Bach an der Donau: Wine Traditions and Architectural History

In Bach an der Donau, the history of winegrowing and distinctive architectural landmarks come together. The BaierWein Museum brings the work in the vineyards and winemaking to life through historical objects; outside, a wine trail introduces the region’s grape varieties. The former press house and the Church of the Nativity of Mary add different chapters of architectural history. Discover the town through its wine traditions, architecture and regional culture.

Baierwein: from the tree press to the wine trail

At the heart of the BaierWein Museum exhibition is a tree press dating from 1615. It is one of Germany’s oldest wine presses. Other exhibits illustrate various stages of the work: tools for vineyard work and plant protection are on display, along with winemaking equipment, including a grape crusher, a screw press and a wine filter. Together, they offer insight into different aspects of winegrowing, from tending the vines to processing the grapes.

The wine trail in the museum grounds is open at all times and continues the theme outdoors. Information panels and the museum grounds introduce the region’s main white and red grape varieties. The trail also covers the past and present of Baierwein, as well as the local Weißer Elbling grape variety. Bach an der Donau lies in Bavaria’s smallest winegrowing region, along the Danube. It covers around four hectares, and around 20 winegrowers are currently active there.

A late Gothic press house and a parish church built over several periods

The former press house, now the BaierWein Museum, is a single-storey building with a shallow-pitched gable roof, dating from the late Gothic period. Its origins are cautiously placed in the 15th or 16th century. Its straightforward designation as a press house points to the history of winegrowing, while its architectural form offers a separate point of interest.

The Catholic parish church of the Nativity of Mary in Bach an der Donau presents a different picture. It has a nave, a narrower choir and a tower over the choir. The church is dated to 1712, but the nave dates from 1979. These different dates make the church a distinctive counterpart to the late Gothic press house: the two buildings tell the story of the town’s development in different ways.

Cycle to the museum

If you are arriving by bicycle, follow the “Wine Route” signs. This route takes you to the BaierWein Museum via the Danube Cycle Path or the Danube Panorama Cycle Path.

More to discover in the wider Regensburg destination

The wider Regensburg destination also offers cultural and natural experiences with their own distinctive character. The Walhalla is a Neoclassical memorial and hall of fame on the Danube. Since 1842, important Germans and people associated with German history have been commemorated there with marble busts and plaques. Its Doric-style exterior features 52 columns. From the bus stop, a walk of around 20 minutes, via 358 steps, leads to the foot of the Walhalla.

Passenger boats on the Danube offer a seasonal way to reach the Walhalla: from Easter to October, Klinger and Wurm & Noé operate boats from Regensburg, at the Stone Bridge, to the foot of the Walhalla. Check the specific operating days before travelling.

Culture and nature come together in a different way at the nine-hectare Nepal-Himalaya Park in Wiesent. It features a Nepalese temple, a diverse perennial garden and numerous Asian works of art. The park also includes a Himalayan garden and a Chinese garden, as well as more than 6,200 different plant species. This means there are different experiences to choose from within the Regensburg destination: a memorial hall with Neoclassical design, or a park bringing together gardens, plants and art.

Once you have decided which places matter for your stay, you can choose accommodation based on your itinerary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Brunn, Sinzing, Regenstauf, Barbing, Hemau, Donaustauf, Regensburg, Wenzenbach.

Back to the wider travel overview: Regensburg.