Heidelberg and Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt

Make historic Heidelberg, Germany your base for the annual Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt, a pleasant spring pageant. This small metropolis is a kind of fortunate locations that was not bombed throughout WWII. Citizens recognize that and have fun their luck and Old World appeal with common festivals.

Ironically, Heidelberg can be house to many divisions of the US Army. Military bases are unfold out throughout Heidelberg and neighboring cities. That makes it the primary cease in Europe for a lot of Americans.

Heidelberg is an efficient base as a result of it’s a moderately small metropolis; straightforward to drive round however a lot simpler to make use of a motorcycle. There is a pedestrian heart the place one can discover something from massive department shops to, sure, the Hard Rock Cafe. This previous 12 months, the climate was notably splendid for all of the actions that go together with the spring pageant season. Most Americans assume solely of the Munich Beer fest, or “Oktoberfest,” once they envision Germany. However, now we have discovered that the “fests” are a lifestyle right here that makes the tradition actually “festive!”

Historic Heidelberg is a Good Base for Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt

Heidelberg’s well-known fortress was the middle of the Palatinate area of Germany. In 1155, Conrad von Hohenstaufen turned the Count Palatine. He acquired the Heidelberg Castle as fief of the Bishops of Worms. It is the photographic heart of town. There are excursions of the fortress every day in seven totally different languages.

The Heidelberg University is one other landmark that was based in 1386. That makes it the oldest college in Germany. In 1400, the constructing of the Church of the Holy Ghost (Heiliggestkirche) started. The reformed Lutheran church is on the backside of the hill on which the fortress stands. Visit early to get pleasure from its location within the heart of one of many city markets.

Then, stroll throughout the “Old Bridge” to the opposite facet of the Neckar River and hike up the Philosopher’s Way. It’s the place for breathtaking views of the fortress and metropolis with its grand cathedrals.

Local Events & Regional Festivals in Schriesheim

Four miles north of Heidelberg is a typical German city, Schriesheim, not overrun with Americans, the place the annual “fest” season begins. The heart of city nonetheless has half-timbered buildings relationship way back to 1684, cobbled roads and a fountain that’s the focus for gatherings.

Schriesheim is like many of the cities alongside the Bergstrasse. It’s laid out alongside the Odenwald mountain vary that kinds the japanese fringe of the Rhine-Necker Kreis. Vines cowl the slopes of this vary and wine is an enormous deal.

Families who hire a automotive will discover the views lovely when driving alongside the Bergstrasse or the A5. Get to know this route which connects Frankfurt to Heidelberg and locations south to Basel, Switzerland. (By the way in which, Germany shouldn’t be a rustic that makes use of N,S, E or W on its street indicators. Tip: You should know the place you’re going or what cities are within the path you wish to go.)

We thought the “fest” season would take a bit break throughout Lent till Easter. However, Fasching (the German Mardi Gras) led to mid-February. Nonetheless, festivities picked up once more proper right here within the city of Schriesheim! It appears that for greater than 500 years, Schriesheim has been the host of the annual Mathaise Markt Fest, an eight-day occasion the primary two weekends in March.

What to Eat & Buy on the Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt

Back within the day, the pageant celebrated the want for an enormous tobacco harvest (tobacco originated in our colonies and was dropped at Europe by Columbus.) For generations, nonetheless, the Mathaisemarkt has been a kick-off for a superb wine season. St. Mathaise is the saint who wards off the “ice.” The wine area right here contains not solely Schriesheim, however most of the neighboring smaller cities alongside the Bergstrasse.

Expect greater than 150,000 others perusing cubicles promoting small objects similar to sweet, meals, herbs, bulbs, pots and pans, slippers, and the standard German trinkets. Allow time for the carousel and enjoyable toddler-size rides on the small amusement park. There is an enormous tent (it is a German model tent that will stand up to a small hurricane) for companies to show and promote constructing provides. The stage and tables are set for consuming, ingesting, and entertaining in a second ornately embellished tent. This is the place the festivities start.

Glockele is the meals of alternative. It’s a rooster, I believe… (tastes like hen to me) with a roll and, in fact, wine. The outgoing Wine Queen and her courtroom arrive to nice fanfare with the mayor and different huge wigs within the city council. There are speechs (most of which I didn’t perceive) and many items given. The new queen and her courtroom arrive with even larger fanfare and a room filled with sparklers. It appears everybody right here is aware of to convey sparklers for this event.

