A Medieval Tale

Germany has more to offer than just beer and schnitzel, one of the events I love is the Middle Age festivals, held around the summertime near or in a castle, and like the name suggests the festivals evolve around the medieval times.

The Hayner Burgfest in Dreieichenhain is one of the best I have seen with craftworks, trinkets and costumes straight out of King Arthur down to the form of payment appropriately call taler used in Germania, the old name of Germany. Around the castle ruins, traders of all sorts displayed their merchandises in white tents. You might enjoy a tasty bread on a stick or fancy some leather bags or fur bags, a wooden stick with intricate carvings perhaps or something more primal-like, steel swords, clubs, battle axes, weapons of all sorts or charming ankle bells which are great for kids or adults alike and there’s even an outdoor heated bathtub for the daring to ease away aches and pain after a hard day’s work.

Kids have their share of fun too, wooden ferries wheel, game of chance, mock battles with knights with armor or animals to feed. The mouse game was a crowd magnet, the owner was witty and fun with the kids, you place bets on top of the little painted houses and guess which house the mouse will enter and win a prize, in this case a precious stone.

Quench your thirst with some interesting drink concoction like dragon’s blood and listen to the enchanting bagpipe music or some ancient instrument to keep you entertain and relax.

These festivals are well planned and thought through which is why they are such a big hit, bringing back the fans year after year.

Make it a point to visit one of these festivals; let your hair down, put on a costume, double the fun and go back in time at least for a day, you’ll not be disappointed.

Samuel Tan

Frankfurt/Main