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Our next stop on our tour around Kaiserslautern County leads us to the Union Community of Weilerbach. We invite you to discover interesting and maybe not-so-well-known facts about your home away from home.
The current Union Community of Weilerbach consists of the individual towns and villages of Erzenhausen, Eulenbis, Kollweiler, Mackenbach, Reichenbach-Steegen, Roden-bach, Schwedelbach and Weilerbach as the administrative seat. The total union community has 14,300 inhabitants and an additional 5,000 members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community also call it their home.
Churches, a customs station and Bavaria
The town of Weilerbach was first mentioned in a certificate in 1214 when King Friedrich II granted Reinhard von Lautern patronage rights to the churches in Ramstein, Weilerbach and Spesbach. Throughout time Weilerbach was governed by various royal families, from 1559 to 1592 it belonged to Pfalz Lautern, then up to the 18th century was part of the Kurpfalz (Electorate Palatinate). At an intersection of roads the community also served as a customs station. After changing governments and under French rule from 1798 to 1814, it then became a part of Bavaria. After World War II Weilerbach became a separate community in the newly established State of Rheinland-Pfalz.
Wandering musicians
From the 18th to the early 20th centuries, employment was scarce in a rural area. Therefore, many talented musicians roamed the region playing music, often traveling with circuses and acrobats. Some even emigrated to the United States, where they formed the “Mackenbacher” music organization. It is noted that some became very successful and wealthy, and prestigious houses in Mackenbach are reminiscent of the wandering musicians and their legacy.
Heinrich Jacob from Mackenbach was one of the musicians to seek his fortune in the USA. He was rather successful under his artist name “Bill Henry” and his band called “Headliners.” One of his early band members, legendary Frank Sinatra, later became a world star. The Wandermusikanten Museum in Weilerbach has a diverse display of the life and times of the musicians and showcases Sinatra’s original trombone in its selection of artefacts.
A new medical complex for the KMC
The Kaiserslautern Military Community Medical Center is due to replace the existing facilities at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center built in 1953. Construction has been delayed but is expected to be completed by late 2027. The planned facility will include 120 patient rooms and a polyclinic, an administration tract, energy facilities and an entrance control point. A small section of the complex is located within the boundaries of neighboring Ramstein-Miesenbach.
Stalactites and Celtic findings
In 1911 two Erzenhausen residents discovered an abandoned stud when fetching water, now known as the Tropfsteinhöhle Erzenhausen (stalactite cave). The discovery was a sensation with a surprise being 20 centimeter long and 1- to 1.5-centimeter-thick stalactites that had formed over 200 years. When light shines onto them, this creates a spooky atmosphere and a flashlight and sturdy, waterproof shoes are necessary for a visit.
Findings indicate that there was a Celtic settlement near Weilerbach dating back to the late Hallstatt Era, about 620 – 450 B.C. During excavation work in 1875 a wagon grave was discovered along with a sheet metal ring, neck and arm rings out of bronze and wheel boxes and fittings. As the only cultural site of its kind in the Pfalz region, the Weilerbacher Wagengrab is a significant joint European Cultural Heritage site.
In the year 1874 another Celtic grave mound was discovered and based on the valuable grave goods, it is assumed that a prestigious man was buried there. The grave, dated back to about 400 B.C., now known as the “Fürstengrab von Rodenbach,” is considered to be the most significant finding north of the Alps during the La Tene Era, with its valuable golden arm bracelet and a ring. The “Rodenbacher Heidegericht” is an old place of jurisdiction found with 13 stone chairs. Twelve of them are in a circle and the somewhat larger one in the center, with its origin assumed in the Celtic period in Rodenbach.
Bikers, hikers and a cool refreshment
Numerous biking paths lead to Weilerbach and the vicinity. The Barbarossaweg from Worms to Glan-Blies, includes a section Mackenbach-Weilerbach-Rodenbach. The Pfälzer Land Radweg from Enkenbach to Altenglan, encompasses a section from Eulenbis/Pfeifertal-Weilerbach-Schwedelbach-Reichenbach-Steegen. https://www.weilerbach.de/tourismus/radwandern/
Hikers can enjoy the Pfälzer Musikanten Weg, a certified German hiking route, or Skulpturen Wanderweg Rodenbach, which is a route with 21 sculptures focused on Celts and water. It is also a partial section of the famous pilgrimage route Jakobsweg (Way of St. James) from Worms to Metz with the Jakob’s shell as directional symbol. https://www.weilerbach.de/tourismus/wandern/
If you have a green thumb and are interested in local fruit trees, you may also want to walk the Obstbaumlehrpfad Untere Pfeifermühle, an educational route that leads along orchards. Fruit trees have been an integral part of the landscape for centuries and served as a substantial means of nourishment.
Aqua lovers might enjoy a cool refreshment at the Waldfreibad Rodenbach located along the forest. The solar heated pool is equipped with a sports pool, diving boards, a “water experience area” with bubblers and a water mushroom and separate splash pool for small children.
The Entenweiher (duck pond) is a great place for a relaxed afternoon. It offers three playgrounds, a ropeway, benches and tables for a picnic, a water and sand pump with mill for children as well as a soccer field and basketball nets. A new “Bürgergarten” (garden for residents) is soon to be opened.
Museums and culture
Three museums invite you to step into the history of the area. The Reinhard-Blauth-Museum gives insight to history starting with prehistoric farming in the Neolithic period, to grave goods from the Celtic era up to daily life in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Wandermusikanten Museum showcases the life and times of the musicians, while the Beerenwei(n)museum displays artefacts focusing on the tradition of making wine out of a special type of pear only found in this area.
Festivals and fun
A farmer’s market takes place in June and the annual Weindorf (wine village) in August. The largest town festival “Kerwe” and a culinary wine hiking tour occur in September. The magical Weihnachtsdorf (Christmas village) highlights the holiday season at “Alter Bahnhof.”
Fun facts
The village Einsiedlerhof once belonged to the Weilerbach community. In a communal reform in 1932 it was added to the City of Kaiserslautern.
The union community has reached a milestone in becoming a “100 percent Zero Emission Village.” Residents are inspired to install state-of-the-art energy saving equipment, such as solar panels and the use of wind energy, and saving up to 50 percent electricity.
The highest wedding room in the Pfalz region is located in the Eulenkopfturm (tower) outside of Eulenbis. Imagine giving vows with a spectacular view over the Pfälzerwald, Sickingerhöhe, Potzberg and Donnersberg!
For more information, visit: https://www.weilerbach.de
