Idar Oberstein ()
Idar-Oberstein is a “gem” of a city, literally. The city is filled with both actual gems and figurative ones such as castles, museums, historical monuments, eateries and more.
Learn Something
At the German Gem Museum (Deutsche Edelsteinmuseum), gems from all over the world are found in 10,000 exhibits across three floors and demonstrate the more than 500-year-old gem industry in the area. Along with gemstones, you will also find sculptures and crafted engravings. The German Mineral Museum (Deutsche Mineralienmuseum), presents jewelry from the 19th and 20th centuries across four floors of exhibits. The museum has recently acquired a collection of 50 sculptures crafted from rare minerals and metals created by the French artist-couple Claudius Barbat and Katherine Dimitri-Barbat. The Industrial Monument Jakob Bengel teaches you all about the 130-year-old industrial industry in Idar-Oberstein (say that five times fast). Learn all about jewelry products, techniques and materials from the region.
See Something
The Oberstein Castle is beautiful to see and tells the story of a community coming together. The Oberstein Castle was built in the 14th century and over the centuries was ravaged by war and age. Further disintegration and negligence led to major damage to the castle in the mid-20th century. In 1998, the citizens of Idar-Oberstein banded together and formed the Oberstein Castle Club which has since repaired walls and restored rooms for visitors. The Bosselstein Castle is more of an ancient ruin than an intact castle, but it is still a photographic scene that provides a great view of the town and is worth the hike to see.
Do Something
At the Steinkaulenberg Mine, meander through visitor tunnels and feel as if you are in a fairytale and dig for treasure. Children and adolescents can also go mining in the fields. (Registration is required for treasure hunting and field mining). Rent a paddle boat and watch a multi-media show about precious stones (available in English, German and four other languages) at the Weiherschleife Grinding.
Find Something
As you are exploring the area, there are five monuments you should keep an eye out for including fountains, statues and bridges. Make it a family game to see who spots all five first.
A person sits atop the Fountain at the Marketplace.
A spherical sight awaits you at the Fountain at the Gemstone Circle.
Deported and murdered Jewish citizens of Idar-Oberstein are memorialized at the Jewish Memorial.
A beautiful statue stands at the end of the Peter Drey Bridge.
Finally, see if you can spot the statue of Lorenzo the Ice Cream Man giving out his signature treat.
Eat Something
Das spießbratenhaus, Restaurant Alte-Kanzlei & Café Ratsstübchen provides a multi-page menu that ensures that there will be something for everyone. The featured Spießbraten is a large piece of seasoned meat, stuffed with onion and rested for 8 to 24 hours before being roasted on an open beech wood fire. Another choice is Eckstein Bar and Food, but this is one that you will want to leave the kids at home for. The very inappropriately titled food and drinks are not only delicious but also provide many immature giggles at the table.
Whether it is too cold to venture outside or unseasonably warm, there is something for everyone to spend a day in Idar-Oberstein.
