Falkenstein Castle hosts medieval festival

Visitors of the Falkenstein Castle ruins will feel like they are being taken back into the 13th century during a medieval festival Saturday and Sunday.

The event will feature a knights camp with knights presenting show fights. A medieval market with about 30 craftsmen and vendors will  open at 10 a.m. each day.

There will be blacksmiths, turners, potters, glass blowers, stonemasons and painters showing off their craftsmanship arts. Vendors will also sell merchandise from the middle ages such as clothes, leather items, weapons, jewelry, arts and herbs. For the first time, medieval fashion will be presented at 5 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Musicians will play on historical instruments and dance groups will perform for audiences. Jugglers will entertain the audience and show off their acrobatic skills. Children can listen to fairy tales, try archery and participate in skill games.

Market activities will start at 10 a.m. Saturday. The official market opening with the walk-in parade of participants and tapping the first keg of beer will be at 2 p.m.

A tavern play followed with all artists will be held at 8 p.m. followed by a fire show with JoMamaKü. The play will be presented a second time at 7 p.m. Sunday before the market ends at 8 p.m.

Admission fee for adults is €5. Visitors in medieval costumes and students pay €3. Children shorter than a sword are admitted free.

A free shuttle bus will be available in the Falkensteiner Valley coming from direction Winnweiler and Imsbach.

Falkenstein Castle is north of Imsbach. To get to Falkenstein Castle, take the B-40, pass Sembach and Winnweiler and exit when reading the sign leading the way to Falkenstein.

For more information, visit  www.donnersberg-touristik.de or www.falkenstein-pfalz.de.