Explore Gönnheim on walking routes, by bike and through tangible traces of local history. Two Gadepädelcher circular walking routes and more than 30 works in the Open-Air Gallery offer different ways to discover the town; behind the church, nine sandstone sarcophagi add historical evidence to the picture.

On foot, by bike and in the open air

Those wishing to explore Gönnheim on foot can follow the two Gadepädelcher circular walking routes. There are also more than 30 works to see in the Open-Air Gallery. A walk and the chance to view art outdoors thus offer different reasons to discover the town.

Gönnheim is also a specific point of interest for cyclists: a section of the Kraut-und-Rüben cycle route passes through the town. Weingut Eymann welcomes cyclists. Check access arrangements at the winery before visiting to ensure this part of your plans is up to date.

Sandstone sarcophagi behind the church

The open-air exhibition area behind Gönnheim’s church displays nine sandstone sarcophagi. Panels complement the display with photographs of selected burial finds. The stone sarcophagi and the finds shown in photographs are presented side by side, offering a tangible way to explore local history through visible objects and their accompanying images.

In the wider destination of Bad Dürkheim

The wider destination of Bad Dürkheim encompasses other distinct cultural and visitor attractions. In Deidesheim, the Museum of Wine Culture explores the relationship between people, wine and viticulture. A 2.3-kilometre walk through the historic town centre offers another way to explore. This makes it possible to choose between a themed museum visit and a stroll through the town centre.

The Dürkheim Sausage Market is the largest wine festival in the world and has a 600-year tradition. The wines offered there have won awards and come from vineyards in Dürkheim. The festival’s history and the wines’ origins offer two distinct points of interest: those interested in wine culture can learn about both the market’s long tradition and the regional origins of the wines on offer.

The history of Hardenburg Castle and Fortress Ruins can also be explored in several stages. It began in the 13th century; the complex was later developed into a fortress and then into a castle for the Counts of Leiningen. Massive walls of Palatinate Buntsandstein sandstone and towers offering views of the Palatinate Forest are defining features in accounts of the site. An augmented-reality guide shows the complex and its rooms as they appeared during the castle’s heyday. As visitor technology can change, it is advisable to check the guide’s current status before visiting.

The graduation tower in Bad Dürkheim offers another highlight: brine trickles over two brushwood walls, each around 333 metres long, creating a “Palatinate sea breeze.” Visitors can walk along the covered walkway at their own pace; guided tours share interesting facts about the history of salt production. A self-guided walk at the graduation tower and a guided introduction to its history thus offer two different ways to visit.

Discover more destinations: Laumersheim, Grünstadt, Altleiningen, Weidenthal, Neidenfels, Freinsheim, Weisenheim Am Sand, Herxheim Am Berg

See the wider travel overview: Bad Dürkheim.