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 respect that and have fun their luck and Old World allure with common festivals.

Ironically, Heidelberg can be residence 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 effective base as a result of it’s a relatively small metropolis; simple to drive round however a lot simpler to make use of a motorcycle. There is a pedestrian middle the place one can discover something from giant malls 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 obtained the Heidelberg Castle as fief of the Bishops of Worms. It is the photographic middle of the town. There are excursions of the fortress day by day in seven completely 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 take pleasure in its location within the middle of one of many city markets.

Then, stroll throughout the “Old Bridge” to the opposite aspect 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 middle of city nonetheless has half-timbered buildings courting 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 types the jap fringe of the Rhine-Necker Kreis. Vines cowl the slopes of this vary and wine is an enormous deal.

Families who lease a automotive will discover the views stunning 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 isn’t a rustic that makes use of N,S, E or W on its highway indicators. Tip: You must know the place you’re going or what cities are within the course you wish to go.)

We thought the “fest” season would take a bit break throughout Lent till Easter. However, Fasching (the German Mardi Gras) resulted in 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 delivered to Europe by Columbus.) For generations, nonetheless, the Mathaisemarkt has been a kick-off for a very good wine season. St. Mathaise is the saint who wards off the “ice.” The wine area right here consists of not solely Schriesheim, however lots of the neighboring smaller cities alongside the Bergstrasse.

Expect greater than 150,000 others perusing cubicles promoting small gadgets akin to sweet, meals, herbs, bulbs, pots and pans, slippers, and the same old German trinkets. Allow time for the carousel and enjoyable toddler-size rides on the small amusement park. There is an enormous tent (this can be a German type tent that will face 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, after all, wine. The outgoing Wine Queen and her court docket 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 court docket arrive with even better fanfare and a room stuffed with sparklers. It appears everybody right here is aware of to carry sparklers for this event.

Non-Stop Entertainment on the Schriesheim Mathaisemarkt

The small fortress constructed on the hill above Schriesheim is Strahlenburg, courting 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 vital occasions within the city.

Catch considered one of 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 wine, and received up and danced to the rock ‘n roll portion of every set. After just a few 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 — nearly each float, band or group had wine to cross out. These Germans know to carry a cup to the parade; we didn’t. This giving of wine went on for hours. It was enjoyable; we received numerous little candies, cookies, toys and means 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 usually are not 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 standard occasion is now in its twenty sixth 12 months of spring (mid-March to mid-April) performances. The cultural establishment presents each up to date and classical live performance sequence, arts and efficiency occasions, conferences and applications for younger artists.

You can anticipate summer time 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 road to the Marktplatz (Market Square). Stick round to see a re-enactment of the “battle” between winter and summer time.

Watch for Castle illumination and fireworks from one of many many Neckar River tour boats throughout summer time’s first week of June, July and September. Alternatively, catch them from an out of doors cafe desk on the Hauptstrasse (predominant pedestrian strolling zone) that itself has a good looking 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 most important occasion of the 12 months in Heidelberg. The Hauptstrasse is so filled with folks that you simply solely transfer with the group. I counsel that the parallel streets are a greater method to stroll. By doing so, you’ll be able to dip into the primary road 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 motive to have fun.

Be certain to test 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 throughout the “off” season, which is from after New Year’s to concerning 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 neglect to purchase a Heidelberg Card, a reduction possibility for points of interest and excursions that’s an amazing 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, situated at Thomas Weil, Haspelgasse 2, 69117 Heidelberg. It could be very clear and its location is unbeatable, proper on the foot of the “old bridge” and within the middle 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 comfy, despite the fact that there aren’t 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, situated close to the Heiliggestkirche church, an alternative choice.

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