Oppenheim: Water, bones, history and fresh air

Courtesy Story, militaryingermany.com

Oppenheim is a place of wine and water, a small town on the banks of the Rhine where the circle of life is very much present. It is a place where you can get back to basics.

Travelers can stroll past gorgeous buildings, wander sprawling vineyards, and emerge from a forested park to see the power of a mighty river. It is also a place of stone and bones.

Photo by Sina Ettmer Photography/Shutterstock.com

Oppenheim offers more than enough to satisfy day trippers. Aside from its beautiful location, centuries-old city ramparts, fascinating wine museum (open April through October) and a handful of outstanding churches, here are four more reasons to visit.

Water: the mighty Rhine

Oppenheim does the Rhine River right. Watersports and a riverside beach are popular during the summer.

In all other seasons, visitors can wind through the Oppenheimer Wäldchen, a small forest on the water’s edge, and feel as if they have the river all to themselves.

Bone: discover an ossuary

Oppenheim has an ossuary, in which bones and skulls are stacked like firewood behind St. Katharine’s Church.

Though this may seem macabre, the idea is to reinforce the joy that comes with being mortal. Carpe diem, indeed.

Wandering: all you want

Old Town Oppenheim is lovely and accessible no matter the season or weather. Plus, it offers multiple opportunities to wander into vineyards and then back again.

During ordinary times, visitors can find a wonderful number of shops and restaurants to enjoy.

Labyrinth...after lockdown

Put this one on your post-lockdown list. Oppenheim has a winding cellar labyrinth that stretches beneath the city. It’s super cool (in both senses of the word, so bring a jacket) and offers guided tours.

Must-see: Landskron Castle

Hike up to Burg Landskron and explore the ruins of a stunning medieval/late renaissance castle overlooking the city.

Here, expect broad views of the town and valley, a fair amount of exercise, and the chance to envision what this castle might have looked like during its glory days.

Getting There

By car, Oppenheim is 30 minutes from Wiesbaden. Check the Deutsche Bahn website for train information.

For U.S. government employees, including service members, remember to always follow command regulations, which may be different than host nation policies, when it comes to travel and COVID mitigation measures.