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Many members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community have found temporary or even permanent homes in one of the many villages or towns surrounding Kaiserslautern in the heart of the Palatinate Forest.
Today our tour of the County of Kaiserslautern will lead us to the Union Community of Landstuhl, just south of Ramstein Air Base. A Union Community is an administrative territorial community composed of a group of individual towns or villages.
Communities
The union community is comprised of the individual towns of Bann, Hauptstuhl, Kindsbach, Krickenbach, Linden, Mittelbrunn, Oberarnbach, Queidersbach, Schopp, Stelzenberg and Trippstadt, as well as the City of Landstuhl. During a communal law reform, the union community was combined with former towns belonging to Kaiserslautern-Süd. It has been in its current form since 2019, with the City of Landstuhl acting as the administrative center.
With a population of 28,000, about an additional 3,700 members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community (U.S. and NATO) reside in the union community.
Celts, a castle and a medical center
Early traces of a settlement date back to about 500 B.C. at the Heidenfels (heathen rock) and is attributed to a Celtic settlement. It is said to have been a holy site until the Roman times in the first century. The king’s court of Nannenstuhl was first mentioned in conjunction with the king’s court of Lutera around the year 850 as part of the Lorscher Imperial Urban (document). Around the year 1160 emperor Friedrich Barbarossa had Castle Nanstein built on a hill in the southern part of the town, first mentioned in a chronicle in 1253. The town “Landstuhl” was first documented as a city in an official certificate in 1326 and since 1995 it has officially held the title “Sickingenstadt Landstuhl,” in honor of the noble Sickingen family.
The Lords of Sickingen acquired responsibility in the late 15th century and their most famous member, Franz von Sickingen, transformed the castle into a fortress during his reign. While large parts were destroyed, some sections still tower above the city as the most prominent landmark.
Since 1953 Landstuhl has also been home to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the largest U.S. medical center in Europe with a military housing area on the premises.
Wanderlust and canyon hikes
There is plenty for outdoor fans to do and discover in and around Landstuhl. Various hiking trails lead to and from Castle Nanstein on long or short routes. Discover historical traces at Steinberg or take a relaxing stroll in the wild and romantic Karlstalschlucht near Trippstadt. Mountain bikers have nine trails to choose from and regular cyclists can discover the Palatinate Forest on a variety of trails.
The Cubo is a popular spot for wellness fans and offers a sauna with a spa area. The nature inspired sun and fun outdoor pool is ideal for children and is just adjacent. Nature lovers may also enjoy the Bärenlochweiher, a natural swimming lake in the forest, with a picnic area near Kindsbach.
Various sports clubs and associations offer a multitude of fitness activities for young and old. In addition to popular German soccer, other clubs offer table tennis, fishing or even events for tractor fans and meetings with working dogs.
Arts and culture
Performing arts events are held at the Stadthalle in Landstuhl with musicals, concerts and plays. The Kulturfabrik in Linden also offers a variety of concerts and the Artothek is renowned for its arts display, where pieces of art can be borrowed similar to a library.
Step back into the spectacular Middle Ages at Nanstein Castle at the “Burgspiele” during the summer or visit a humorous play in regional dialect at the “Pfälzer Komödie” in the Stadthalle. Amateur actors perform in plays in November and around Easter at the nature stage in the middle of the forest in Queidersbach on Falkenstein Castle.
Iron processing and a journey through time
The Eisenhütten Museum in Trippstadt provides a glimpse into the world of forest, water and the iron industry closely connected to Trippstadt and neighboring Karlstal’s history of iron processing. It is situated within the “Schmiede Huber” complex under historic protection and iron processing demonstrations and courses can be booked.
The Sickingenmuseum in the Zehntenscheune offers a tour through the life and times of Franz von Sickingen, the most prominent Landstuhler of all times. It highlights the effects of his political and personal development onto the centuries to follow. There is also a separate department called “The Knight and his Era” with original letters and pictures.
Sustainability at its best
Nature fans may enjoy a visit at “Haus der Nachhaltigkeit” (House of Sustainability) near Johnanniskreuz. It is considered to be the consumer section for the German part of the “Biosphere Reserve Palatinate Forest North-Vosges” and offers varying displays, such as 3D films about landscapes, alternating events and an attractive outside area with local flora and fauna.
Festivals and fun
The Sickingenmarkt takes place in May and the Stadtfest in September, with food and beverage booths and musical stages throughout the city. Each individual community has its own village fest in the summer months. The Schnappsbrennerfest in Mittelbrunn in July and the Hahnenfest in Bann in June, are well known beyond the region.
Fun Facts:
Since 1953 over 56,00 Americans were born in Landstuhl. Famous Americans born there include musician Rob Thomas, football player Reggie Williams and LeVar Burton, who starred as LCDR Geordi La Forge in “Star Trek – The Next Generation.”
Franz von Sickingen tried to conquer the City of Trier in 1522 during the “Pfaffenkriege” (clerical wars), but wasn’t successful, and shortly after died in Castle Nanstein.
Mammoth trees not only grow in California. You can also spot impressive Wellentonias on the road leading to Zweibrücken (L465) and take a walk under giants.
The main street leading through Landstuhl, commonly referred to as “Kaiserstrasse,” was built by Emperor Napoleon and he personally traveled through the town on his way to or from Paris and Mainz.
For further information about the Union Community, please visit www.landstuhl.de.
