Discover Altessing: church, archaeology and landscape

Altessing offers several themes to consider when planning your trip: Early Gothic church architecture, canal history, a nature reserve and a cycling route that passes through the town. To plan your visit, it helps to first decide on your main interest—culture, landscape or cycling.

Church, archaeology and canal history

The Catholic Church of St. Martin in Altessing was built as an Early Gothic structure in the second half of the 13th century. St. Martin’s Church is located in the middle of the cemetery of today’s Essing parish.

The Altessing-Schule station in the Altmühltal Archaeology Park is associated with burial mounds. A reconstructed blacksmith’s workshop at the “Celtic Smithy with Iron Smelting Furnace” station in Altessing offers another way to explore prehistory: demonstrations provide insight into prehistoric smithing practices. One focuses on burial mounds, while the other showcases smithing. If attending a demonstration is important to your plans, check the dates in advance.

The information point at the Ludwig-Donau-Main Canal in Altessing tells visitors about the canal’s history. This adds another cultural and historical topic to the church and prehistory.

Landscape and cycling route

The “Schulerloch” nature reserve covers the northern slopes of the Altmühltal between Altessing and Oberau, around the Schulerloch show cave. If you want to visit this natural area, check the current access rules beforehand. The Altmühl-Donau-Tour cycling route passes through Altessing; check the current route before setting off. This allows you to take different conditions into account when planning nature-related and cycling activities.

The wider destination of Essing

In the wider destination of Essing, MEMU Essing is housed in the former parish rectory. As a cultural venue, it offers art exhibitions, themed exhibitions, concerts and lectures; check the dates in advance for specific events. A permanent exhibition presents the Stone Age skeletal find known as the “Man from Neuessing”; another explores how construction of the Main-Danube Canal changed the landscape of the Altmühltal.

The townscape of Essing combines the calm waters of the Restaltmühl, light-colored rock faces rising almost vertically and historic buildings with a medieval charm. Essing therefore offers its own perspective on landscape and culture as part of your travel plans.

The nearest railway station to Essing is in Saal an der Donau. From there, visitors can continue by bus via Kelheim to Essing in the direction of Riedenburg; check the current timetable for your travel dates. The Jurasteig trail leads from Essing to the town of Riedenburg, known as the “Town of Three Castles.” Essing’s landing stage is a starting point for trips towards Riedenburg or Kelheim; some journeys also pass through the Danube Gorge. Bicycles are allowed on board the excursion boats from Essing, making it possible to combine a boat trip with a cycling tour. For specific plans, it is worth checking the sailing dates for your chosen route.

Choose accommodation based on your travel interests

Identify the places that matter for your trip and tailor your search to the mix of culture, landscape and activities you are looking for.

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