Altshausen: Castle History, Art and Discovery Trail

Altshausen can be discovered from two very different perspectives: the history of the castle and church meets a 5.5-kilometre discovery trail leading towards the Alter Weiher nature reserve. Also worth exploring are the elaborate Holy Sepulchre and a gallery in the listed Alte Post. This gives visitors interested in culture and those looking to get active a concrete starting point when planning their trip.

Castle History and Religious Art

Altshausen Castle stands on the edge of Altshausen. From the second half of the 13th century, it was the seat of the Teutonic Order’s Komtur and later its Landkomtur. In 1647, the Swedes inflicted severe damage on the castle and set fire to its main buildings. After the Thirty Years’ War, the castle was rebuilt in almost the same form. Its history thus spans a long period under the Order, as well as destruction and reconstruction. Since 1919, the castle has served as the residence of the ducal family of Württemberg; its interiors are not open to visitors.

The right-hand side chapel of St. Michael’s parish and castle church houses a place of veneration dedicated to Blessed Hermann of Altshausen, also known as Hermannus Contractus or Hermann the Lame. Another sacred highlight is the Holy Sepulchre of Altshausen. It consists of two large painted canvases, 23 panels and seven arcades, and features a wealth of figures. Unique in its kind and size, it is considered one of the last Holy Sepulchres in southern Germany. Its individual elements give an impression of the artwork’s complexity.

In the town centre, the listed Alte Post houses the Historical Gallery. Together, the gallery, church and Holy Sepulchre offer Altshausen’s visitors a variety of places and forms of sacred and historical art.

Discovery Trail to Alter Weiher

The 5.5-kilometre discovery trail starts at the outdoor swimming pool in Altshausen and leads into the Alter Weiher nature reserve. Along the way, Bocksberg is home to a small nature playground, an insect hotel, a barefoot path and a woodchip trail. These features provide specific stopping points along the route; together with its length, they make the walk a way to experience Altshausen outdoors in its own right.

When choosing your accommodation, you can weigh up your travel interests: would you like to focus on the castle’s history, religious art or the discovery trail? The attractions in Altshausen offer different starting points, although a visit to the castle interiors is not an option. If you include other places in the wider Ravensburg travel destination, you can explore additional, distinct cultural themes.

More Culture in the Wider Ravensburg Travel Destination

The Humpis Quarter Museum opened in July 2009. Its permanent exhibition spans five buildings in a late-medieval residential quarter. The museum offers regular public tours and tours that can be booked individually for school classes, children and adults. If you are planning a tour, check the relevant booking details in advance.

Another perspective is offered by the Allgäu-Oberschwaben Farmhouse Museum in Wolfegg, also in the wider Ravensburg travel destination. There, 28 historic buildings have been preserved, some of them several centuries old. The museum brings to life how people in the region used to work, live and make their homes. While the Humpis Quarter presents a late-medieval residential quarter across several buildings, Wolfegg focuses on life and work in the region in the past.

Discover more destinations: Fleischwangen, Achberg, Kißlegg, Schlier, Wolpertswende, Wangen im Allgäu, Horgenzell, Fronreute.

Back to the main travel overview: Ravensburg.