Irsee: Monastic Culture, Village Trails and Oggenrieder Pond

Irsee brings together Baroque churches, a village culture rich in tradition and trails through the surrounding countryside. The town is a starting point for longer hikes and a cycling route; the Oggenrieder Pond also offers a place to swim, with a separate paddling area. When planning your trip, you can give different emphasis to cultural discoveries, active days and time by the water.

Churches, Music and Village History

The Baroque abbey church was built from 1699 to 1703 and is now the parish church of St. Peter and Paul. St. Stephen’s, the Upper Church, was built in 1486; its church tower is considered a landmark of Irsee. The construction dates mark different periods in the local history of the church. For groups of up to 15 people, the Friends’ Association offers tours of St. Stephen’s and its tower for a donation of 20 euros. Arrange the tour before your arrival.

Another musical landmark is the Balthasar Freiwiß organ in the abbey church, consecrated in 1754. Since 1993, the Swabian Academy, together with the parish, has regularly held organ vespers. Alongside the church buildings, music is therefore one of the cultural themes you can discover during a stay in Irsee.

The Kunst + Kultur Path, opened in 2015, leads to important sites and contemporary art objects, and conveys the history of the monastery and village. A village walk with 17 information panels runs from Meinrad-Spieß-Platz to the Upper Village. The Irsee institution cemetery behind the abbey church offers a sobering reminder: it includes a Nazi “euthanasia” memorial and a place of remembrance in the former mortuary of the Irsee sanatorium and nursing home.

Village traditions are also part of the local scene. The maypole dance has been a tradition in Irsee for decades. In the Bandltanz, children from the primary school dance to music; afterwards, everyone eats and celebrates together.

Hiking Trails and Cycling Route

The signposted Crescentia Pilgrimage Trail leads from Kaufbeuren via Bickenried to Irsee and on to Ottobeuren. Its route includes the idyllic footpath through the “Hölle” (“Hell”). The traditional Swabian-Allgäu long-distance hiking trail from Augsburg to Sonthofen also passes directly through Irsee. So in Irsee, you can experience both a pilgrimage trail and a longer-distance hiking route.

For a day trip, the signposted Udo Circular Hiking Trail begins and ends in Irsee: it goes via Pforzen and Oggenried, is around 20 kilometres long and is designed as a leisurely day hike. By bike, the “Valleys and Heights Northwest of Irsee” cycling route goes via Blöcktach, Eggenthal, Lauchdorf, Baisweil and Oggenried before returning to Irsee. It is around 30 kilometres long. These routes offer two different ways to spend an active day: a hike and a cycling route, both passing through Irsee.

Oggenrieder Pond and Nature

At the western edge of the village lies the 1.4-hectare Oggenrieder Pond, at an elevation of 728 metres. There is a separate paddling area for small children. The naturally formed body of water is partly edged by trees and reeds, and the Krebsbach stream flows through it. The stream rises at the Irsee springs and flows into the Wertach.

Oggenrieder Pond is officially designated as an EU bathing water site. Its excellent bathing water rating refers to 2021; check the current water quality before swimming. You should also check bathing access and seasonal conditions in advance. Nearby, Klosterweiher in the monastery forest also has a pontoon and an insect hotel.

Brewing Tradition and Getting There

The brewery museum in Irsee offers a glimpse of the brewhouse and its copper kettles, and displays historic machinery, equipment, documents, beer glasses and tankards. The privately run Irsee Abbey Brewery still brews natural, traditionally made beer specialties such as “Urtrunk”. The museum and brewery offer different perspectives on the local brewing tradition.

For travel by public transport, the recommended route is to take bus 5, 6 or 7 from the railway station to the “Plärrer” bus station, then bus 26 to the “Irsee Kriegerdenkmal” stop. Check the current timetable before travelling.

Choose accommodation based on the day’s activities you have planned in Irsee.

For the wider travel overview: Pforzen.