WELCOME TO MUSICIAN’S COUNTRY

The rural district right around the small town of Kusel calls itself Musician’s Country. Do not expect a musician standing on every other corner, though. Rather, the name stems from the town’s old tradition of musicians, sometimes complete orchestras, making a living from going on tour through the better part of the world in order to feed their families back home in the meager quarters. Today, however, it pays off much more to visit than to leave the town – there’s so much to explore.

Lichtenberg Castle from the 13th century, among Germany’s largest castle remains, has more to offer than simply medieval flair, the Musician’s Country Museum for one. It displays the history of the touring musicians from western Palatinate. Occasionally, one of them even became successful abroad. Georg Drumm, for example, a native of Erdesbach, wrote "Hail America", the official ceremonial march of the White House.

The Wasserburg (Watercastle) is even older. Situated in Reipoltskirchen, it is one of the best preserved valley castles in the Palatinate. In the 12th century, the castle helped secure the Odenbach Valley. Quite possibly, there was also an important river crossing in the castle’s near proximity. The Wasserburg has been cautiously restored and revived by the county. Today, it houses a restaurant and a drawing school.

The Bike Handcars. What to do with a 25-mile railway track that no one needs anymore? It’s simple: continue to use it, just bring special carriages into play. On the tracks between Altenglan and Staudernheim you can experience a memorable tour through the Glan Valley. On special bike handcars, which are operated with pedals instead of a hand lever, the landscape displays its stunning beauty especially well. www.draisinentour.de

One of the Potzberg's (1,850 feet) attractions is its Wildlife Park. An area of 60 acres is home for all sorts of game, boars, and wild horses. A falconry performs air shows with eagles, vultures, and hawks and maintains a breeding program for birds of prey. Loop paths take you around the area and a wooden suspension bridge leads you to the bleachers overlooking the central feeding area. The Culinary Road is an association of producers and sellers of regional specialties, which you can enjoy in any local restaurant or in the House of the Culinary Road in Konken. The permanent farmer’s market held there proves that the regional delicacies, be it cheese, sausages, meat or high-quality liquors, do not fear any comparisons. www.haus-kulinarische-landstrasse.de

Tourist-Information
Trierer Straße 41
66896 Kusel
Tel: 06381 / 424 270
Fax: 06381 / 424 280
Email: touristinformation@kv-kus.de
www.kuseler-musikantenland.de