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Celtic Village
The Celtic village in Steinbach, at the bottom of the Donnersberg hill, is open until November to visitors interested in history.
***image1***The village consists of six buildings which give a good idea about the craftsman’s techniques the Celts used to build their houses. There are wooden post and half-timbered constructions, which were made with the help of corresponding tenons in the traditional timber-frame technique.
Wooden shingles were used for the roof and the facades were plastered with clay. The buildings are equipped differently so that life-sized figures in Celtic costumes, a loom, a Celtic bedroom, household items, pottery and a smithy with adequate tools can be seen.
The observation tower, which is 11.5 meters high, provides a spacious platform at the height of about eight meters, from where visitors can enjoy the view of the Donnersberg – the highest mountain in the Palatinate.
Guided tours inform visitors about life, work and faith of the people who lived here more than 2,000 years ago.
During the weekends, alternating activities such as archery, felting, the construction of arrows, the production of clay pearls or Celtic music are offered in addition to the guided tours. Thus, children can approach the history of the Celts in a playful and creative way.
The hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and German holidays. Groups can request guided tours on weekdays. During the week, half-day and all-day programs, which are especially organized for groups of at least 15 people (children and adults), allow an insight into Celtic craftsmanship techniques, which visitors can test themselves.
The admission fee is €4 for adults, €2 for children (under 12), €10 for families and €3 per person for groups of at least 15 people. Half-day and all-day programs are offered on request. For programs and more information, contact
Donnersberg-Touristik-Verband, Uhlandstrasse 2, 67292 Kirchheimbolanden; phone: 06352-1712; fax: 06352-710-262; e-mail: touristik@
donnersberg.de or call the Winnweiler union community administration office at 06302-60240. The Celtic village Web site is www.keltendorf-steinbach.de.
***image2***Celtic Garden
A few minutes away from the Celtic village is the Celtic garden. Here, visitors can experience the flora and fauna of the Donnersberg area. Signs give information about the presence and importance of the different plants and animals and the agriculture and culture of the Celts. Children can enjoy several play areas. Tours are also offered. Opening hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Steinbach is located northeast of Winnweiler; travel north on B40 and pass Sembach and Börrstadt.
Mining
Another tourist attraction in the area is the adventurous mining world (Bergbauerlebniswelt) in Imsbach. Mining has a long tradition in the Pfalz; in some areas it goes back to Celtic times.
Different raw materials were produced here. The Palatinate Mining Museum and the two mines called “Weisse Grube” – white mine – and “Grube Maria”– Maria’s mine – show visitors the variety of natural resources and take them into the world of minerals. Bergbauerlebniswelt is open 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and German holidays. Imsbach is located west of Steinbach.
