Annweiler honors English king with fest

Petra Lessoing
Kaiserslautern American


***image1***A medieval fest to honor Richard the Lionheart takes place in Annweiler today through Sunday.

The event features a medieval market, knights’ camp and musical presentations.

Vendors sell their merchandise such a medieval material and clothes, leather items, ceramics, soap and medieval weapons.

Jugglers and musicians go through the streets of the historical part of town to entertain visitors. In the knights’ camp, knights present how life used to be in the Middle Ages. Visitors can be like Robin Hood and try archery.

Craftsmen such as blacksmiths, weavers, wood-carvers, potters, weather-vane makers and tanners present former skills.

Food specialties offered include pork roast with sauerkraut, waffles and pancakes. Medieval drinks are mead and cider.

The fest also features a medieval rock concert with the band Saltatio Mortis at 9 p.m. Saturday in Hohenstauffensaal.

Market times are 5 to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets, valid for three days, cost €7. Children under 12 are admitted free.
The English King, Richard, the Lionheart, was captured coming back from his crusade to the Holy Land and was a prisoner of German Emperor Heinrich VI at Trifels Castle from 1193 to 1194 until the English paid an incredibly high ransom.

Another event regarding Richard, the Lionheart, is a display about him in the museum located below Trifels Castle. Interested visitors can also tour the castle. Today visitors can admire imitations of the former imperial insignia, crown, orb and scepter in Trifels Castle. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November through March, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April through October. Admission fee is €2.50 for adults and €1 for children.

More activities to honor Richard, the Lionheart are the Knights’ Banquet Weeks and a castle fest.

Through Aug. 7, restaurants and wine taverns offer food specialties from medeival times.

A medieval castle fest with music, craftsmen, food and drinks take place on Trifels Castle Aug. 6 and 7.

Annweiler is located on federal street B10, between Pirmasens and Landau.
For more information about the medieval fest and the Trifels area, visit www.trifelsland.de.