Tannhausen: St. Luke’s, Nature Trail and Wide Views

Nature and a distinctive late Gothic architectural history give Tannhausen its varied character. The eight-kilometre STAUNE Trail is a biodiversity trail that passes through eight habitats; St. Luke’s and the pilgrimage traditions tell of other aspects of the town. Viewpoints and paths add their own highlights.

Landscape, Habitats and Views

The STAUNE Trail features eight stops with information boards or interactive elements. They highlight habitats such as heathland, traditional orchards, water and hedgerows. You can start the trail in Tannhausen; refreshments are available in the three participating municipalities. The route thus combines nature-related themes with a direct introduction to different habitats.

At the viewpoint by the Bergheim Reservoir, visitors will find an information board, seating and a viewing platform. The view extends towards Dinkelsbühl, the Hesselberg, the Ipf and Baldern Castle. A seating area along the Green Trail near the Liassic escarpment offers another perspective, with panoramic views towards Franconia. The Green Trail is intended for cyclists, walkers and anyone seeking recreation in the rural landscape.

Nature conservation also shapes the surrounding area: nature conservation measures in Tannhausen’s land consolidation area created biotopes and protected areas. For a break outdoors, there is a municipal barbecue site with a shelter above the sports and leisure centre at the western entrance to town; it must be booked in advance. The German Limes Road follows State Road 1076 through Tannhausen towards Dinkelsbühl and Mönchsroth.

Traces of History and Late Gothic Architecture

Tannhausen was first mentioned in a document in 1100. Stone finds and burial mounds point to prehistoric settlements dating from the Hallstatt period. Several building phases come together in the Catholic parish church of St. Luke: the origins of the late Gothic building date back to the 15th century, and it is considered a notable example of the style of Stephan Weyrer of Nördlingen. The 46-metre-high tower was completed in 1479. The nave dates from 1520 and was designed and built by Stephan Weyrer the Elder.

Tannhausen Castle is an estate near the Sechta River, at the entrance to town. On the edge of the Ries, the von und zu Thannhausen family still lives in its ancestral home. The parish church’s building history, the estate and the archaeological evidence offer different points of connection to the past, which is not limited to a single era in Tannhausen.

Pilgrimage Traditions and Planning Your Stay

An annual walking pilgrimage to Maria Brünnlein near Wemding has taken place since 1851 and covers around 40 kilometres. Another pilgrimage to Schönenberg is held on the first Saturday in May in honour of Father Philipp Jeningen. These religious traditions add a distinct dimension alongside the themes of nature and architectural history.

The distances also reflect different reasons to visit: the STAUNE Trail is eight kilometres long, while the walking pilgrimage to Maria Brünnlein covers around 40 kilometres.

Tannhausen in the Wider Ostalbkreis Region

The wider travel destination of Ostalbkreis includes the Alb plateau, the foothills of the Swabian Alb and the Keuper Forest Hills, as well as cultural and natural monuments. The UNESCO Global Geopark and the World Heritage Limes are also part of this broader theme. Tannhausen offers its own specific points of interest: the STAUNE Trail, its viewpoints, the parish church of St. Luke and its pilgrimage traditions.

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