Halloween
This is a rare opportunity to see over 6,000 Myotis myotis ‘Greater Mouse-eared’ bats (the largest colony in Germany) that live in the Steeger Saint Anna church located adjacent to the Fledermaus Gasthaus and Winery. The bats exit their nest for about 45 minutes around sunset each evening from May to the end of October. Mouse-eared bats spend their days sleeping in caves, buildings or mines (the Steeg bats prefer the Saint Anna church tower). The Steeg bats usually awake from their slumber and around 6 p.m. fly from the belfry in search of a meal (mostly moths and beetles). According to the Wildlife Fact File, IM Pub, U.S., Myotis myotis bats were common throughout Europe until the 1950s and were feared to go extinct due to loss of habitat (their caves have been disturbed by spelunking, tourism, garbage disposal and vandalism). They are also sensitive to insecticides. The sprays kill off the insects on which the bats thrive. Baby bats are usually born between April and July and live up to 22 years in the wild.
In the winter the bats fly up to 6 miles to caves where they hibernate during cold months. The Steeg bats inhabit tunnels left vacant from the local slate mining industry. In Europe, bats are protected under the Wildlife Order of 1985 that makes it illegal to intentionally kill or injure, handle, disturb their roosting place or possess a bat (alive or dead). It is allowed to nurse a hurt bat then set it free. Sonja Theobald-Zahn says that there is no worry when you stay at her pension called the Fledermaus (which means “to the bat”). “You don’t have to sleep in a coffin or eat garlic,” she chides. Her charming inn is located just steps away from the church steeple where the bats live and is the site of the Fledermaus winery. Visitors may sample the excellent wine produced on the premises (complete with a bat on the label). The building offers a beautiful view of the family’s private vineyards and the bat’s belfry. ––AV
Frankenstein Bash
If you are looking for a good scream this Halloween, the Burg Frankenstein is the place to be. The festival will be held in all forms of inclement weather, but umbrellas are not allowed into the castle so dress appropriately. If you have children and still want to visit the castle, but with less terror, there will be a Family Day held every Sunday from 2-7 p.m. Tickets for the Halloween festival can be purchased at the entrance of the castle or online.For more information about Halloween at Burg Frankenstein or purchasing tickets logon to www.halloween-burgfrankenstein.de/.
The Burg Frankenstein, located 3 miles south of Darmstadt, is one of the most famous lliterary landmarks in history not to mention the spookiest. It dates back to the 13th century and is rumored to be the inspiration of Mary Shelly’s classic horor novel, Frankenstein written in 1818. Though Shelly stated that the source of the name “Frankenstein” came from a dream, many still speculate that the real inspiration came from the castle, or Burg Frankenstein, that she had seen while aboard a boat before the novel was written. The true origin of the Frankenstein monster and his mad-scientist creator may never be determined, the castle itself still maintains an eerie and haunting feeling especially during Halloween when the grounds of Burg Frankenstein come alive with ghouls, ghosts and monsters. Every year the Burg Frankenstein hosts a Halloween Festival honoring the story of Frankenstein. In fact, the concept for the frightful festival was created by an American Soldier stationed in Darmstadt. Germany and has been a town tradition ever since. Now that you know the history of this creepy castle enter the castle grounds if you dare but be prepared for a scare for the castle is crawling with over 60 living monsters waiting to taunt and terrorize you to death. Not literally of course, but the monsters will do anything to give you a good scare so don’t be alarmed if they get close to you or even touch you. There are live performances that include the depiction of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein story and mock performances at the Burg gallows. — JM
Stinky Seine sewer system
According to the Environmental Literacy Council, the Paris sewer system has been a tourist attraction since the World Exposition of 1867. The sewer lines follow the outline of the city streets above, like a map, all the way down to the street signs. Basically, each Parisian street lies atop its own corresponding sewer line (1,300 miles total). Part of the sanitary system has been turned into a museum that tourists may visit. Visitors can discover the tunnels (which are relatively large, about the size of a subway tunnel). Main conduits, sufficiently wide and deep enough for a boat (and large enough for pedestrians), are the main thoroughfares for waste and water. The same tunnels house the city’s fresh water pipes, phone lines and the like. All of the city’s sewage used to be dumped into the Seine back in 1802 when the population of Paris was 700,000 “sent peu” as they would say in French (smells a little)! Worse yet, Parisians depended on the river as their source for drinking water. No wonder the cholera epidemic of 1832 killed 30,000 people. Finally, in 1854 the sewer system was redesigned (by Eugène Belgrand) using gravity and the land’s natural slope to evacuate waste from the city. The design has catch basins that trap solids (removed via truck).—AV
Creepy Capuchin Crypt