Non-Stop Entertainment on the Schriesheim Mathaisemarkt

The small fortress constructed on the hill above Schriesheim is Strahlenburg, relationship to 1250. The ruins of this fortress are seen for miles, particularly at night time when it’s lit up by spotlights. In the previous, trumpeters from the fortress heralded not solely the opening of this fest however many essential occasions within the city.

Catch one in all Germany’s huge bands in the primary tent the primary Saturday night time. They play all the everyday German soccer and social gathering songs. We swayed with the crowds as they consumed increasingly more wine, and bought up and danced to the rock ‘n roll portion of every set. After a couple of of those fests, the songs are very acquainted. The Germans additionally like U.S. Country Western sounds.

The fest continues the primary weekend with a big parade — virtually each float, band or group had wine to move out. These Germans know to convey a cup to the parade; we didn’t. This giving of wine went on for hours. It was enjoyable; we bought plenty of little candies, cookies, toys and method an excessive amount of wine. Ah, what a day.

On the final day of the two-week pageant, there’s a parade of bands. These aren’t like our marching bands. Each city, together with Heidelberg, has a big group of trumpeters that take part and signify the heralders of centuries passed by.

Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt concludes with fireworks in entrance of the Strahlenburg that rival the Macy’s 4th of July show. Red spot lights additionally flash on and off and make the fortress look like ablaze. And so ends the annual Matthaise Markt fest in Schriesheim, Germany.

Heidelberg’s Annual Festival Calendar

If you go to in spring, don’t miss the annual Heidelberger Frühling Musikfestival. This in style occasion is now in its twenty sixth 12 months of spring (mid-March to mid-April) performances. The cultural establishment presents each modern and classical live performance sequence, arts and efficiency occasions, conferences and packages for younger artists.

You can anticipate summer season on the annual Heidelberg Sommertagszug parade. On Mar. 19, 2023, search for locals with Summer Day sticks (embellished with a pretzel, blown-out egg and colourful ribbons accroding to the tourism workplace). They march via the Old Town from the St. Anna Gasse and leads via the primary avenue to the Marktplatz (Market Square). Stick round to see a re-enactment of the “battle” between winter and summer season.

Watch for Castle illumination and fireworks from one of many many Neckar River tour boats throughout summer season’s first week of June, July and September. Alternatively, catch them from an outdoor cafe desk on the Hauptstrasse (fundamental pedestrian strolling zone) that itself has a lovely view of the fortress.

For a particular celebration, the tip of September marks the Heidelberg Herbst and Medieval Market. The Herbst fest might be the largest occasion of the 12 months in Heidelberg. The Hauptstrasse is so full of folks that you just solely transfer with the gang. I recommend that the parallel streets are a greater method to stroll. By doing so, you’ll be able to dip into the primary avenue if there’s a band you wish to hear or a specialty sales space you wish to go to. Some years, the Herbst (autumn or fall) fest is similar time as the center weekend of Munich’s Oktoberfest, creating much more purpose to have fun.

Be certain to verify the tourism division’s on-line occasion calendar previous to planning your go to.

Trip Planning Details for a Heidelberg Escape

Airfare to Europe is especially low through the “off” season, which is from after New Year’s to in regards to the finish of June. Look for bargains for the “fest” season which begins the primary of March. From Heidelberg, simply attain Schriesheim by automotive, bike or the Strassenbahn (streetcar).

Don’t overlook to purchase a Heidelberg Card, a reduction possibility for points of interest and excursions that’s an incredible worth. Get free entry to the college, a jail, the fortress and entry to public transportion.

One of the favored locations to remain in Heidelberg is the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, positioned at Thomas Weil, Haspelgasse 2, 69117 Heidelberg. It may be very clear and its location is unbeatable, proper on the foot of the “old bridge” and within the heart of the Altstadt (Old City).

We stayed there with our son a number of years in the past and located it very good. The administration was very pleasant and spoke English. Families will discover it very snug, although there are not any adjoining rooms. The lodge has many double rooms; moreover, they’ve one room for a household of 5, and 4 different rooms for 4 folks, plus their single and double rooms. All rooms are priced for mattress and breakfast. I’ve heard that they added one other guesthouse with six rooms and two trip flats, positioned close to the Heiliggestkirche church, another choice.

For extra details about the area’s points of interest, go to the native Heidelberg Convention & Visitors Bureau website.