The open air museums of Roscheiderhof and Kommern are particularly worth mentioning. Both museums document country life in Germany as it used to be. Throughout the year, one can witness how life on a daily basis took place from baking bread over forging iron nails to ’Tante Emma’s Laden‘, the corner shop. Often one can experience hands on as history is being acted out.

Volkskunde- und Freilichtmuseum Roscheiderhof
Roscheiderhof 1
54329 Konz
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Distance from Spangdahlem: 58km

LVR-Freilichtmuseum Kommern
Eickser Str.
53894 Mechernich
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Distance from Spangdahlem: 100km

Just north-east of Kaiserslautern lies the Freibad (outdoor pool) Waschmühle, popularly called the "Wesch." Built at the turn of the century, this pool is one of the largest single-basin baths in Europe, with a full 165.3 meters in length and 45 meters in width. Despite its size, the pool still exudes the spirit of historic bathing establishments. A floor space of 25,000 square meters provides enough space for everyone. With a water surface of 7,200 square meters, this pool is a mecca for Olympic-style swimmers.

Freibad Waschmühle
Waschmühle 1
67659 Kaiserslautern
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Phone (0631) 3 70 41 08
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Germany’s biggest outlet shopping center is located at the southern tip of the West Palatinate: Zweibrücken Fashion Outlet. 130 premium brands in 120 shops are offering all year round reduced prices compared with the former recommended retail price. Fashionistas and families aware of current trends are able to discover their personal style from Monday – Saturday from 10am – 7pm. The convenient location with 2.900 free parking spaces attracts visitors from all of southwest Germany and the neighboring regions of France and Luxembourg. Enjoy great shopping and receive your VIP DAY PASS* for extra 10% savings. VAT Acceptance**.

* Available in the Tourist Information Center (for ID card holders), only valid in participating stores and on day of issue. Not combinable.

** VAT form acceptance in designated stores

Zweibrücken Fashion Outlet
Londoner Bogen 10-90
66482 Zweibrücken
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Phone (0 63 32) 9 93 90
Email: info.zweibruecken(at)viaoutlets.com
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For many years, Theodore and Brigitte Luke have been passionate collectors of cast-iron stoves, old hardware and household objects. With much love, detail and skill Theo Lukas reconditioned and restored objects in its original form. The cosily decorated museum cafe ’Ofenstube‘ has 45 seats for museum visitors where the owner bakes delicious cast-iron waffles for visitors.

Ofen- und Eisenmuseum
Am Römerberg 10
54675 Hüttingen bei Lahr
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Phone: 06566-8542
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Distance from Spangdahlem 45 km

Mentioned as early as 1052, this late medieval castle fortress dates mainly from the fourteenth century. The four-storey main-house dating back from the fourteenth century was nearly destroyed in 1945 when SS soldiers set fire to the building. Only parts of the façade and the stair tower remained. Located in Hamm, north-west of Bitburg, it is the largest privately inhabited castle in the Eifel. The castle’s woods are also available for off-road-drives. Planning a special event? Begin with a champagne reception in the castle courtyard, then continue on to celebrate your birthday or anniversary in the banquet hall, exchange your vows or have your child christened in the Baroque chapel, which dates back from the 1700s. All this and more can completely be arranged and organized by Countess von Westerholt thus freeing you of hassles and leaving you more time to enjoy yourself and your guests. Ever wonder what it would be like to sleep in a castle? Three holiday flats are available for hire. Guided tours are available upon request only. Various cultural events are held throughout the year.

Schloss Hamm
54636 Hamm
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For detailed information, please contact Dr. Eva von Westerholt at 06569-963536

Between 1735 and 1775 the former duke residence in Zweibrücken was in its period of glory under Duke Christian IV. Once, famous artists shook hands with the court. Nowadays the palatine Higher Regional Court and the Attorney General’s office Zweibrücken are situated in the building. As it is not far from the heart of the shopping district, a small detour to the castle and its pretty gardens is definitely worth your time.

Residenzschloss
Schlossplatz 7
66482 Zweibrücken
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Phone (0 63 32) 80 50

Photo: Harald Kröher

The Palatinate riding club Zweibrücken cultivates the art of horseback riding since 1898. Apart from a stud, the club has its own racecourse. Those interested in experiencing the fascinating world of horse races should attend a flat race, a steeplechase or a trot race in Zweibrücken. Afterward, you should visit the neighboring restaurant in the rose garden. Horse races and food are a delight, it’s a safe bet!

Pfälzischer Rennverein
Höhenstraße 4 b
66482 Zweibrücken
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Phone (06337) 13 23
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On September 30, 1995, the new theater at the Willy-Brandt-Square was inaugurated with a big opening weekend. The director Pavel Fieber opened the gates to a thrilled crowd.

