cake as well as exquisite food and a selection of wines produced by local winegrowers.
An atmosphere of its own has the tanner's quarter, where the lovingly designed restaurant-hotel "To the Old Waterwheel" is located. The building was first used as a tannery in 1903 and later as a shoe factory. The fully operative waterwheel is still the centre of attention. In the floor of the restaurant is enclosed a bullet-proof window, through which you can watch the beneath river as it flows under the restaurant.
More information: http://www.annweiler.de/
Photo: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock
