Seelbach Between Open-Air Theatre and Castle Ruins

Open-Air Theatre and Market Traditions

Every September, the Seelbach Open-Air Festival transforms the monastery garden into an open-air stage. The open-air theatre premiered in the grounds of Dautenstein Castle. A year later, it moved to the monastery garden in front of the civic center; performances have been held there annually ever since. If you are interested in outdoor theatre, September is therefore a special time to plan your trip.

Another recurring event is the Kätterlismärkt in November. The three-day market attracts up to 20,000 visitors each year. Traditional market stalls offer regional delicacies. November in Seelbach is thus also a time for market activity and regional food culture. The open-air festival and the market bring different highlights to the calendar: September features performances in the monastery garden, while November is all about market stalls and culinary discoveries.

Castle Ruins and Architectural History

The Lützelhardt Castle Ruins rise above Seelbach at an elevation of 461 meters and are the municipality’s oldest architectural monument. Their excavated foundations tell of three construction phases, revealing the transition from Romanesque to early Gothic styles. Anyone interested in the history of architecture will find tangible traces of different eras here, rather than just a single historic name.

The Hohengeroldseck Castle Ruins are also nearby, towering above Seelbach in the Schutter Valley. They are a destination for hikers, families and history enthusiasts. Guided tours of the ruins last about 90 minutes. The Konrad Chapel is also nearby: it stands high above the valley at the edge of the forest and offers views of the Geroldseck and Lützelhardt castle ruins, as well as the village of Seelbach.

The Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul stands in Wittelbach, a district of Seelbach in the Schutter Valley. It is one of the region’s last surviving Romanesque choir-tower churches. It was first consecrated in 1132; its tower dates from the 13th century and is early Gothic. The Geroldseck Weapons Forge also makes the area’s history tangible: first mentioned in official records in 1280, it once used water power alone to make weapons for the knights of nearby Hohengeroldseck Castle.

Trails for Different Kinds of Vacation Days

For outdoor exercise, the Active Park starts at the “Tretenbach” parking lot in Seelbach and ends at the footbath in Wittelbach. There are eight outdoor fitness machines along the park, suitable for all age groups. You can think of the park as an activity in its own right; the stated starting and ending points also help you find your way along the route between Seelbach and Wittelbach.

There are three Nordic walking routes around Seelbach. They all start at the sports field, but differ in length and difficulty. This lets you choose a route to suit your preferred level of challenge, as the routes do not all offer the same degree of difficulty. If you would rather go with a group, you can join the regular guided hikes offered by the local branch of the Black Forest Association.

The Geroldseck Quality Trail is 34.4 kilometers long and connects Lahr-Reichenbach, Seelbach and Wittelbach with the ridges of the central Black Forest. It passes two castle ruins and historic forges before reaching a nature reserve. The route therefore takes in both cultural history and nature. If you are deciding how to spend your vacation, this trail is a good option for combining your stay with a longer hike.

Another option for an outing is the 1.5-kilometer nature trail in the Litschental valley. It is suitable for strollers and ends at the historic Geroldseck Weapons Forge. Its specific length and endpoint make it easy to distinguish this route from the longer hiking options and choose a suitable focus for the day.

More destinations: Offenburg, Kappelrodeck, Wolfach, Ringsheim, Kappel-Grafenhausen, Lauf, Berghaupten and Schwanau.

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