It took almost 40 years to replace the provisionary theater at the Fackelrondell. Thanks to the aid of the Pfalztheater’s legal entity Bezirksverband Pfalz, the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, and the city of Kaiserslautern, the long-cherished dream of a modern theater came true. The Pfalztheater features all three genres: there is a music theatre (opera, musical, operetta) and two stages. The big house and the smaller stage (Werkstattbühne) offer 628 and 99 seats respectively.

Apart from musical theater, acting, and ballet ensemble the theatre has its own orchestra and an internal choir. 330 employees behind the curtain and on stage work towards a versatile program. The Pfalztheater offers a variety of different subscription possibilities and discounts for students, trainees, and severely disabled.

There are numerous music theater, ballet and theatre premieres per season. The Pfalztheater presents a versatile selection of theatre, opera and ballet productions as well as chamber concerts on the Werkstattbühne. Furthermore, the theater offers concerts, children's concerts, children's theater, song evenings and foyer programs. Special productions (Werkstattbühne extra) can be watched in unusual places, guest performances in Rhineland-Palatinate and beyond to display the function as a regional theater.

The Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern is the only theater with a permanently appointed ensemble in the Palatinate and the second biggest in the state. The director Urs Häberli is in charge of the theater since the 2012/13 season. The musical directorship has been with Uwe Sandner since 2006/2007.

Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern
Willy-Brandt-Platz 4+5
67657 Kaiserslautern
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Phone (06 31) 3 67 50
WEB

Photo: Pfalztheater

Did you know? Mining in the Palatinate has a long tradition of producing a wide variety of raw materials. In the Pfälzischen Bergbauermuseum (Palatine Mining Museum) in Imsbach and in the two visitor mines “Weiße Grube” ("White Mine") and “Grube Maria” ("Mine Maria") you can admire the variety of regional mineral resources. The montanhistorischen Rundwanderwege (path around the mines), with its numerous info boards about the mining history, can be walked all year round on your own or with a guided tour.

Pfälzisches Bergbauermuseum
Imsbach e.V.
Ortsstraße 2
67817 Imsbach
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Phone (06302) 60 20

Rewind the film, take the camera to be developed, and then wait for the holiday or family photos.

Such was the activity of taking photos in the pre-digital age. The Photo Museum Winnweiler authentically reminds guests of this era, as it’s housed in in the building of a former photography business. The rooms - reception, studio, photo shop - are all still furnished as they would have been around 1950/60. Through its 13 showcases, the museum shows off its historical camera and photo accessories collection that chronicles the development of analog photography.

Fotomuseum Winnweiler
Falkensteinerweg 2
67722 Winnweiler
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Phone (063 01) 12 56 - during opening times (0 63 02) 20 32
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Open 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month 2 pm - 5.30 pm
Groups tours possible by appointment

The Palatine mountains are made up of rocks that are around 300 million years old. The Urweltmuseum Geoskop is dedicated to this prehistoric era, when Germany lay at the equator, volcanoes spat fire, and predatory fishes three meters long hunted in the ocean. Found at castle Lichtenberg, the museum offers original fossils, large dioramas, and showpieces that bring life back into this ancient time period. Especially unique is that the skeleton of the oldest dinosaur found in Germany was discovered just near the museum.

Geoskop Urweltmuseum
Burg Lichtenberg
Burgstraße 19
66871 Thalichtenberg
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Phone (0 63 81) 99 34 50
WEB
Open  April 1, through October 31, daily 10 am - 5 pm
Open November 1, through March 31, daily 10 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 5 pm
The museum is handicap accessible

The wonderful views of the Donnersberg and its idyllic ponds make up the preservation area "Sippersfelder Weiher.” At one of the four ponds (the Retzberg pond) the Retzberg hut stands as a cozy destination. You can leave everyday life behind here and enjoy real Palatine delights in the middle of the natural paradise. These treats are predominantly from the region—from Wednesday to Sunday, guests can enjoy original, seasonal cuisine in addition to being spoiled by original Palatine dishes. Take a deep breath and relax with one of the beer specialties.

Retzberghütte Sippersfeld
Am Weiher 1
67729 Sippersfeld
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Phone (0 63 57) 8 88 00 60
WEB
Open May 1, until September 30, Wednesday and Thursday 11.30 am - 5 pm and Friday-Sunday 11.30 am - 6 pm

Emperor Lothar, grandson of Charlemagne turned to his favourite monastery as a place of rest. He died in Prüm, in 855. Today, his remains are in the sarcophagus to the right of the high altar in the St Salvator Basilica. The adjacent abbey is also very historical. In 893, Prüm Urbar was created, one of the oldest legal documents in Germany listing all the property belonging to the Abbey of Prüm. The historical building is now used as a school. The Basilica is one of the most popular churches in the Eifel.

