Churches: Building History and Regional Experiences

Two distinct building histories stand out in Kirchen: the parish church of St Martin and St Joseph’s Chapel on a hill about 500 metres south of the village. The Ehinger Stoffelbergrunde, a hike through open countryside and woodland, is also nearby. The options therefore range from historic religious buildings to a regional landscape experience. Ehingen (Donau), as a separate local destination, offers its own themes of brewing culture, Fasnet and cycling.

Building history in Kirchen

The parish church of St Martin in Kirchen dates from the 18th century; its tower survives from an earlier Late Gothic building. Two periods of construction can be seen side by side here: the 18th-century church and the older tower. The surviving tower makes the earlier building a visible part of St Martin’s architectural history.

St Joseph’s Chapel stands on a hill about 500 metres south of Kirchen and was built in 1702 by the local priest Johannes Dreher. In contrast to St Martin, the historical focus here is on a building with a specific date and its builder; at the parish church, by contrast, the tower inherited from the Late Gothic predecessor shapes the view. A clearly stated construction date and a surviving older architectural feature thus stand side by side as distinct historical reference points.

Hiking and an unusual museum

The nearby Ehinger Stoffelbergrunde offers expansive views towards the Swabian Alb and Upper Swabia. The hike alternates between open countryside and woodland; along the way are mills, the Stoffelberg Chapel and Blue Quarry Lake. The route combines far-reaching views with changing landscapes and named points of interest. If you are looking for a hike with varied scenery as well as architectural history, it offers a specific regional connection.

Ehingen (Donau): its own cultural and cycling themes

Ehingen (Donau) is a separate point of interest with other highlights. A themed tour there focuses on the history of brewing and Ehingen’s beer culture; a tasting is possible afterwards. If you are considering the tour, it is a good idea to check the booking arrangements in advance. The highlight of Ehingen’s Fasnet is a masked parade lasting several hours on Shrove Tuesday. As the date varies from year to year, it is best to check the date for your travel year. The Danube Cycle Path also runs directly through the centre of Ehingen. For specific cycling days, you can check the latest route information.

Choose your search location based on the experiences

Kirchen is known for its parish church and the St Joseph’s Chapel to the south; the nearby Stoffelbergrunde adds a regional hike to the options. Ehingen (Donau) is the named destination for the brewery tour, Ehingen’s Fasnet and the Danube Cycle Path, which runs through the town centre. Choose where to search based on the experiences you want to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Öpfingen, Neenstetten, Bernstadt, Nerenstetten, Holzkirch, Munderkingen, Berghülen, Staig

For the broader travel overview: Alb-Donau-Kreis.