Open Monument Day® in the Palatinate
Open Monument Day is celebrated throughout Germany. Our neighbors in the Palatinate are also taking part with exciting guided tours, inviting visitors to special events and opening the doors of otherwise closed historical sites. A trip there is worthwhile for anyone who wants to experience history up close.
Program in the Palatinate
, Germersheim Historic Cemetery
Program
Guided Tour of the Historic Cemetery
The tour takes you through the historic cemetery in Germersheim. Along the way, you'll hear some interesting stories.
Time: 13:00 - 13:30
Meeting place: Cemetery entrance
Organized by: Tourism Office
Accessibility: partially barrier-free
Weather dependency: takes place outdoors, without the possibility of shelter
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The Germersheim Cemetery dates back to 1834 and offers a wonderful setting for experiencing culture, art, and local history from an unusual perspective.
Hours: 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Address: August-Keller-Str. 34 | 76726 Germersheim
Accessibility: Germersheim South/Nolte
Website: www.germersheim-erleben.eu
St. James Church
Program
Guided Tour of St. James Church
The tour is conducted by the tourism office and provides historical background on the church.
Time: 5 :00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Meeting place: Entrance to St. Jakobus Church
Organized by: Tourism Office
Accessibility: partially barrier-free
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The foundation walls of the Catholic parish church of St. James date back to the 14th century and still clearly reveal elements of Gothic architecture. The crypt has been open to the public since 1976.
Hours: 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Address: Klosterstraße 13 | 76726 Germersheim
Accessibility: Germersheim Center/Rhine
Weißenburg Gate
Program
(1) KunstTour - Modern art in the fortress city
Contemporary art is just as much a part of Germersheim as the fortress. A wide variety of fascinating, inspiring, and surprising art objects and sculptures invite you to embark on a journey of discovery.
Time: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Meeting point: Weißenburger Tor bridge
Organized by: Tourism Office
Accessibility: partially barrier-free
Weather dependency: takes place outdoors, without the possibility of shelter
(2) Fortress Tour
With the construction of the Royal Bavarian Fortress from 1834 to 1861, Germersheim experienced a period of great progress and prosperity that set the stage for the future. Even today, the town is characterized by its impressive and well-preserved fortress buildings.
Time: 15:00 - 15:30
Meeting point: Weißenburger Tor bridge
Organized by: Tourism Office
Accessibility: partially barrier-free
Weather dependency: takes place outdoors, without the possibility of shelter
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The Weißenburger Gate was once a city gate of the Germersheim fortress, which was built between 1834 and 1861. Designed according to the plans of Professor von Gärtner of Munich, the Weißenburger Gate is one of the most beautiful and noteworthy structures in the fortress complex.
Opening hours: 10:00 - 17:00
Address: Europaplatz 1 | 76726 Germersheim
Directions: Rhein/Mitte Train Station, "An der Grabenwehr" parking lot
Website: www.germersheim-erleben.eu
Germersheim City and Fortress Museum at the Ludwigstor
Program
(1) Leadership
The historic Ludwigstor was not only a city gate but also part of the Germersheim fortifications. This massive structure, built of brick masonry, is 73 meters long and has two wings facing the city, each 20 meters long. Casemate-style rooms, with their ceilings supported by sturdy arches, are distributed across two stories. Beneath the simple wooden roof lies a layer of sand and earth several meters thick, which was intended to cushion the impact of cannon fire and could not be set ablaze.
Time: 12:00 - 12:30 & 14:00 - 14:30
Meeting place: Entrance to the City and Fortress Museum
Realization: Frauke Vos-Firnkes
Accessibility: not barrier-free
Children's program: Yes, museum scavenger hunt with interactive stations and arts and crafts activities
Refreshments: Sheet cakes and beverages (coffee, tea, water, apple juice spritzer)
(2) Book and Flea Market
The Historical Society of the Palatinate (Historischer Verein der Pfalz e.V.), Germersheim Chapter, is hosting a small book and flea market. The proceeds will go to the City and Fortress Museum to help redesign its permanent exhibition.
Time: 11:00 - 17:00
Meeting place: Entrance to the City and Fortress Museum
Realization: Frauke Vos-Firnkes
Accessibility: partially barrier-free
Weather-dependent: takes place outdoors, with the option of sheltering under cover
Children's program: Yes, museum scavenger hunt with interactive stations and arts and crafts activities
Refreshments: Sheet cakes and beverages (coffee, tea, water, apple juice spritzer)
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The City and Fortress Museum is located in the historic Ludwigstor gate of the former Germersheim Fortress, which was built between 1834 and 1861, and is hosting a special exhibition on the theme “Germersheim. Rudolf of Habsburg and the Granting of City Rights in 1276,” as Germersheim will celebrate the 750th anniversary of its city rights in 2026. The exhibition can be viewed on Open Monument Day.
Completed in 1840, the gate complex served as the entrance to the town of Germersheim from the northwest and west.
Opening hours: 11:00 - 17:00
Address: Ludwigsring 2 | 76726 Germersheim
Accessibility: Germersheim main station
Website: www.germersheim.eu