Park offers walk through Middle Ages

Petra Lessoing
Kaiserslautern American


***image1***The association for medieval culture and fantasy role playing called “Die Legende,” the legend, holds its sixth legendary medieval market today through Sunday at Volkspark in Kaiserslautern.

In Volkspark, between old trees, visitors are taken on a journey into the Middle Ages. An entertaining program is presented with fire shows, activities on stage, artists presentations and walking acts to include music groups, minstrel singers, jugglers, court jesters, magicians and fire-eaters.

About 600 participants dressed in old costumes display living in medieval times. Craftsmen such as blacksmiths, lantern makers, basket makers, tanners, armourers, printers and makers of coats of mail present former skills. Vendors will sell handcrafted and other items such as perfumes, glass products, jewelry, wreaths, ceramics, candles, spices and bee products.

Knights in armaments will demonstrate fights with different weapons in the knights’camp.

There will be various medieval music groups and dance ensembles. Visitors can check out two bath houses and try archery.

***image2***A special children’s program features rides on donkeys, a play tent, medieval merry-go-round, puppet theater, magicians, wooden toys and medieval skills games. Children also can do pottery, make colors, listen to fairy tales and try on knights’ armaments and fight with wooden swords.

Culinary specialties from the Middle Ages include flat cakes, yeast pretzels, fruit rolls, red beet bread, goulash, dumplings, sausages, chicken wings, knights kebabs and oriental sweets. Fruit wines, mead, dark beer, malt whiskey and tea are offered to drink.

The sixth legendary medieval market is open from 1 to 10 p.m. today, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.  

Admission is €6 for adults and €4 for children. Children shorter than a sword (4.5 feet) and visitors in medieval costumes are admitted free.

Advance tickets are available at Gondrom book store, Kerststrasse 9 in Kaiserslautern, phone 0631-36219814 and at Pop Shop, Spittelstrasse 8 in Kaiserslautern, phone 0631-64725.