4 Best Sights in Bad Durkheim, The Pfalz and Rhine Terrace

One kilometer (½ mile) northwest of town lies the Heidenmauer, the remains of an ancient Celtic ring wall more than 2 km (1 mile) in circumference and up to 20 feet thick in parts. The remnants are on the Kastanienberg, above the quarry. Nearby are the rock drawings at Kriemhildenstuhl, an old Roman quarry where the legionnaires of Mainz excavated sandstone.

Overlooking the suburb of Grethen are the ruins of Kloster Limburg. Emperor Konrad II laid the cornerstone in 1030, supposedly on the same day that he laid the cornerstone of the Kaiserdom in Speyer. The monastery was never completely rebuilt after a fire in 1504, but it's a majestic backdrop for open-air performances in the summer months.

The massive ruins of 13th-century Hardenburg Castle lie 3 km (2 miles) west of Kloster Limburg (via B-37). In its heyday, it was inhabited by more than 200 people, but it burned down in 1794. In the visitor center there's an exhibit about the fascinating history of the castle, and various events are held here throughout the year, including a medieval fair in September.

This casino, which first opened in 1949, opens daily at 11 am for the slot machines, 3 pm for roulette, and 6 pm for poker; jacket and tie are no longer required, but tennis shoes, T-shirts, and shorts are not allowed. Be certain to bring your passport for identification; the minimum age is 18. On a sunny day, take a walk around the pebbled garden and down the steps into the beautiful Kurpark.