It was a cold and rainy day in Germany, following many cold and rainy days, but we needed to escape the house. We donned our cold and wet weather gear and headed to the car in search of new explorations in Germany. While out and about in December for our Christmas market excursions, we drove through the town of Heppenheim. A short drive south of Frankfurt and due North of Heidelberg, Heppenheim sits at the base of rolling hills and beautiful forest. The town itself didn't stand out as we drove through initially, but as we went in search of sustenance, we found a hidden treasure of German architectural beauty.
Our first stop in Heppenheim was Starkenburg castle. The castle sits high atop a hill over the town. It's fortified towers looming tall and strong above the tree line, a medieval remnant still with a foreboding presence. It immediately drew our attention from the Autobahn, and with the kids both snoozing, we thought it was perfect to visit first. The drive up was steep and completely cobblestone from the base of the hill. It was short, but definitely not a trek that afforded our children a continued slumber. We parked near the playground, which looked new, and walked a half a mile to the top of the hill where the castle sat. The castle itself was small and our exploring lasted less than 20 minutes, but it was fun none-the-less. The castle also doubles as a youth hostel and has a biergarten. The views are breathtaking and we decided it would be an exceptional spot to enjoy a bier and views in the summer.
Unfortunately the wind and rain got the better of our castle visit that day. With the kids awake and all of us feeling peckish, we headed back to town. As our family is a fan of Döner restaurants, we found a couple of choices. One was an easy walk from our parking spot so that's where we headed. It's a small, unassuming spot, but it was incredible! From the meat, to the toppings, to the sauce, and of course the Pommes. The owner and his wife were incredibly sweet and very welcoming. We all left satiated and thoroughly giddy with the heavenly flavors that still teased our pallets.
With our bellies full and our legs ready for a walk, we started our exploration of the city. We followed the towers and headed toward an old church. Heading up the hill from where we parked, the street almost immediately transformed from modern building and ambience to one of old Germany. Half-timbered homes and cobblestone streets were all we could see. We were immersed in the magic of this beautiful old town. We spent the next hour exploring the cultural nuances of Heppenheim and getting lost in the artistry of old.
The cold and rainy day, and 2G+ restrictions kept our day short, but we will be back come spring. Every street in the Altstadt had a new feast for the eyes, and there were many we didn't get to explore. Stay tuned, this post may be the first of more.