Stulln

Stulln can be explored through sacred art, a Mineralogical Collection, and nearby mining history. The high altar offers a specific art-historical subject; at the Reichhart Shaft, the story turns to mining. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing the town’s history from the complementary landscape and nature themes in the broader travel destination of Schwandorf.

Church Art and Local History

An earlier church in Stulln was destroyed at the beginning of the 15th century during the Hussite Wars. The Baroque high altar in the Old Parish Church of St. Stephen belongs to a much later period: it was probably created in the 18th century. Two twisted columns entwined with vine leaves and decorative scrollwork on either side define its design. Those interested in church art can connect specific ornamental motifs here with the Baroque period. The history of an earlier church and the design of the high altar thus represent different aspects of local history.

The Mineralogical Collection in the Stulln multipurpose hall adds a natural history focus to these topics. It can be visited by appointment only. If you would like to include the collection in your itinerary, arrange your visit in advance rather than assuming you can drop in. This appointment requirement makes it a different kind of planning consideration from exploring the historical topics themselves.

Mining History in the Nearby Area

The Reichhart Shaft near Stulln lies in the wider vicinity of the travel destination. After the Hermine mine closed, water drainage was discontinued in 1987, and groundwater flooded the Reichhart Shaft. Konrad Reichhart renovated the shaft over a six-year period and developed an old tunnel 30 m underground for visitors. This tunnel was opened to the public in May 1996. Before making specific plans to visit, check whether the visitor tunnel is currently accessible. These stages trace the story from the mine and shaft to the development of the visitor tunnel.

The Broader Travel Destination of Schwandorf

The district of Schwandorf is a holiday region in the Upper Palatinate Forest in Bavaria. The Upper Palatinate Lake District in the district of Schwandorf is a region shaped by water and diverse landscapes. This landscape perspective belongs to the broader travel destination of Schwandorf and complements Stulln’s history and culture with a distinct regional focus.

Nature and geology topics in the district include the Wald- und Heidelandschaft nature reserve and the gneiss at Hochfels. The protected area provides a valuable refuge for species that cannot survive in locations with denser vegetation and more nutrient-rich soils. The gneiss at Hochfels has been included in Bavaria’s list of the 100 most beautiful geotopes. Together, these examples show two different aspects of the region’s natural heritage: a habitat with a special ecological function and a geological feature.

One specific regional cycling route is the Weiher Cycle Route. It is around 9 kilometres long, signposted continuously in both directions, connects Schwandorf with Lake Murner See, and passes through the Charlottenhofer Weiher nature reserve. Its length, signage, route, and destinations give you a clear idea of this cycling tour in the broader travel destination. As an active regional option, it differs from the cultural and historical topics that characterize Stulln itself and its nearby surroundings.

The BAXI Museum Line 8402 operates in the district of Schwandorf for travel to the Upper Palatinate Open-Air Museum. If you plan to include the museum in your regional itinerary, check the current timetable details before your trip. This helps you distinguish the regional highlights described here—landscape, geology, cycling, and travel to the museum—from Stulln’s local and mining history.

Discover more destinations: Nabburg, Maxhütte-Haidhof, Bodenwöhr, Schönsee, Nittenau, Trausnitz, Neunburg Vorm Wald, Schwarzenfeld

Back to the broader travel overview: Schwandorf.