Located in the southwestern part of the country, Kaiserslautern, Germany is an historic city that dates back to the 9th century. It is in the Bundesland of Rhinlenad-Palatinate right on the edge of the Palatinate Forest, which is part of one of the largest biosphere forests in the world. This city is within easy reach of Paris and Luxembourg and is small by city standards with a population of just under 100,000. There is an American base here as well and the military personnel called the city K-town.



Archaeological evidence shows that there was settlement in this area as far back as 800 B.C. and Celtic tombs that are at least 2500 years old have been uncovered. The name of the town came from The Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa who loved to hunt in the region. He built two castles here, the ruins of which can still be seen. The oldest church in the city, the Stiftkirche, dates back to the 13th century and St. Martin's Church dates back to the 14th century. At one time there was a wall around the city, as was common in medieval times, and a portion of this wall is still standing in the churchyard of St. Martin's.

Kaiserslautern is a modern city with a well-known university. There are many attractions for visitors and a wealth of accommodations to choose from. If you love nature and wildlife, you won't have to venture beyond the city to enjoy your fill of both. Betzenberg Deerpark is an area of 63 acres that is home to the game species of the area. One of the most prominent landmarks in the city is City Hall, which is 84 meters tall.

Every member of the family will have an enjoyable day at the Kaiserbrunnen where you will see architecture portrayed in a humorous way. It has been described as a three-dimensional storybook in the way the people and history of the city are displayed. Here you can learn the story of the fish as a heraldic creature and see the Elwedritsche - a small mythical creature often portrayed in German stories.

Climb up the slopes of Humbergturm to have a panoramic view of the city. The 17 acres of Kaiserslautern Zoo houses about 60 different species of animals. There is a playground for the children on this site as well as a restaurant where you can have a snack or a meal. Explore the impressive Casmir Castle where the hunters from the Middle Ages rested up from the day in the Palatinate. It was built in the 16th century, but there are traces of the much older fortress that had been on this cite.

One of the most impressive locations in the city is the Japanese Gardens. Here you can experience a touch of the Far East in Europe. This is one of the most beautiful parks in Europe with the stone arrangements, gardens of flowers and shrubs, waterfalls, tea houses and moss gardens. If you are looking for a place where you can have total relaxation on holiday, then this is the location for you.