Discover Täferrot

St. Afra's Church has shaped the history of Täferrot in a special way: the present building was constructed in 1491, but a church already stood on the same site. Its tower may even reveal a possible link to the earlier building. The church also features artworks and carvings that bring together different eras and stories.

St. Afra's Church: Building History and Historical Artworks

The tower of the earlier church was probably incorporated into the new building. This cautiously reported connection brings the building's history to life: the church site dates back further than the building of 1491. Different historical layers can also be found side by side inside.

The gallery balustrade features scenes from the New Testament, created in the 16th century based on works by Albrecht Dürer. Opposite them are images from the Old Testament, painted only after the Thirty Years' War. The picture cycles therefore differ not only in subject matter, but also in when they were created. Those interested in art history will find specific details here that help illustrate this passage of time.

The choir stalls feature, among other things, a pretzel, the emblem of the abbot of Lorch at the time. The stalls' origins also bring that monastery to mind: they probably came from there. The pretzel is therefore more than a decorative motif; it points to a historical connection, while the origin of the piece of furniture itself remains expressly uncertain.

A map overview shows some ways to explore the landscape in and around Täferrot. It is a selection, not a complete list of all the options. If you include the surrounding area in your travel plans, you can use this limited overview as a starting point.

In the wider destination of Ostalbkreis: the Limes, a monastery and landscapes

Roman history also plays an important role in the wider destination of Ostalbkreis. The Upper German-Raetian Limes has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. In the municipality of Rainau, it runs for about six kilometres through the districts of Buch, Schwabsberg and Dalkingen. The Limes Park Rainau preserves particularly beautiful sections and important individual monuments in a unique concentration. A reconstructed watchtower offers panoramic views across the Ostalb; the Limes Gate at Dalkingen is considered a unique structure along the entire stretch of the Limes between the Rhine and the Danube.

The signposted Limes circular hiking trail near Rainau is about 11 kilometres long and takes approximately two and a half hours on foot. It runs from the Limes wall and Limes tower between Buch and Schwabsberg through the Mahdholz forest, following the Limes to the southern edge of Schwabsberg. Its length and walking time provide a clear framework for planning your day, without implying a walking time for other routes.

Lorch Monastery offers a different historical perspective. It was founded in 1102 by the first Hohenstaufen ruler, Frederick I, and his wife Agnes of Waiblingen as a burial place. The monastery includes a medieval church, cloister and farm buildings. From the Marsilius Tower, you can enjoy views of the monastery complex, herb garden, sensory garden and surrounding area. The permanent exhibition explores 900 years of monastic history, including through the richly decorated choir books of Lorch.

The Tiefer Stollen visitor mine focuses on ore mining in the Aalen area. During a visit, the mine train passes mineral deposits and small stalactites on its way to sandstone chambers covering 2,500 square metres, 100 metres underground. There, a multimedia show introduces the history of mining. The contrast between the underground world of the mine and the historic sites around the Limes shows the many different ways to experience history in Ostalbkreis.

Nature experiences are also among the region's options: a hike through the Wental valley towards Steinheim is particularly suitable for families. Along the way, you can discover gnarled trees and bizarre rock formations in which, with a little imagination, you can make out fairy-tale characters and animals. The wider Ostalbkreis therefore brings together a variety of highlights: historical artworks in Täferrot, Roman monuments, monastic history, mining and a family hike. When looking for accommodation in Täferrot, you can first consider whether your stay will focus mainly on St. Afra's Church and the local landscape, or whether you would also like to include specific places of interest elsewhere in Ostalbkreis.

Discover More Destinations

Bopfingen, Eschach, Ellenberg, Ellwangen, Bartholomä, Waldhausen, Göggingen, Ruppertshofen

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Ostalbkreis.