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Annweiler at the foot of Trifels Castle will honor Richard the Lionheart of Brittany with a medieval fest July 28 to 30.
The event will feature a medieval market, Viking camp, knights’ camp, vendors, jugglers, children’s activities and musical presentations in the historical part of Annweiler.
Market activities with more than 80 stands in the streets will begin at 6 p.m. July 28.
After the opening parade with participants at 7 p.m., the medieval group Musica Conora will perform on old instruments. Jugglers and artists will entertain the audience. A fire show is scheduled for 10:15 p.m.
Vendors will sell clothes, glass and leather items, pottery, jewelry, swords, soap and spices.
Craftsmen such as a turner, potter, goldsmith, stonecutter, glass blower, broom maker, weaver and tailor will demonstrate former skills.
Medieval food and drinking specialties will include salmon, game, roasted meat specialties, wild potatoes with herb sauce, oriental specialties, pancakes, apple juice, berry wine, mead, beer and liquors.
July 29, festivities will continue from 12:30 p.m. to midnight. Again a fire show will be presented at 10:15 p.m.
On July 30, the fest will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On both days, children can watch puppet theater performances, take a ride on a medieval merry-go-round, take part in crafting and face painting and try out archery. Jugglers and magicians will demonstrate their special skills. The knights’ group, Pfalzritter, will perform show fights from 5 to 5:45 p.m.
Daily tickets cost €6. Children under 12 are admitted free. Visitors in medieval costumes pay reduced prices. On July 28 admission is free.
The English king, Richard, the Lionheart, was a prisoner at Trifels Castle in Annweiler from 1193 to 1194. German Emperor Heinrich VI captured him on his way back from the Holy Land. Richard had to stay in prison until the English paid an incredibly high ransom.
Trifels Castle still houses imitations of the former imperial insignia, crown, orb and scepter. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. February to March 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 16 through September, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. October through March. The castle is closed in December and January. Admission fee is €4.50 for adults and €2.50 for children.
Annweiler is located on federal street B10, between Pirmasens and Landau. Parking will be limited. Trains will operate from Kaiserslautern via Pirmasens to Annweiler.
For more information about the Richard-Loewenherz-Fest, visit www.richard-loewenherz-fest.com.