Prüm
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Tourist Information Prümer Land
Phone: 06551-505

On the outskirts of Prüm is an outdoor sculpture park by the brothers Hubert and Alfred Kruft. An imaginatively designed landscape with sculptures of life-sized birds such as eagles, depicted in bronze or copper.

Fountain and sculpture park
St.-Vither-Straße 62
54595 Prüm
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Phone: 06551 2214
WEB
Distance from Spangdahlem 45 km

The quality hiking trail around Bruchmühlbach-Miesau is made up of two interesting landscape formations: Sickinger Höhe, with its legends, myths and ancient mill culture, and the extensive moors of the Westricher Moorniederung. The approximately 16 kilometer route harmoniously combines natural and cultural history – with 12 informative signs spread along the trail guiding the way.

Touristikbüro
Am Rathaus 2
66892 Bruchmühlbach-Miesau
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Phone (06372) 9 22 01 06
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Located in the picturesque Prüm Valley, Biersdorf’s reservoir, known locally as ’Stausee,’ is the holiday oasis of the southern Eifel. The 35 hectare lake allows one to take part in the many leisure activities such as fishing, rowing, walking, wind-surfing and paddleboating. The five kilometre long walking path that surrounds the lake are also illuminated at night and invite one for a tranquil stroll. During the first weekend of August, Stausee’s annual festival with fireworks takes place. Many cafés, pubs and restaurants can be found in the vicinity.

Stausee Bitburg
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The famous Pop-Art artist James Rizzi was very passionate about inspiring people with his craft. The Rizzi gallery picks up on that and has left its mark on the scene. The glass facade of the former shoe-factory is a spectacular sight – a real “Rizzi” dazzles. On the inside, the art gallery and the fashionable restaurant-café attract many visitors. With its many choices for breakfast and its seasonal cuisine, the restaurant is worth a visit by itself.

Unicorn Art Lounge, Galerie
Rupprechtstraße 9
66954 Pirmasens
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Phone (0 63 31) 1 49 67 32
WEB

From 50-450 AD, the Roman Vicus Eisenberg, located on the army road spanning from Metz to Mainz, was a center for iron-works. Since 1992, State archaeologists have regularly carried out excavations here. Highlights in this “Roman Park” include an original Roman cellar with heating system, two ovens, a sarcophagus, a large furnace, and a barbecue pit among others.

Tours open to the public are organized regularly, and every two years a Roman festival is held.

Verbandsgemeinde Eisenberg
Hauptstraße 86
67304 Eisenberg
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Contact: Jürgen Stutzenberger
Phone: (0 63 51) 40 74 40
WEB

The rose garden gives Zweibrücken the melodious moniker “Rosenstadt” (city of roses) which is its badge of honor. With good reason, because the park is Europe’s biggest rose garden. Starting in April, the dreamy seas of flowers and incomparable aromas coax garden enthusiasts and knights of the rose in this beautiful park. Apart from rose arrangements, lush rhododendron and azalea fields, blooming perennial beds and exotic trees cast a spell on visitors. The family-friendly rose garden is open all year round.

Rosengarten
Rosengartenstraße 50
66482 Zweibrücken
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Phone (0 63 32) 47 93 30
WEB

The town of Saarburg lies in the bend of the Saar River and it is surrounded by vineyards and verdant forests. The town’s landmark is the castle dating back to 964 which overlooks the valley. The main attraction inside the city is a waterfall, cascading over rocks and then plunges more than twenty meters in the depth. The city has many crooked narrow streets with numerous small bridges. Even the small fishing houses in the Old City are very picturesque. In addition, the city offers extensive leisure facilities including boat tours, bob sledge, an extensive culinary delights and of course a wealth of excellent Riesling wine.

Saarburg
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Tourist Information Saarburg 
Graf-Siegfried-Straße 32
54439 Saarburg
Phone: 06581 995980
WEB
Distance from Spangdahlem 75 km

Rising a tall seventy meters high, the sandstone formation Jungfernsprung sits high above the health resort Dahn. Legend has it that a beleaguered maiden, fleeing from a Hallodri, plunged into the depths and survived the jump. Today, the rock formation is not only a landmark of the city, but a popular climbing and excursion destination: pause at the summit cross and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mighty castles Alt-Dahn, Grafendahn and Tanstein as well as the fabulously beautiful landscape of the south western Palatinate. Please do not imitate the maiden.

Verbandsgemeinde Dahner Felsenland
Schulstr. 29
66994 Dahn
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Phone 0 63 91 91 96 00
WEB