Weingarten: Baroque, Monastery and Stiller Bach

Weingarten combines High Baroque sacred architecture with a remarkable history of water engineering. The basilica and monastery complex stand alongside paths along the Stiller Bach, ponds and contemporary art.

Baroque Church and Monastery History

The basilica is one of the most significant High Baroque churches on the Upper Swabian Baroque Route. Special attractions for visitors include the Holy Blood relic and the Gabler organ. The church therefore offers several reasons to explore the town’s religious and artistic heritage in more detail.

The monastery complex on Martinsberg was founded by the Welfs in the 11th century and settled by Benedictine monks from Bavaria. The late Gothic cloister, dating from 1515 to 1605, is a testament to its history. It is accessible during concerts and exhibitions. If you would like to visit, check the current programme in advance.

Art and Local History

There are also various ways to explore Weingarten’s art and history beyond the monastery complex. The municipal gallery presents contemporary art in changing exhibitions. Four museums offer insights into the history of the town and the monastery. As exhibitions and museum offerings can change, it is worth checking the current programme before your visit.

Guided tours take you between Baroque monastery walls, through narrow lanes and along the Stiller Bach. If you prefer to explore the town with an app, you can use LAUSCHTOUR for a GPS-guided experience around Weingarten. The tour and the app differ in format: one is guided, the other GPS-based. Before your trip, check the latest tour dates, as well as the app’s availability and content.

Water Engineering History and Walking Paths

The Stiller Bach is not just a watercourse; it is part of a canal system created by monks between the 11th and 17th centuries. The system comprises more than ten canals and 20 ponds, nine of which are still dammed. This scale makes the history of water engineering a subject in its own right during a stay. The historic water engineering trail along the Stiller Bach is accessible to everyone and has signposts and information boards.

For a longer route, the six-kilometre Nessenreben Trail leads from the barbecue area or Weingarten outdoor swimming pool to Rösslerweiher, following the Stiller Bach along the way. A shorter option is the three-kilometre loop from the town centre to Kreuzbergweiher, considered an easy walk. Comparing the two helps with planning your day: one route is six kilometres long, the other three; check local conditions before setting out.

Rösslerweiher is still used for breeding carp and pike. At the end of the Nessenreben Trail, this current local use connects with the theme of the water landscape, without the pond needing to be viewed as a destination in its own right.

Town Garden and Regional Cuisine

The Town Garden was laid out in 1875 as a public park for celebrations and parades. Today, works by Rudolf Wachter, Robert Schad and Max Ackermann also form part of its landscape. Its historic purpose as an events venue and its artworks offer a different perspective from the monastery architecture and the historic water engineering trails.

Weingarten’s culinary options range from traditional Swabian to experimental international cuisine. Restaurants use seasonal produce from the region. This means culture, walks and food offer different focal points for planning your stay, without requiring you to limit yourself to just one way of exploring.

Discover more destinations: Nehren, Ammerbuch, Mössingen, Starzach, Öschingen, Stetten am Kalten Markt, Kusterdingen, Rottenburg am Neckar.

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