Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz sits on the edge of a coral reef in the middle of the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria.
Admittedly, you won’t snorkeling on this reef, as it is left over from the Jurassic period when the valley was an ocean. Yet a visit to the town can be every bit as relaxing and wonderful as a trip to the seashore.
It seems that every nook and cranny of Neumarkt has something new to explore. You can start scouting out your visit by getting a sense of the lay of the land by climbing the tower at the Wolfenstein Castle. It’s 22m up, and gives a great view. While the tower is intact, the rest of the castle is picturesque ruins. However, you can see some other intact castles throughout the area as it was once a royal seat.
Check out the Palatine Palace in the central old town if you only have time for one. It now houses a number of cultural exhibits and the district court.
Also in the old town area of Neumarkt you will have the chance to visit a cluster of cathedrals. St. Johannes has ornately painted ceilings, while the Hofkirche (known as “Our Lady”) used to be the chapel for the castle. Visit for the art work and the history, as both are more than 400 years old.
Finally, don’t forget to take advantage of the conservation movement currently sweeping Neumarkt. For the last 10 years it has been building, thanks to a smashing success of a garden show in 1998. Since then, the town has funded a number of parks and garden initiatives.
In the summer, from May to August, they host activities in the main LGS flower gardens each Sunday, with a Midsummer’s Ball held at the end of July. In April and October, the community hosts Bands’n’Clubs, which bring in live music performances to local bars and clubs.
All year long, you can also check out the free Circus Zambezi, a local all-volunteer circus, or rub elbows with the locals at the weekly market on Thursdays.
