Katrin Lucas, who is Process Manager at wob AG, introduces us to her hometown of Viernheim in the third of our “24 Hours In” series. For those unaware, this city is located in southwest Germany, about 40 miles south of Frankfurt, and, according to Katrin, offers excellent coffee, shopping, and skinless bratwurst. And remember, there are more posts in the series.
Local people call Viernheim “Verne” or “Vänne”, and you have to have been born in Viernheim to be a true “Vernemmer”. Yet the maternity ward in Viernheim’s St. Josef Hospital has been closed for quite some time, which means that I’m one of the world’s last real Vernemmer, and it’s my pleasure to give you the lowdown on one of Germany’s lesser-known towns.
Breakfast: If you’re like me and you crave a great coffee to kick-start the day, look no further than Uromas Café. Classical and elegant, it’s like a Viennese coffee house. Or settle down for brunch at Café Rall, which has been a part of life in Viernheim for almost 80 years. (Ps. You can also pop back here later for cake, if you have a sweet tooth…)
Morning: Bus and train are a great way to get around the town, and if you are traveling with others, it makes sense to get a day ticket for the whole group. Given Viernheim’s location, close to cities such as Mannheim and Heidelberg, it’s worth taking advantage of this and heading out early to pay a visit to the castles in the area if you have the time. Alternatively, closer to home, Viernheim is particularly well known for its shopping center, the Rhein-Neckar-Zentrum—one of the largest in the area, attracting many visitors from other cities.
And if you do take that trip out, keep your eyes peeled for Mannheim’s special delicacy called Mannheimer Dreck—‘dirt of Mannheim’—which are, in fact, delicious gingerbread biscuits. But don’t worry if you can’t venture that far: These are also sold at the bakery in the Rhein-Neckar-Zentrum.
Midday: Worked up an appetite, and gingerbread biscuits not quite cutting it? Keep your eyes peeled for a Viernheim specialty known as “Skalbierte mit Pommes”—bratwurst without skin, plus chips. Alternatively, the restaurant Maximum serves a variety of dishes, so everyone can find something they like. There’s also a small beach here in the summer, so you can sit outside and soak up the rays as well as more of the town’s atmosphere.
Afternoon: After lunch, a short walk around the Viernheimer Waldsee is perfect for some quiet contemplation away from the hustle and bustle. As the name suggests, the small lake lies in the middle of the forest. There’s also a small adventure trail nearby, while Viernheim also boasts a real nature reserve, the Glockenbuckel, which is popular as a local recreation area. This is one of the most essential dry sandy areas in Hesse and is home to many rare animals and plants.
Late afternoon: You can’t let the day get away without seeing the church, the Apostelkirche Viernheim. If you’re in luck, you might be able to catch one of the guided tours at the Viernheim museum as well.
Dinner: A visit to Viernheim is not complete without checking out the Viernheim beer and live music scene. Or, if you want to push the boat out, there’s Johann’s where you can choose a delicious four-course menu in advance with matching wine accompaniment, starting with a fancy appetizer. There’s also great Italian food at Mammamia—and you can pick up a nightcap at Diaz, which boasts a huge cocktail menu and finger food if all these unique delicacies have left you no space for a slap-up meal in the evening. Then settle down in the cinema, right across the street—and snooze a little if you must. Prost!
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