It is one of the most famous racetracks in the world: The Nürburgring. Legendary to its name, the north loop demands all that the driver has to give more so than any other track. Nürburgring has provided material for countless books, bold headlines and fascinating, sometimes even amazing, but also very tragic stories. Throughout the years, the Ring has been developed into one of the most modern and safest tracks in the world. However, Nürburgring is much more than just a race track with a great tradition. Aside from the numerous racing events, music and other mass sports events take place making the ‘Ring’ today, a multi-functional recreational center. Nürburgring is also home to one of the largest rock festivals in the world, the ’Rock am Ring‘. Since 1985, a number of renowned international artists jam at this festival every year and attract countless visitors in the Eifel.

Nürburgring
Nürburgring Boulevard 1
53520 Nürburg
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Phone: 02691-302602
WEB
Distance from Spangdahlem 70 km

The pretty Schmitshausen on the Sickinger Höhe in the south-west Pfalz became Germany’s first official Rose Village (“Rosendorf”) in 1966 and was later elected a European Village (“Europadorf”) in 1981. More than 5,000 rose bushes bloom here in the village and in the picturesque rose garden every year. On the Schmitshauser Höhe - about 400 meters away when leaving the village – stands an observation tower that offers a beautiful panoramic view of the flowers. With good and clear weather visitors can see all the way to the Hardt, the North Palatine highlands, the Vosges Mountains, and all the way west towards Saarland.

Schmitshauser Turm
9 meters tall, 2 ladders
Open all year
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The study of astronomy is one of the oldest in the world. Since the start of living memory, people were fascinated with watching the skies. The sun, moon, and stars provide orientation, light, and guide philosophy. The natural science association of Zweibrücken is shining some light on the darker, and more complex planetary questions that still exist through their management of an observatory. Weather permitting, visitors can go in the dome and view the sky with the help of a reflector telescope reflector and observe the celestial bodies over Zweibrücken.

Sternwarte Zweibrücken
Amerikastr. 1
66482 Zweibrücken
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Willi Mayer, 0176 976 373 82 or Thomas Müller, (0 63 32) 37 65
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Open Friday after dusk (clear nights only)

Situated beside the Glan-Blies bike path, the village St. Julian should not be missed out on. If you stop by, you should see the local oil mill built in 1730. Nowadays, it is one of the last functional oil mills in Europe. The husking and tanning process supported by agitator equipment and the Windhaus is unique in Germany. The mill is a listed building and said to be an architectural wonder. You can visit the mill all year round even from the inside if you call (0171) 2 63 90 76 and make an appointment.

Ortsgemeinde Sankt Julian
Woogstraße 17
66887 Sankt Julian
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What fun! Children's theater, musicals, plays and boulevard comedies in the middle of the woods. Enthusiastic spectators come in droves to the open air theater in Katzweiler, one of the largest natural stages in Southwest Germany. Visit the website for more details and ticket sales. Tickets sell out fast!

Freilichtspiele Katzweiler
In der Eselsdelle
67734 Katzweiler
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Phone (0 63 01) 96 19
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The open air museums of Roscheiderhof and Kommern are particularly worth mentioning. Both museums document country life in Germany as it used to be. Throughout the year, one can witness how life on a daily basis took place from baking bread over forging iron nails to ’Tante Emma’s Laden‘, the corner shop. Often one can experience hands on as history is being acted out.

Volkskunde- und Freilichtmuseum Roscheiderhof
Roscheiderhof 1
54329 Konz
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WEB
Distance from Spangdahlem: 58km

LVR-Freilichtmuseum Kommern
Eickser Str.
53894 Mechernich
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Distance from Spangdahlem: 100km

Just north-east of Kaiserslautern lies the Freibad (outdoor pool) Waschmühle, popularly called the "Wesch." Built at the turn of the century, this pool is one of the largest single-basin baths in Europe, with a full 165.3 meters in length and 45 meters in width. Despite its size, the pool still exudes the spirit of historic bathing establishments. A floor space of 25,000 square meters provides enough space for everyone. With a water surface of 7,200 square meters, this pool is a mecca for Olympic-style swimmers.

