Ummendorf: Castle History, Church Art and Nature

Ummendorf brings together several very different discoveries: a castle with a varied history of use, a church with a Madonna from the 15th century, Kreuzberg as a place of prayer, and a swimming lake and woodland landscape. This gives you a range of options for planning your visit, from cultural history and religious sites to water and nature.

Ummendorf Castle: construction, abbey and school

Ummendorf Castle was built around 1560 by Matthias Manlich, a patrician from Augsburg. After his death, it remained in the possession of Ochsenhausen Abbey for several generations; from 1623 until the second half of the 17th century, the monastery’s school was based there. This sequence brings different chapters of the castle’s history to life: its construction by a patrician was followed by its connection to the abbey and its use as an educational institution. Today, the Ummendorf Cultural Society uses the castle as a venue. If you would like to attend an event, check the specific dates, as access may vary depending on the event.

Church and Kreuzberg: two religious landmarks

The Catholic church stands at the center of the old village and is considered one of Upper Swabia’s most impressive village churches. Inside is a Madonna by Hans Multscher, dating from around 1450. This connects the church’s setting in the village center with a specific detail of art-historical interest.

Kreuzberg lies on the eastern edge of Ummendorf and is a place for communal worship and private prayer. The complex includes 14 Stations of the Cross, the Loretto Chapel, the Mount of Olives and Lourdes grottoes; a chapel was added in 2013. The church and Kreuzberg offer different ways to explore religious culture. If you would like to make such places the focus of your trip, their distinct features can help you plan your itinerary around a theme.

Swimming lake and Bannwald Buch: water and woodland

Ummendorf’s swimming lake offers swimming and relaxation on the edge of a protected area. As opening arrangements may vary by season, check the conditions for the time of your visit. There is also a minigolf course near the lake; check its availability before visiting as well.

The Buchwald district in Ummendorf reveals another side of the landscape: it covers 43 hectares and was designated a Bannwald forest reserve in August 2000. Bannwald Buch lies on steep slopes above the Umlach Valley. Moraines, glacial gravel deposits, spring hollows and small streams shape the landscape. The Bannwald concept aims to let regionally typical woodland develop naturally towards a primeval forest. Those interested in woodland and landscapes will find different things to explore here than at the swimming lake.

Another historic feature in the landscape is the monument to Sebastian Kneipp on Prälatenhöhe. It was erected in 1899 by Prelate Dr. Hofele.

Planning a stay in Ummendorf

When looking for a place to stay in Ummendorf, you can start with your travel interests: castle history and church art, religious sites, swimming, or woodland and landscape each offer a different focus. If you are planning a trip around several interests, you can tailor your choice to the themes that matter most to you.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Königshofen, Bad Buchau, Uttenweiler, Langenenslingen, Schwendi, Gutenzell-Hürbel, Rot An Der Rot, Eberhardzell.

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