Bergheim on the Danube: Churches and History

Bergheim is located right on the Danube, among gentle hills. It was first documented between 1182 and 1195. The first recorded consecration of St. Mauritius also dates to this period. Its riverside location and church history offer two distinct perspectives to consider when planning your trip.

St. Mauritius and its architectural history

The church of St. Mauritius in Bergheim is dedicated to Saints Mauritius and Dionysius. Its architectural history spans several stages: it was extensively renovated and given a Baroque makeover in 1744. The high altar dates from 1765; the Baroque redesign was consecrated in 1783. This brings the early history of the church together with a later building phase that can be traced over several decades.

The Marienkapelle (Chapel of St. Mary) also has its own chronology. It was built in 1748 on the site of an older chapel. Its altar contains a copy of the Altötting Madonna, acquired in 1702. The chapel’s construction date and the year the Madonna copy was acquired therefore point to different moments in its history.

The present-day St. Anna Chapel in Hennenweidach was built between 1910 and 1912. The St. Josef Chapel stands on Wiesenweg in Bergheim. The different dates and locations help distinguish these religious buildings: while St. Mauritius and the Marienkapelle are associated with dates from the 12th and 18th centuries, the present-day St. Anna Chapel belongs to a considerably later building phase.

Neuburg-Schrobenhausen as a wider area of interest

In the broader travel destination of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, the landscape stretches from striking rock formations in the north, through the Danube floodplain forest and the Donaumoos, to the asparagus fields of the Schrobenhausen region in the south. The wet meadows in the meadow-breeding bird areas of the Donaumoos and the Paartal are important habitats for the Eurasian curlew, northern lapwing, meadow pipit, corn bunting, whinchat, corncrake and common snipe. Here, the landscape and natural environment form a broader regional context than Bergheim’s local features.

The architectural history of the wider travel destination Neuburg-Schrobenhausen also extends far beyond Bergheim. Count Palatine Ottheinrich had Neuburg Residence Palace built between 1530 and 1545; it is an important example of early Renaissance architecture. The palace chapel is one of the oldest Protestant church buildings in the world and features frescoes by Hans Bocksberger dating from 1543. Grünau Hunting Lodge is also a fine example of early Renaissance architecture.

Regional experiences and choosing accommodation

For active trip planning, Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district offers further guidance: a 63-kilometre section of the Danube Cycle Path runs through the district from Donauwörth to Ingolstadt. Six signposted themed trails invite you to explore the Danube floodplain landscape. Temporary diversions are possible, so check the latest route details before setting out on a specific cycling trip. Regional route information may also be updated.

District tour guides offer themed tours and individually planned discovery trips. These include visits to museums or churches, guided walks and cycling tours with nature experiences. Check the official calendar for dates and booking conditions.

When looking for accommodation, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: would you like Bergheim, with its location on the Danube and its named religious buildings, to be the centre of your trip, or are you looking for a base for exploring other parts of the wider Neuburg-Schrobenhausen destination? The local history, regional landscapes and district-wide offerings provide different perspectives for planning your trip. Tailor your search to the aspect of your stay that matters most to you.

For the wider travel overview: Neuburg An Der Donau.