Freibad Waschmühle
Waschmühle 1
67659 Kaiserslautern
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Phone (0631) 3 70 41 08
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For many years, Theodore and Brigitte Luke have been passionate collectors of cast-iron stoves, old hardware and household objects. With much love, detail and skill Theo Lukas reconditioned and restored objects in its original form. The cosily decorated museum cafe ’Ofenstube‘ has 45 seats for museum visitors where the owner bakes delicious cast-iron waffles for visitors.

Ofen- und Eisenmuseum
Am Römerberg 10
54675 Hüttingen bei Lahr
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Phone: 06566-8542
WEB
Distance from Spangdahlem 45 km

Did you know? Mining in the Palatinate has a long tradition of producing a wide variety of raw materials. In the Pfälzischen Bergbauermuseum (Palatine Mining Museum) in Imsbach and in the two visitor mines “Weiße Grube” ("White Mine") and “Grube Maria” ("Mine Maria") you can admire the variety of regional mineral resources. The montanhistorischen Rundwanderwege (path around the mines), with its numerous info boards about the mining history, can be walked all year round on your own or with a guided tour.

Pfälzisches Bergbauermuseum
Imsbach e.V.
Ortsstraße 2
67817 Imsbach
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Phone (06302) 60 20

Rewind the film, take the camera to be developed, and then wait for the holiday or family photos.

Such was the activity of taking photos in the pre-digital age. The Photo Museum Winnweiler authentically reminds guests of this era, as it’s housed in in the building of a former photography business. The rooms - reception, studio, photo shop - are all still furnished as they would have been around 1950/60. Through its 13 showcases, the museum shows off its historical camera and photo accessories collection that chronicles the development of analog photography.

Fotomuseum Winnweiler
Falkensteinerweg 2
67722 Winnweiler
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Phone (063 01) 12 56 - during opening times (0 63 02) 20 32
WEB
Open 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month 2 pm - 5.30 pm
Groups tours possible by appointment

The Palatine mountains are made up of rocks that are around 300 million years old. The Urweltmuseum Geoskop is dedicated to this prehistoric era, when Germany lay at the equator, volcanoes spat fire, and predatory fishes three meters long hunted in the ocean. Found at castle Lichtenberg, the museum offers original fossils, large dioramas, and showpieces that bring life back into this ancient time period. Especially unique is that the skeleton of the oldest dinosaur found in Germany was discovered just near the museum.

Geoskop Urweltmuseum
Burg Lichtenberg
Burgstraße 19
66871 Thalichtenberg
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Phone (0 63 81) 99 34 50
WEB
Open  April 1, through October 31, daily 10 am - 5 pm
Open November 1, through March 31, daily 10 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 5 pm
The museum is handicap accessible

The wonderful views of the Donnersberg and its idyllic ponds make up the preservation area "Sippersfelder Weiher.” At one of the four ponds (the Retzberg pond) the Retzberg hut stands as a cozy destination. You can leave everyday life behind here and enjoy real Palatine delights in the middle of the natural paradise. These treats are predominantly from the region—from Wednesday to Sunday, guests can enjoy original, seasonal cuisine in addition to being spoiled by original Palatine dishes. Take a deep breath and relax with one of the beer specialties.

Retzberghütte Sippersfeld
Am Weiher 1
67729 Sippersfeld
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Phone (0 63 57) 8 88 00 60
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Open May 1, until September 30, Wednesday and Thursday 11.30 am - 5 pm and Friday-Sunday 11.30 am - 6 pm

The quality hiking trail around Bruchmühlbach-Miesau is made up of two interesting landscape formations: Sickinger Höhe, with its legends, myths and ancient mill culture, and the extensive moors of the Westricher Moorniederung. The approximately 16 kilometer route harmoniously combines natural and cultural history – with 12 informative signs spread along the trail guiding the way.

Touristikbüro
Am Rathaus 2
66892 Bruchmühlbach-Miesau
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Phone (06372) 9 22 01 06
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Located in the picturesque Prüm Valley, Biersdorf’s reservoir, known locally as ’Stausee,’ is the holiday oasis of the southern Eifel. The 35 hectare lake allows one to take part in the many leisure activities such as fishing, rowing, walking, wind-surfing and paddleboating. The five kilometre long walking path that surrounds the lake are also illuminated at night and invite one for a tranquil stroll. During the first weekend of August, Stausee’s annual festival with fireworks takes place. Many cafés, pubs and restaurants can be found in the vicinity.

