Kirchheim am Ries: Monastery History and Ries Views

Kirchheim am Ries lies on the western edge of the Ries, at the foot of the 600-metre-high Blasienberg. The wide, flat Ries landscape contrasts appealingly with the traces of the former Cistercian convent: trails lead to viewpoints, orchards and geological features, while the chapel and monastery church tell the story of the town. If you are looking for somewhere to stay, consider the kind of day you have in mind: would you prefer to spend most of your time outdoors, or focus more on the sites of cultural and historical interest?

Monastery History and Special Details

The former Cistercian convent of the Assumption of Mary is a site of cultural and historical interest in Kirchheim am Ries. Count Ludwig III of Oettingen founded the convent for women in 1267. An archway from 1724, decorated with statues of saints, marks the entrance to the monastery precinct. The early Gothic monastery church was completed around 1300; its Baroque high altar, dating from 1756, depicts the Assumption of Mary. Here, different architectural and artistic styles come together in a historical setting. St Martin’s Chapel in Unterkirchheim has its own story: its altar is made from a Roman sacrificial stone that was discovered upside down during renovation work.

Trails, Views and Nature

The Blasienberg Discovery Trail combines the landscape with themes from nature and geology. The approximately 4.5-kilometre trail features ten QR-code audio stations about wildlife, plants and geology. It also offers views across the Ries and a viewing swing. The five-kilometre loop on the Orchard Trail with Ries Views starts at Eulenstein. It passes orchards and a protected area of woodland on the Ohrenberg, opening up views across the flat, lightly wooded Ries landscape. Information boards explain the orchard habitat, while QR codes help identify tree species. The Beaver and Tree Trail adds to the nature themes with QR information about more than 20 species of trees and shrubs.

At the Ries Viewpoint next to the Blasienberg, the bilingual Geopark Ries information point combines views of the Ries basin and Kirchheim with a geological map. Information boards about the formation and surroundings of the Ries are accessible around the clock; tables and benches offer a place to rest. Here, views of the landscape sit alongside geological information.

Consider Trail Lengths and Travel

The different trail lengths also offer a range of options for planning your day: the Discovery Trail is approximately 4.5 kilometres long, and the loop on the Orchard Trail is five kilometres. The 7.3-kilometre Senses Trail between Forest and Water starts at the Cistercian convent and partly follows the Ries Panorama Trail. This 128-kilometre trail circles the Nördlinger Ries crater in seven daily stages. Check the latest information about the Panorama Trail before setting out. The different distances can help you decide which route to include in your plans, without specifying walking times for the individual trails in Kirchheim.

Kirchheim am Ries is connected to the public transport network via Bopfingen railway station; regular bus services run to the municipality and its districts. Check the timetable for your travel date.

More Cultural Attractions in the Ostalbkreis

The Ostalbkreis also has distinctive destinations for those interested in culture. Limes Park Rainau preserves some of the most scenic sections and significant individual monuments of the Limes in an exceptional concentration. A reconstructed watchtower offers panoramic views across the Ostalb. The Upper German-Raetian Limes has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005 and runs for approximately six kilometres through the municipality of Rainau, in the districts of Buch, Schwabsberg and Dalkingen. Another major historical site is Lorch Abbey: Frederick I, the first Hohenstaufen, and Agnes of Waiblingen founded it in 1102 as a burial place. The permanent exhibition explores 900 years of monastic history, including through the richly decorated Lorch choir books.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ellenberg, Westhausen, Bartholomä, Lauchheim, Ruppertshofen, Waldhausen, Rosenberg, Mutlangen.

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