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It seems that riding was very important for the locals during the times of Prince Elector times. Or was it the riding schools for children? I didn’t find out but loved the cute little monument with the horse and the kids which looks more like a horse from a merry-go-round, especially with the bronze kids admiring it.
Fact is that this monument is outside of the town house, once built as a summer villa in 1842. The little piazza outside with the horse monument is called “Reitschulplatz” (horse riding school piazza) and is still being used as the place where Gleisweiler’s fun fair is being held. It is located directly at the entrance to the town, near the car park.
Location of Reitschulplatz on Google Maps.
© Ingrid D., August 2011.
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Updated Dec 23, 2011
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On the other side of Gleisweiler, or at the other end of the village towards the hills of Palatinate Forest, is the clinic which made the town well known in the past. Local MD Schneider had found out the healing properties of cold water and had built the first medical institution in this context here in Gleisweiler mid 19th century. The building must be impressive, given the photos on the website. It is still a medical institution now, but for neural and psychosomatic diseases. What makes the clinic extra special is the old garden, laid out during the time when the clinic was built. With the very mild climate an exotic collection of trees is growing here, among them near the entrance a giant redwood (or sequoia?) tree. We didn’t have time to explore more of the park, but it is open for visitors and also has a café inside. Have a look at the photos of the park on the clinic’s website: horizontal navigation “Impressionen” and then “Der Park”.
Location of park of Gleisweiler clinic on Google Maps.
© Ingrid D., August 2011.
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Updated Dec 23, 2011
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Another beautiful house in Gleisweiler is the Zehnthaus, in English most probably something like a Tithe House, a house which belonged to the ruler or church and where the tenth of harvest or other natural produces was being paid. The Zehnthaus was built in 1753. We only saw the upper part from the main street, with its lovely courtyard and Mediterranean plants like oleander trees inside. Today it belongs to the church and is being used as community house. In the basement, accessible from another, lower, street is a paper museum, which must be really exciting but it was sadly closed when we were there. On the website of the Paper Museum Gleisweiler I saw that it is closed for renovation and will reopen in 2012. Something to remember for me! Especially when I found photos of some exhibits on Picasa.
Location of Zehnthaus on Google Maps.
© Ingrid D., August 2011.
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Updated Dec 23, 2011
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Almost opposite of the Catholic church is Gleisweiler’s Protestant church. I liked this one much more maybe because of the soft yellow coloured sandstone material. But I definitely loved the small house next to it, most probably the priest’s house. It made a marvellous photo opportunity, especially from the fountain with the willow. Someone really loves gardening here!
We haven’t been inside because there is a fence with gate and it wasn’t open. But I have read that a nice modern art bronze cross is inside, a vine representing growth of life.
Location of Gleisweiler’s Protestant church on Google Maps.
© Ingrid D., August 2011.
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Updated Dec 23, 2011
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Gleisweiler’s Catholic church St. Stefanus is in the middle of town, a rather big and bulky looking building especially from the sides. It was built by Franz Wilhelm Rabaliatti, an Italian architect of 18th century who came to Germany and became court builder for Prince Elector Karl Theodor. He used yellow sandstone, which is rather unusual among the pink sandstone buildings in Palatinate. Inside it is also rather plain but the altarpiece is beautiful, in Rococo style. When we were there on a Sunday at approx. 11 in the morning, the church was open. But I didn’t see any sign about opening times so I assume it is open during the day, but of course it should not be visited when a mass is being held.
Behind the church a tower arises in darkish sandstone. This is the old choir belfry, of 14th century and the town’s landmark, visible from far away. Behind this belfry is a beautiful garden, although it looks a little bit wild grown. Nevertheless it is a beautiful sight!
Location of St.Stephanus Church on Google Maps.
© Ingrid D., August 2011.
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Updated Dec 23, 2011
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Gleisweiler is located approx. 10 km northwest of Landau and approx. 20 km south of Neustadt along Southern Wine Route. Coming by car, the car should be left outside of the village given the very rare parking space, which should be left for the residents. A quite big parking space it outside of the village, approx. 10 minutes by foot.
There is regular bus traffic to Gleisweiler with so-called Palatina Bus from either Neustadt or Landau. Line 501 drives regularly from Landau via Gleisweiler, Rhodt and Sankt Martin to Neustadt and from there back. Consequently, the bus needs only 20 minutes from Landau to Gleisweiler, but 40 minutes from Neustadt to Gleisweiler. Busses go hourly on weekdays and Saturdays and every two hours on Sundays. The bus schedule is on page 33 (right hand side) in the Southern Wine Route Flyer. Both, Landau and Neustadt have a train station with connections to almost everywhere. Only make sure to look for Landau Pfalz and Neustadt (Weinstrasse) when you look up schedules on Bahn website.
Location of parking space outside of Gleisweiler centre on Google Maps.
© Ingrid D., August 2011.
This is the end of my description of Gleisweiler and surroundings. Thanks for having followed my tour. If you wish, please return to my Intro page
Updated Dec 23, 2011
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The former village creek is almost still there, although no water is running anymore, except maybe during rainy season. It is located next to the main road through the village (Badstrasse, the street which leads to the “Bad” as in spa or the clinic, nothing to do with bad as in not good!), set away from the road. A footpath is next to it and it is indeed a very pleasant walk through the village, with oleander plants lining it. There is a small sign which says that this is also the so-called Parrpädel, Palatinate language for the priest’s path, which he took walking to church. It makes sense, because the footpath with the former creek leads from Zehnthaus (see to-do section), where the priest lived in the past, to the church.
© Ingrid D., August 2011.
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Updated Dec 23, 2011
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With sandstone being the most prominent building material in Palatinate, it was being used for decorating the centre of Gleisweiler with a beautiful fountain. The fountain head (if that is the correct name) looks like an old wise man who donates water. Around the fountain are other interesting sculptures of young girls, although... I must have been so fascinated by them that I completely forgot to take a photo. Next time! The water is no drinking water though!
When open, the small café nearby has tables and chairs on this little piazza next to the fountain and the Protestant church and given the flowers and the plashing of water it must be nice to sit there, have coffee and take in the very relaxed atmosphere.
Location of the sandstone fountain on Google Maps.
© Ingrid D., August 2011.
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Updated Dec 23, 2011
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Favorite thing: The village is often called “Palatinate’s Nizza (Nice)”, which refers to the very mild climate. Palatinate is blessed with mild climate in general, but the exposition of Gleisweiler to the south, hence more sun, and the protection by the raising hills above the village makes the climate most probably even more mild. An abundance of Mediterranean trees and plants grow here, wine grows everywhere on houses and between houses across the streets and oleander trees and these beautiful lantana plants like in my main photo.
Gleisweiler during summer is a feast for the eyes!
© Ingrid D., August 2011.
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Updated Dec 23, 2011
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Favorite thing: Although Palatinate wine is famous for many many years and centuries, I was positively surprised to learn that the most famous vineyard of the village, called Gleisweiler Hölle, is listed as one of the 10 best vineyards in southern Palatinate in Gault Millau. No wonder, the climate is exceptional, especially with an orientation towards south. In total it is 59 hectar of vineyards with 25 different types. The majority is Riesling.
© Ingrid D., August 2011.
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Updated Dec 23, 2011
Hidden Southern Palatinate jewel Gleisweiler
When we visited several of the small typical wine villages of southern Palatinate in between Neustadt (and der Weinstraße) and Landau, we also did a detour to see how we would like Gleisweiler. It...
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