Welcome to the Bavarian Millitary Community

32 Welcome to the U.S.Army Garrison Grafenwoehr. Vilseck is a historical charged town, with tower armored fortifications, a one-thousand-year-old mighty fortress, centuries old stately homes, glori- ous churches, pretty chapels, dreamy corners: Vilseck holds the tranquillity of a small town, grown in the Middle Ages, but is continuing its impressive old town image until today, and the experts in terms of cultural history and cultural assets certify an extraordinary quality. Vilseck also stands for rural idyllic scenes in dozens of villages, hamlets and solitudes; this is also “Oberpfälzer” (Upper Palatinate) charming hilly land- scape with many ponds, extensive for- ests, pristine nature with living space for many rare animals and plants. A wide network of well marked hiking trails encourages the visitor to chal- lenge also the surrounding areas of the historical center. The trails run through most of the 35 villages which belong to the city. But primarily they offer a walker a piece of earth with peculiar charm. From the gentle mountain ranges with its, in parts sloping valley borders, a gorgeous view, far into the country, is offered. The landmark of the city of Vilseck is the “Vogelturm”. The building is a part of the medieval city fortification and was the accommodation of the tower keeper. Nowadays it is used as the “Erste Deutsche Türmermuseum”, the First German Tower Museum, whose arrangements and equipments give a live impression about the meager life of a tower keeper in the Oberpfalz (Upper Palatinate). The museum is open from Fridays – Sundays, and on legal holidays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The oldest and most important histori- cal building in the city of Vilseck is the Castle Dagestein. The origin can be dated back to the year 930. The oldest, still preserved part is the ground floor of the Bergfried (Donjon), built around 1200. In the gate hall with its sandstone groined vault from the late Romanic timeframe, civilian marriages can be arranged. Whoever wants to say “Yes” up high over the roofs of the Old Town, can do so at the look-out of the castle tower. (Bergfried). Room for a wedding with historical ambient is available at the Zehentkasten (Tithe place), right next to the Castle Tower. The Donjon is open on Sundays and legal holidays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The historical ambient of the castle’s inner ward is suited for all kinds of events; like concerts, markets, Kirch- weih (festivity, usually related to the patron of the church) etc. The highlight of course is the “Ritterlager auf der Burg”, a knights camp at the castle, with numerous marketers, chandlers, craftsmen, jugglers, knights high on horses and maids who change the place to a medieval market. The Vilsaue between castle “Burg Dagestein” and Vils (river) is in close vicinity to the historical trade routes to Nuremberg, Bamberg, Eger, Pilsen and Prague. The green belt was an out- standing area for creating new ways along Land-Art-Works and other artist works. At a joint artists symposium 2015 in Vilseck six international artists (DE, US, CZ, CA, FI) faced up to the motto “The Golden Road - Artists con- strue historic routes”. The ways along the artworks anytime are open to public viewing. In front of the magnifi- cent backdrop of the “Burg Dagestein” rised idyllic oasis of calm along the river, elementariness places, a fitness course, a pavilion and a footbridge in the reeds. Vilseck has one of the best located outdoor pools in the Oberpfalz! It is equipped with a 50 meter pool, as well as a 3 meter and a 1 meter diving platforms. In the non-swimmers area guests can enjoy underwater massage jets, a water fountain. The wading pool for the little ones was just renewed and is embedded in ranking green. This is perfect for toddlers and their families not to be disturbed from other things going on and to relax. Besides swim- ming, there is a beach volleyball field, a sand soccer field and also a ping-pong table to be active. A well sorted kiosk offers food and drinks, which can be enjoyed at a big sun terrace. The sea- son starts depending on the weather on or around May, 1st and ends usually in the middle of September. The pool is open daily from 9.00 a.m. until 8.00 p.m. A visit in Vilseck is worth it Vilseck - Marketplace Art and Landscape Trail