Meßkirch: Discover the castle, churches and Felsentäle

In Meßkirch, grand architectural history and a distinctive landscape come together in a varied range of things to explore: the castle and churches tell stories of different eras, while Felsentäle, with its caves, ravines and streams, reveals the geological side of the town. Campus Galli is also nearby. This lets you plan your stay around different interests rather than focusing on just one theme.

Castle, courtyards and museums

Meßkirch Castle is considered the earliest four-wing complex north of the Alps. Its carriage house is home to the vintage car museum; in the east wing, a museum explores the life and work of philosopher Martin Heidegger. The Mesmerhaus, his childhood home, is another place connected with his life. Martin Heidegger lived from 1889 to 1976. The Lower Court is also part of Meßkirch’s cultural landscape: it houses the Municipal Local History Museum.

Each of these places offers a different focus, from local history and philosophy to vintage cars. If you plan to visit the museums during your stay, check the latest visitor information in advance. This makes it easy to include Meßkirch’s cultural history in your plans.

Churches and the court garden: history in the townscape

The parish church of St. Martin was built in Gothic style in 1526 and transformed in the Baroque style between 1769 and 1773. It is considered the last major late Rococo church in Upper Swabia. Inside is an altarpiece by the Master of Meßkirch. The Church of Our Lady adds another chapter to the town’s architectural history: it was first mentioned in 1272, and its Gothic structure dates from 1356. The differences in date and style offer a distinctive way to explore how religious architecture changed over the centuries.

The court garden also has a clearly defined history. It was laid out around 1740 as a French-style castle park with 300 lime trees. Together with the churches and castle, it offers another starting point for discovering Meßkirch’s layers of history.

Felsentäle and Campus Galli

Felsentäle in Meßkirch is home to caves, ravines and streams. The area is a limestone reef of the White Jurassic, formed in the Jurassic Sea around 140 million years ago. Geological history and the landscape you can see today are closely connected here: the rock’s name points to when it formed, while caves and ravines shape the varied terrain of Felsentäle.

The Campus Galli monastery construction site is nearby. A monastery is being built there based on the Plan of St. Gall, using ninth-century methods, with craftspeople and volunteers taking part. The two places are connected by the hourly Regio 600 bus service. The Meßkirch–Rohrdorf–Campus Galli cycle path also runs from central Meßkirch to the visitor attraction and is 5.21 kilometres long. The bus and cycle path offer two different ways to include Campus Galli in your plans. Check the latest timetable before travelling and visitor information before your visit.

A separate look at the wider destination of Sigmaringen

The wider destination of Sigmaringen has other distinct attractions. Sigmaringen Castle developed from a medieval fortress into a princely residence and is considered a landmark of the town. Guided tours of the castle cover almost 1,000 years of Hohenzollern history. The town also has a place for the history of technology: the Zündapp Museum at Zoller-Hof Brewery displays more than 100 exhibits from the motorcycle brand. These attractions are in Sigmaringen and are not features of Meßkirch.

Sigmaringen also has a distinct focus for nature and outdoor activities: its five DonauFelsenLäufe trails pass through the Danube Valley, the Schmeiental and the Lauchert Valley. The Sigmaringen weekly market features regional products, including baked goods, meat and sausages, fruit and vegetables, cheese, olive oil and honey. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on Meßkirch’s architectural and geological history or also include Sigmaringen’s separate attractions.

Plan your stay around your interests

If you add Campus Galli to your itinerary, you can choose between the bus connection and the cycle path. If you also want to include attractions in the wider destination of Sigmaringen, consider its places and themes as a separate part of your travel plans. Search based on the focus you actually want, and check the latest information in advance for activities that depend on specific dates or times.

Discover more destinations: Beuron, Pfullendorf, Herdwangen-Schönach, Neufra, Veringenstadt, Sigmaringendorf, Illmensee, Bingen

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Sigmaringen.