This church is the site of a most bizarre attraction: a crypt that contains the remains of 4,000 human bones and skulls arranged in an unabashed and flamboyant manner. Nailed to the wall and designed in patterns, the remains of these deceased monks give new meaning to interior decorating. There are many theories as to who did the decorating and why. One legend is that it was the work of a criminal (with a predisposed taste for the macabre) that was protected from punishment for his crimes by being hid away in the church by the merciful friars. Another theory is that it was the work of a bored neurotic monk with a certain predisposition for neatness. Some say French Capuchins did the work, imitating the catacombs of Paris. The Marquis de Sade visited the crypt in 1775 and thought it was created “by a German priest who lived in this house” and it seemed to Sade to be “An example of funerary art worthy of an English mind.” No matter what the crypt’s origins were, there is no denying its macabre popularity as a creepy, skin crawling Halloween destination. — AV
Swim With Alligators and Sleep Like Elvis
Forget haunted houses this Halloween. In the quiet village of Ockstadt, the largest collection of reptilian beasts in Europe slithers indoors through over two million liters of water. The Krokodilzoo (or the anglicized and quirky name, Alligator-Action-Farm) is home to over 36 American alligators, several crocodiles, an assortment of pythons (over 12-feet long) and iguanas. Oh, don’t forget the giant tarantulas. Luckily, these critters are tamed so you can enjoy their tricks and not worry about becoming the treat. The Alligator Action Farm prides itself in giving visitors up close and personal access without all of the glass, bars, and other useful safety measures at less exciting zoos. In fact, for a hefty 300 euro, you can even swim with the alligators (memento video recording included). More budget-conscious visitors won’t be disappointed, though. There are plenty of gators and critters to touch. Although it is getting colder outside, the farm is open year round and is heated. Call (06031) 687-697 to make your reservation or visit www.alligator-action-farm.de. ––DT
Grave of Anneliese Michel in Klingenberg
You would never guess from the looks of this quintessential wine country village along the banks of the Main River, but quaint Klingenberg has a very creepy past. It was here that 23-year old Anneliese Michel died in 1976 after undergoing a series of officially sanctioned exorcisms. Anneliese believed she was possessed by Lucifer, Adolf Hitler, Judas Iscariot, and others. According to Washington Post reporter Eric Hansen, who listened to audiotapes of the exorcisms in 2005, her voice “can still send shivers up your spine,” and “is the voice of a demon, growling, barking, inhuman – and surprisingly like Linda Blair in The Exorcist.” In fact, the 2005 American horror film, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, is based on the Klingenberg exorcism – albeit grossly sensationalized. For many in this traditional Bavarian village, fact is stranger than fiction, as many sincerely believe Anneliese was indeed possessed by the devil. Her grave has turned into a pilgrimage site for those offering prayers for her soul (she was, after all, remembered as a pious youth). While there, look for a bright yellow house with a crucifix affixed to it. It is in that house where the exorcism took place. You may even meet Anneliese’s mother at her gravesite on Thursdays. ––DT
Experience Body Worlds…live?
This is one very creepy and unique attraction in Europe. It’s so creepy, we debated whether or not to include it – but you can decide whether or not to visit the Body Works Plastinarium in Guben, Germany.
As you may know, Body Works is one of the most successful traveling exhibitions in history with dozens of real human bodies stripped of their skin with their organs transformed into plastic. The exhibition has wooed visitors from London to Portland, Oregon and was even featured in the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale. But at the Plastinarium in Guben, you can actually observe the transformation of human cadavers undergoing the plastination process (tissues are pumped with polymers displacing water and fat that later harden). It is not a mere spectacle, though. Plastination has ethical and viable uses in education, surgery training, and research. There are also less disturbing displays suitable for younger people such as anatomy cross-sections of humans and animals. In fact, German school classes visit the Plastinarium regularly – so it can’t be that bad. Or is it? ––DT
Explore a world record underworld
Definitely a fun stop on a family vacation, the Grotta Gigante near Trieste is the world’s largest cave accessible to tourists (according to the Guiness Book of World Records). Your dedicated writer recently descended into the chilly depths of this gigantic cave for an hour-long guided tour (in English) in what seemed like a eerily-lit, massive cathedral deep beneath the earth. With a huge basilica towering over 320 feet over visitors at the bottom of the cave, the Statue of Liberty (pedestal and statue stand over 305 feet) could also stand upright in the cave with a few feet to spare. The centerpiece of the cave is the “palm stalagmite.” This huge stalagmite stands several meters high and looks like a palmetto tree trunk. Unlike the palmetto tree, the palm stalagmite grows only a few millimeters every 20 years, so you have plenty of time to see it. ––DT