GERMANY. WELZHEIM SURROUNDINGS.
In May and July 2023, I traveled to the southwest of Germany in Baden-Wü rttemberg, one of the 16 German states. She lived in the small town of Welzheim.
Welzheim is a quiet German town with an obligatory square and a church, cozy houses, cafes, bars and restaurants. Many shops like Fora and ATB: Lidl, Aldi, Edeka, Norma. It is convenient to travel from Welzheim to neighboring cities not only by car, but also by bus.
The history of Welzheim dates back to Roman times. The border of the Roman Empire passed through the territory of Welzheim. Around 160 AD e. The Romans founded a colony and two forts here.
Welzheim was an important location for troops. East FortOstkastell existed from 160/165 to 220 AD. e. Today it is an archaeological park that covers an area of .1. 6 hectares and is a reconstructed eastern fort, consisting of various Roman remains and a reconstruction of the western gate. It's nice to walk through the remains of the fort and imagine the Roman troops stationed there almost 2.000 years ago.
Not far from Welzheim, in the area of the city of Lorch, there are the remains of an ancient wall Limes Germanicus ("German Frontier") with a restored observation tower.
The wall separated the lands of the Roman Empire, which lasted from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD. She was the center of civilization, and the neighboring peoples attacked her rich neighbor. The next Roman emperor decided to fence off tightly, closing the border in the most problematic part of it with a solid wall. In its best years, the wall stretched from the coast of the North Sea in what is now Holland to the banks of the Danube. In the 5th century AD, the Roman Empire collapsed, and Limes Germanicus slowly fell into decline.
In the Welzheim area there is the Wieslauf nature reserve with the Edenbach Gorge, cliffs, grottoes, streams, waterfalls and hiking trails.
Once upon a time there was a sawmill, a quarry, a power station, an old mill in the forest, which has been used since 1668. The Café Klingenmü hle is now located in the romantic atmosphere of the mill.
There is a wonderful amusement park Eins und Alles (Sense Perception Field One + All) for visitors and integration of people with disabilities. Here you can enjoy nature. peace and quiet. Guests of the park can touch, see, hear. smell, taste. move around at sensory stations and installations, watch llamas, sheep, roosters, chickens.
Welzheim is the terminus of the Swabian Forest Railway. Its history dates back to 1835. The route, with its impressive viaducts and beautiful station buildings, has been listed as a listed building since 1992. Steam and diesel trains have been running since 2010 according to a special schedule.
At the stop of the station of the Swabian Forest Railway, in the middle of the Swabian Forest, the authentic restaurant Laufenmü hle welcomes guests.
The locomotive railway from Schorndorf to Welzheim passes through a picturesque mountainous and forested area. There are 3 viaducts along its length.
The smallest first Igelsbach viaduct is 27 meters long and 15 meters high with three arches.
Six arches of the Stockelbach Viaduct carry the 121-meter-long bridge structure from a height of 120 meters above the valley floor.
There are walking routes and viewing platforms along the railway.
Laufenmü hle Viaduct With a height of 25 meters and a length of 168 meters, it is the longest of the three viaducts, with eight arched structures.
Residents of Welzheim and the surrounding villages like to spend their weekends at Lake Eichstruter, where there are well-maintained swimming areas, volleyball and barbecue areas, free and relatively clean dry closets with toilet paper, and paid parking. But you can park for free and 5 minutes from the lake.
A little further - the picturesque Lake Ebni, which is called the "Pearl of the Swabian Forest".
It is surrounded by forest, less conducive to swimming. Nearby there are restaurants, hotels and catamaran rentals.
The federal state of Baden-Wü rttemberg is the third largest in Germany among 16 states. It has many beautiful places. I told only about my little experience, I fell in love with forests and mountains, the beautiful nature of this area, in some places reminiscent of our native Carpathians!
Continuation - in the story "Cities of Baden-Wurtenberg".
