Culture
A few of the significant highlights which give Kraichtal its good reputation of being a cultural-minded community are: the museum festival in Gochsheim, the castle concerts, church concerts as well as the cultural fairs in Oberöwisheim and Unteröwisheim.
Historical events are remembered in exhibitions and book editions e.g. in memory of David Chytraeus’ 400th anniversary of death last year. Not to be forgotten are the numerous festivities of the Music and Cultural School, the Country and Museum Club, the local clubs and the various churches. Discover the cultural diversity of Kraichtal on these pages and don’t hesitate to ask for further information.
The Castle
Because of its noble history the Graf-Eberstein-Castle in Gochsheim offered the ideal location for the establishment of a museum. It served as a residence for the Earls of Eberstein till 1660 and then as a government centre for Duke Friedrich August of Württemberg-Neuenstadt . In those days the Castle establishment, which was built in the 16th century, used to be larger than today. The western part of the castle had to be pulled down in 1828/29 due to deterioration of the buildings. History and culture of the nine Kraichtal communities and the whole Kraichgau area are exhibited on the first floor of the Country Museum. A map showing the historical landscape drawn by the local artist, Agoston Patisti, can be seen in the "Kraichtal Room". Furthermore there are collections of prehistorical findings, and an information board regarding the history of the Kraichtal communities with numerous documents can be seen.
The "Knights’ Hall" serves as a venue for smaller events and contains pieces of art relating to the history of the Kraichgau Knights, e.g.: the coat of arms, family trees and pictures of tournaments. Closely connected to the Knighthood is the history of the Reformation and the Peasants’ War in the Kraichgau district. This is displayed in an extra room.
On the second floor a flat is set up with antique items which were used for the loungeroom, office, kitchen and bedroom.
In these rooms hommage is paid to the late Reverend Dr. Carl Krieger and the former Kraichtal research worker Dr. Otto Becher. Furthermore an elaborate work of the Heidelberg artist, Margarethe Krieger, can be seen. She used to be a student of the well known Kraichtal citizen Mr. Hubbuch.
On the ground floor of the castle the complete range of cooper tools and equipment, which belonged to the former master cooper, Friedrich Schroth from Bahnbrücken, are on display. The exhibition should leave an impression on future generations in regards to the work of this disappearing trade. The collection of the blacksmith’s set of tools nearby serves the same purpose.
The Kraichgau Library contains mainly literature about the history and culture of the Kraichgau area.. As well as the village chronicles there are books of: general history, church history, art and ethnical developments. The total inventory amounts to 5,000 volumes.