Weltenburg Monastery | Danube Gorge

Welcome to your route to Weltenburg Monastery. This route will take you through some parts of Abensberg and the small town itself, whose medieval origins are still visible. Along the way you will discover the unique cultural landscape of the region, characterised by its cultivation of asparagus. Once in Weltenburg you will reach the Weltenburg Monastery, located at the entrance to the romantic Danube Gorge.

In a few moments you will reach Offenstetten, the largest district of Abensberg, with about 2,000 inhabitants. This idyllic village has had a chequered history: after large parts of it were burnt down in the Thirty Years' War, it flourished again in the 17th century thanks to the reconstruction by Georg Caspar Emmanuel von Froenau. The second destruction followed in 1809, with the Battle of Abensberg during the Napoleonic Wars. The church of St. Vitus and the four-winged moated castle of Offenstetten also suffered heavy damage, but were rebuilt. You can recognise both buildings by their conspicuous onion domes, immediately on the right-hand side.

You will now reach Abensberg. This idyllic small town lies on the Abens, a tributary of the Danube. Abensberg is impressive for its lovingly restored old town centre with medieval charm, characterised by glamorous town houses. A relic from that period is, among other things, the historic town hall. The pink, late Gothic building adorns the square as the heart of the town centre.

In a few moments you will see the remains of Abensberg Castle on your right. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is now a listed building, together with the castle garden in the middle of the ruins. It was built by the Babonan clan, whose founder, Count Babo, is legendary: he is said to have had 32 sons and 8 daughters. Directly opposite you will see the Abens, with the so-called "Love Island". Because of its idyllic location close to the city, in the past the island attracted many couples, which ultimately led to it being given this name. Directly in front of you on the right-hand side is the Maderturm. This is the only tower left from the medieval city wall. According to legend, Count Babo walled up one of his renegade daughters in this tower.

On your left you can see the Brauerei zum Kuchlbauer, one of the oldest breweries in Bavaria. Together with the Kuchlbauer Tower, the brewery is a cultural eye-catcher in the middle of the city: the 35-metre-high architectural project designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser creates a unique combination of art and beer enjoyment. During a guided tour of the brewery you can visit the tower and enjoy a magnificent view of the Hallertau cultural landscape.

Perhaps you have already heard of "Abensberg quality asparagus" - because the region around Abensberg is known far beyond its borders for the cultivation of asparagus. It is one of the oldest growing areas in Europe: first mentions date back to the beginning of the 18th century. The sandy, humus-rich soils combined with the warmth of spring offer ideal conditions for cultivation and give the vegetable its distinctive taste. Since 2016, Abensberg asparagus has even been part of Bavaria's "World Culinary Heritage".

Near the Weltenburg Monastery, the destination of your route, lies the Danube Gorge and the "Weltenburger Enge" or Weltenburg Narrows. This is a unique natural monument: a narrow section of the Danube valley flanked by limestone cliffs of the Jura mountains that are up to 70 metres high. This first natural national monument of Bavaria was created about 200,000 years ago, when a tributary of the Urdonau dug its way through the limestone rock. Many local and well-known long-distance hiking trails, such as the Jakobsweg, the Jurasteig or the Altmühltal-Panoramaweg, lead past the Danube Gorge. Alternatively, you can enjoy the impressive view during a boat trip.

In a few moments you will reach Holzharlanden, another district of Abensberg. Characteristic of this tranquil village of 180 inhabitants is the church of St. Katharina, whose tower you can already see in front of you. This village church was built in 1712 in honour of St. Catherine. The name Holzharlanden suggests that the origins of the village go back to a settlement in a clearing, which was created in a part of the forest that had been made usable for agriculture.

You will soon reach the village of Weltenburg, known worldwide for the monastery of the same name. Picturesquely situated above the Danube Gorge in a loop of the Danube, it is probably the oldest monastic settlement in Bavaria, having been founded around the year 600. The attached monastery church was built in the 18th century by the Asam brothers and is considered one of the most important sacred buildings of the European Baroque. Following a chequered history and having fallen victim to secularisation in 1803, Weltenburg has been an abbey once again since 1913. In the midst of the Baroque complex you will also find the oldest monastery brewery in the world and the "Klosterschenke", one of the most beautiful beer gardens in Bavaria.

On your left is the car park of Weltenburg Monastery, for which a fee is charged. From here you can reach the monastery and the Danube Gorge on foot in just a few hundred metres.
You have now reached the destination of this route. It is great that I was able to accompany you here. I hope you enjoyed the tour and wish you a pleasant stay and safe onward journey.