Stausee Bitburg
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The rose garden gives Zweibrücken the melodious moniker “Rosenstadt” (city of roses) which is its badge of honor. With good reason, because the park is Europe’s biggest rose garden. Starting in April, the dreamy seas of flowers and incomparable aromas coax garden enthusiasts and knights of the rose in this beautiful park. Apart from rose arrangements, lush rhododendron and azalea fields, blooming perennial beds and exotic trees cast a spell on visitors. The family-friendly rose garden is open all year round.

Rosengarten
Rosengartenstraße 50
66482 Zweibrücken
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Phone (0 63 32) 47 93 30
WEB

The town of Saarburg lies in the bend of the Saar River and it is surrounded by vineyards and verdant forests. The town’s landmark is the castle dating back to 964 which overlooks the valley. The main attraction inside the city is a waterfall, cascading over rocks and then plunges more than twenty meters in the depth. The city has many crooked narrow streets with numerous small bridges. Even the small fishing houses in the Old City are very picturesque. In addition, the city offers extensive leisure facilities including boat tours, bob sledge, an extensive culinary delights and of course a wealth of excellent Riesling wine.

Saarburg
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Tourist Information Saarburg 
Graf-Siegfried-Straße 32
54439 Saarburg
Phone: 06581 995980
WEB
Distance from Spangdahlem 75 km

Rising a tall seventy meters high, the sandstone formation Jungfernsprung sits high above the health resort Dahn. Legend has it that a beleaguered maiden, fleeing from a Hallodri, plunged into the depths and survived the jump. Today, the rock formation is not only a landmark of the city, but a popular climbing and excursion destination: pause at the summit cross and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mighty castles Alt-Dahn, Grafendahn and Tanstein as well as the fabulously beautiful landscape of the south western Palatinate. Please do not imitate the maiden.

Verbandsgemeinde Dahner Felsenland
Schulstr. 29
66994 Dahn
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Phone 0 63 91 91 96 00
WEB

On the highest point of Henschtal district Sangerhof in the county of Kusel stands this former water tower (Wasserturm). Today, almost nobody remembers the original usage of the tower-it came into service as a water tank in the 70’s. A small and skinny staircase leads to the top of this tower. There, visitors have an amazing view the many small windows spanning over the Westrichter Bergland and over the area all the way towards the Landstuhler Bruch.

Sangerhof 3
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15 meters tall, 59 steps to the top
Open Saturday 2 pm - 6 pm, Sunday and holidays 10 am - 6 pm
On business days, a key to the tower is available to be picked up from the Rech family
Phone (0 63 83) 57 93 60

Located in the northern Eifel at a height of almost 700m is a slope what is known locally as the ’Schwarzer Mann‘. It is, without a doubt, one of the Eifel’s best kept secrets. ’Wolfschlucht‘ located next to Schwarzer Mann is 570 m high. Both slopes offer the opportunity to cross country ski, sledding or snowboarding. The local ski club offers lessons and rental equipment at very affordable prices. This area also has spectacular hiking choices come summer.

Equally the Vulkaneifel, in Mauseberg, offers also the opportunity to ski, sled and snowboard. The longest slope in the Eifel can be found near Nürburgring. Another great run is Erbeskopf, at nearly 820 m high, it is the highest elevation in Rhineland-Paltinate. Provided it is cold enough and there is enough snow, winter sports alongside breath-taking beauty and fabulous panoramic views can be had within the region. (Distance from Spangdahlem 65 km) Info: 06551-505

The southwest Palatinate tour guides are always on the move with heart and a lot of dedication. They work to give visitors a closer look at the beauties of the region. With a plethora diversified guided tours, guests have the opportunity to discover dreamlike trails legendary in the Südwestpfalz, or to wander on the remnants of the past, the present and the future. The guided hikethrough the rock canyon of the witches gorge is especially popular.

Südwestpfalz Gästeführer Interessengemeinschaft
c/o Vera Ulrich
Bismarckstr. 109
66953 Pirmasens
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Phone 0 63 31 6 39 59, or 01 60 95 00 90 82
WEB