Schwetzingen
Schwetzingen is located about midway between Heidelberg and Mannheim. A stay in Heidelberg would be incomplete without a day trip to Schwetzingen. One could easily spend several hours strolling through the castle grounds. The city of Schwetzingen has a nice mix of shops, restaurants, coffeehouses, and other establishments to spend the rest of the day.
Tompkins Barracks is a 20 minute walk from Schwetzingen. Since World War II, thousands of Americans have spent time at Tompkins. I was stationed there in late 1970's and found Schwetzingen a very pleasant place to spend my free time.
Tompkins Barracks is a 20 minute walk from Schwetzingen. Since World War II, thousands of Americans have spent time at Tompkins. I was stationed there in late 1970's and found Schwetzingen a very pleasant place to spend my free time.
Transportation
By train, Schwetzingen is about 10 minutes away from Mannheim or Heidelberg and 60 minutes from Frankfurt. There is a bus stop, with service to Heidelberg or Mannheim, directly across from the castle at the marketplace.Depending on the number in you party it might be economical to use taxi service to and from Heidelberg or Mannheim.
Schwetzingen is a small city. Walking is the best way to see it. Public transportation to get around the city is available if you need it.
Schwetzingen - Asparagus Capital of the World
Schwetzingen claims to be the asparagus capital of the world. It is right in the middle of the the "Asparagus Triangle," between Heidelberg and Mannheim. The soil in Schwetzingen is light and sandy - just right for growing asparagus.
Schwetzingen is a busy little town during late spring, the height of the asparagus harvesting season. Asparagus is served more than forty different ways between all the restaurants in town. Asparagus sellers stack it high in the market square, just outside the gates of the castle.
The first weekend in May is Spargelfest (Asparagus Festival) - parades, banquets, and the crowning of an Asparagus King and Queen are the highlights.
Sculpture in the market square of a young girl helping her mother stack asparagus.
Schwetzingen is a busy little town during late spring, the height of the asparagus harvesting season. Asparagus is served more than forty different ways between all the restaurants in town. Asparagus sellers stack it high in the market square, just outside the gates of the castle.
The first weekend in May is Spargelfest (Asparagus Festival) - parades, banquets, and the crowning of an Asparagus King and Queen are the highlights.
Sculpture in the market square of a young girl helping her mother stack asparagus.
The Castle
The earlist record of Schwetzingen Castle is 1350 when Pfalzgraf bei Rhein was granted permission to reside there.
The castle was destroyed during the Thirty Years War and the Palatinatian succession war.
Construction on the building that stands today began in 1697. Aristocrats used the castle as a fishing retreat.
In 1720, Karl Philipp began using the castle as a second home.
Over time the gardens became very elaborate, filled with ponds, fountains, sculptures, temples, pavilions, bridges, and even a mosque. The gardens are among the world's most beautiful.
Pictures describe the gardens better than words. These are from my photo albums.
See my links to Flickr for more photos of the castle and gardens.
The castle was destroyed during the Thirty Years War and the Palatinatian succession war.
Construction on the building that stands today began in 1697. Aristocrats used the castle as a fishing retreat.
In 1720, Karl Philipp began using the castle as a second home.
Over time the gardens became very elaborate, filled with ponds, fountains, sculptures, temples, pavilions, bridges, and even a mosque. The gardens are among the world's most beautiful.
Pictures describe the gardens better than words. These are from my photo albums.
See my links to Flickr for more photos of the castle and gardens.
Tompkins Barracks
Tompkins Barracks is about a 15-20 minute walk from Schwetzingen. If you don't feel like walking, a bus stop is near Tompkins.
Tompkins was originally a headquarters for one of Nazi Field Marshall Rommel's panzer divisions. After the war it became an U.S. Army, Europe military installation. Tens of thousands of members of the U.S military have called it home. I was there from October 1975 until May 1978.
Tompkins was originally a headquarters for one of Nazi Field Marshall Rommel's panzer divisions. After the war it became an U.S. Army, Europe military installation. Tens of thousands of members of the U.S military have called it home. I was there from October 1975 until May 1978.
Link to Tompkins Barracks Photos
- Tompkins Barracks
- Maps, sketches and photos of U.S. Army installations near Heidelberg, including Tompkins Barracks.
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New Flickr Photos - Schwetzingen
schwetzingenapollote...
Black And White
Hotel In Schwetzinge...
Swans
Schlossgarten
Green experiment
Schwetzingen
Corner
Moschee
Idyll
New Flickr Photos of the Schwetzingen Castle
Schlossgarten
Green experiment
Schwetzingen
Corner
Moschee
Idyll
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Schwetzingen Schloss...
Schloss Schwetzingen
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Reader Feedback
JaguarJulie wrote...
Ya got me interested in visiting -- want to see Schwetzingen especially if it is the asparagus capital of the world.
Posted July 01, 2009
Lensmaster
louG
Stationed at Tompkins from 1956 to 1958..Been back to Schwetzingen 4times and just love it. So much to see. Going back in September this year.Have made many friends there and in Ketsch and can't wait to go back....Lou G.
Posted March 19, 2009
Lensmaster
drail45
spent 4 yrs in swetz. tompkins, great food an a beautiful,, was part of the 649th eng
Posted January 14, 2009
d-artist wrote...
I just did a painting of a water tower in Mannheim...great lens! 5*
Posted October 22, 2008
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