The best traffic-free bike rides around Edesheim

One of 100,000 benches with a view of Hambach Castle

Das Hambacher Schloss liegt bei Neustadt an der Weinstraße in Rheinland-Pfalz. Bekannt wurde es durch das Hambacher Fest von 1832, bei dem sich etwa 25.000 Menschen für Freiheit, Demokratie, Pressefreiheit und ein geeintes Deutschland einsetzten. Deshalb gilt das Schloss heute als Symbol der deutschen Demokratiebewegung. Die Farben Schwarz-Rot-Gold wurden dort zu einem wichtigen Zeichen der Demokratie.

These vines are truly veterans: The "Rhodter Rosengarten" is already over 400 years old – and still produces wine. According to oral tradition, the vineyard in the wine village of Rhodt unter Rietburg is said to have existed even before the Thirty Years' War, which took place from 1618 to 1648. This makes the Rosengarten the oldest still-producing vineyard in the Palatinate – if not the world. To this day, 300 vines stand on the approximately 600 square meter area, mostly Traminer vines with individual Silvaner stocks in between. Who planted them is not known. However, wine was probably grown in Rhodt unter Rietburg as early as Roman times – in any case, the place has been known for its Traminer since the Middle Ages. (Excerpt from the Internet https://www.pfalz.de/de/sehenswuerdigkeit/rhodter-rosengarten-aeltester-noch-tragender-weinberg-der-welt)

We were lucky enough to spend time there today.

This artwork, entitled "To See Beyond," is part of the "St. Martin Art Trail" and dates from 2023. "London-based artist Tim Norris draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape and, wherever possible, uses local natural materials in combination with constructed elements. As a harmonious symbiosis of landscape and art, the work invites visitors to enjoy the expansive view across the Rhine plain. It consists of an inner layer of stretched canvas, which offers protection and shade to the seated figure, while the outer layer of local vine tendrils alludes to the surrounding wine region. 'To See Beyond' translates to 'to see beyond.' We can interpret this as the view across the Rhine plain or, philosophically, as the perspective from the present into the future." Source (quoted verbatim): Information panel on site Further information about the "St. Martin Art Trail": https://www.tourenplaner-rheinland-pfalz.de/de/tour/wanderung/kunstpfad-st.-martin/803109496/

Palatinate Hidden Gems – Landau – A Green Garden City in the South Landau, the metropolis of the Southern Palatinate, is primarily known as a fortress and university town. It is also called a garden city because of its expansive parks. The 2015 State Garden Show further emphasized this nickname, as the approximately 15-hectare South Park was newly created on land formerly used by the French military. This continued a tradition that began in 1949 with the "Süwega." The Southwest German Garden Show, or Southwest German Horticultural Exhibition, is considered the first garden show with supra-regional impact after the Second World War. At that time, not only were new parks created, but many were also extensively renovated. This includes Schiller Park, which stretches along the street "An 44." Here, impressive one-and-a-half to three-story villas and houses with original wrought-iron fences around their front gardens line the streets. In this historic district, with its typical 19th- and early 20th-century townhouses, a stroll through the verdant countryside of Landau is highly recommended. Here, the vibrant city center seamlessly transitions into an oasis of tranquility. The park, named after the poet Friedrich Schiller in 1905 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his death, is narrow yet covers approximately three hectares. It features a blend of Baroque garden elements and the style of English landscape gardens. For those wishing to extend their walk, the route from Schillerpark past the Strieffler House and allotment gardens towards the village of Godramstein is recommended. There, shaggy Highland cattle graze on the so-called "Rider's Meadows" along the Queich River. They help to control invasive plants such as Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed. Introduced as an ornamental plant in the 19th century, these plants had begun to spread rapidly, displacing the native flora typical of damp floodplains and riverbanks. During a walk, you can witness firsthand how four-legged landscapers help keep Landau a green garden city. Source: https://www.pfalz.de/de/sehenswuerdigkeit/schillerpark-landau

Quiet and shady park on the outskirts of the city with plenty of seating.

Wonderful scenery to enjoy here! It definitely feels like the Tuscany of Germany!