Donaueschingen: Source, Palace Park and Culture

Donaueschingen brings together the source of the Danube, princely architecture, an expansive park and a wide range of cultural attractions. The Danube spring rises right next to the princely palace; where its water flows into the Brigach, the Danube Temple stands. Other highlights include a Baroque town church, historic collections, contemporary art and a festival of new music. You can shape your stay in different ways: with a walk in the park, a focus on culture, or the start of a cycling tour along the young Danube.

The Danube Spring, Palace and Architectural History

The Princely Fürstenberg Residence Palace lies beside the Danube spring in an expansive park with old trees, atmospheric ponds and waterways. The spacious grounds invite you to take a stroll. Donaueschingen Palace is considered one of Germany’s most significant Belle Époque residences. In 1875, Prince Karl Egon III of Fürstenberg commissioned the present design of the Danube spring. The Danube Temple has stood since 1910 at the point where the spring’s water flows into the Brigach; it underwent extensive restoration in 2016.

The Church of St. John stands directly beside the enclosed Danube spring. It was built in the Bohemian Baroque style from 1724 to 1747. The spring, temple and church offer different historical points of interest: the landscaped spring enclosure, where the water flows into the Brigach, and an 18th-century church. Anyone interested in architectural history can combine these stops with the palace and its park, while the walk also leaves time to enjoy the trees, ponds and waterways.

Collections and New Music

At Karlsplatz, the Princely Fürstenberg Collections present minerals and fossils, a natural history collection and contemporary art across around 2,500 square metres. The natural history collection includes numerous specimens, most of which are around 150 years old. Different perspectives come together here: the world of minerals and fossils, historic natural history specimens, and contemporary art. Museum Art.Plus offers guided tours and workshops for all ages to accompany its exhibitions. If you would like to include one of these activities in your visit, check the current programme before travelling.

The Donaueschingen Festival is another cultural highlight. Since 1921, it has championed experimental forms of contemporary music and sound art. As a world-renowned festival of world premieres, it features orchestral and ensemble concerts, electronic performances and sound art. Its range of events makes the festival particularly appealing to visitors who would like to plan their trip around contemporary music. Together with the collections and Museum Art.Plus, it forms a cultural offering that brings historic holdings and contemporary art together.

A Walk or a Cycling Tour

The palace park offers a way to spend part of your stay on a stroll. Donaueschingen is also the starting point of the Danube Cycle Path. From here, cyclists can explore the first 300 kilometres of the Danube; the first two days of cycling follow the young river through natural landscapes. These offer two different time frames for planning: a walk in the park, or a longer cycling holiday focused on the first stages along the river. Which option suits you depends on whether you would rather shape your stay around the town’s history or spend it cycling.

More Highlights in the Schwarzwald-Baar District

In the broader Schwarzwald-Baar district destination, Lake Kirnbergsee offers a distinct nature and hiking experience. A 2.5-kilometre circular trail leads around the oval lake and across the dam. Lake Kirnbergsee is part of a Flora-Fauna-Habitat area; rare plants grow near the shore. The Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet is another regional cultural highlight: in December 2014, it was added to Germany’s nationwide UNESCO Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Carnival in the Schwarzwald-Baar district lasts six days, from Schmotziger Dunnschtig to Ash Wednesday. These regional themes complement the options in Donaueschingen with examples of nature and culture from the wider destination.

When looking for accommodation in Donaueschingen, it helps to decide first what you would like to focus on during your stay: the palace park and architectural history, the collections and music, or the Danube Cycle Path. This lets you choose your destination based on your travel plans and then search for accommodation for your trip.

Discover more destinations

Aasen, Blumberg, Furtwangen in the Black Forest, Bräunlingen, Königsfeld in the Black Forest, Sankt Georgen in the Black Forest, Neukirch, Unterkirnach

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Schwarzwald-Baar district.