Annweiler roars for Lionheart

For the third time, Annweiler sponsors the “Richard-Löwenherz-Fest,” a medieval fest to honor Richard the Lionheart of Brittany today to Sunday.
The event features a medieval market, knights’ camp, vendors, jugglers and musical presentations.

The fest officially opens 8 p.m. today with a torch concert on the Rathausplatz in the historical old part of town. The market with about 60 vendors is open 5 to 11 p.m. Vendors sell toys, jewelry, weapons, swords, leather items, clothes, soap, ceramics, lamps, oil paintings, nuts, liquors, tea, herb wine, marmalade and honey. Craftsmen such as turners, smiths, potters, stonemasons, bow-makers and bone-carvers present their skills.

***image1***Medieval groups dance, sing and play music on old instruments. The group Dunkelschoen presents a concert 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

A knights group called Pfalzritter show how knights in the Middle Ages lived and how they fought.

Children can watch puppet theater performances and try archery. Jugglers and fire-eaters walk through the streets to entertain visitors. A falconry shows off some of its birds.

Stands with food and drink specialties are available as well. Saturday, the market is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Daily tickets cost €5, and the weekend ticket for three days is €8. Children under 12 are admitted free. Visitors in medieval costumes receive a discount.

The English king, Richard, the Lionheart, was a prisoner on Trifels Castle in Annweiler from 1193 to 1194. He was captured by German Emperor Heinrich VI on his way back from the Holy Land. He 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 6 p.m. April through October, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November through March. Admission fee is €2.50 for adults and €1 for children.

Annweiler is located on federal street B10, between Pirmasens and Landau. For more information about the Richard-Löwenherz-Fest, visit www.trifelsland.de or www.annweiler.de.