Schongau_Image_2014_ENG_EZ

time out in
on the Romantic Road
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Welcome
time out in Schongau
time out – leisure – holiday in Pfaffenwinkel
On tour in this beautiful countryside, experiencing Schongau, the historic town in the
Upperbavarian foothills of the Alps and feeling the spirit of the medieval times.
In an exposed position lies the town of Schongau above the river Lech. Take your time to
explore the sentry walk of the ancient city wall and to discover the towers and gates.
Be impressed by the baroque parish church Mariae Himmelfahrt. While on a side trip to the
town museum you can learn about the extensive history of the town and its architecture.
A heartfelt welcome to Schongau.
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Welcome 02
Town impressions 04
People, Bavarian costumes and traditions 06
Guided tours of the town 08
Hiking and sport 10
History 12
Everything at a glance 14
Play and pleasure 16
Around Pfaffenwinkel 18
Winter impressions 20
Art and culture 22
Your way to find us 24
Surrounded by the 800-year-old city wall the
historic centre rises on a hill crest, framed by
the river Lech. The main axis right through
the old part of Schongau is typical for the town
concept of the Stauferian period. It´s a great
experience to walk or cycle across Schongau´s
green surroundings.

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TOWN IMPRESSIONS
The fresco “confirmation of the town charter by emperor Ludwig the Bayer”
dated 1331 welcomes visitors at the Maxtor. Traders, pilgrims and travellers reached
the sheltering town through this gate for many centuries.
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time out in the historic centre
The artistically decorated
parish church
Mariae Himmelfahrt is a
real jewel. The guild poles
show the individual
trades with their saints.
The Gothic Ballenhaus with its
characteristic stairpediments
reminds of the golden age as
a trading centre.
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PEOPLE, BAVARIAN COSTUMES AND TRADITIONS
time out
The Feast of Corpus Christi, kermis and the mounted festive procession in honour
of St. Leonhard are celebrated quite confidently in Schongau. Guests and
locals experience these fond rituals and traditions that are shown in an authentic way.
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combined with tradition
The youth of the folklore
society impresses with their
dances and the town´s brass
band accompanies secular
and religious celebrations.
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GUIDED TOURS OF THE TOWN
time out
tour through the city
During an exciting walk through the historic centre, Schongau´s tour guides
tell you about history and remarkable occurrences. The delightful tour brings alive
the old Roman roads, the dangerous rafting on the river Lech, the trade
with the rich merchants of Augsburg, scary witch trials and the historical novels
of Oliver Pötzsch that deal with the adventures of the hangman´s daughter.
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during a guided
With its 17.25 m the so-called
Polizeidienerturm (old entrance) is the
highest of the five preserved
towers of the city wall. The town museum
with its amazing architecture holds
finds and exhibits of three millenniums.
The baroque parish church Mariae
Himmelfahrt was completed
in 1753 according to plans by the
Royal Master Builder Johann
Baptist Gunetzrhainer. Dominikus
Zimmermann, the famous
builder of Wieskirche decorated it
elaborately with stucco work.
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HIKING AND SPORT
time out along the river Lech
Hiking, cycling, canoeing … No matter whether you walk along the recently
built theme-based-path “Romans and Guelphs along the river Lech”
or ride your bike along the former railway line of Sachsenried – there is a huge
variety of offers for adventurous and sportive holiday-makers in and
around Schongau. It is a lot of fun to go river rafting on the Lech, concluding it
with a stop at the so called “Lido” (an open air pub built on stilts).
Stopping at a beergarden is a must in summer and in winter you can relax while
having a cosy candlelight dinner at an inn – you are on holiday after all.
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While rowing your boat on the
Schongauer Lechsee or riding your
bike you take in pure nature with all
your senses and enjoy the exercise.
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HISTORY
Journey to the Middle Ages - Since the spectacular performance of the open-air theatre
“The Witch of Schongau” the Marienplatz has belonged to travelling entertainers, minnesingers,
street traders and jugglers every August. The medieval market enchants you with exotic
scents, tasty delicacies and all kind of craftsmanship. Visitors can´t resist being fascinated by
the music and dancing of minstrels with their barrel-organ or lute.
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time out in the Middle Ages
On a mild summer evening the
Marienplatz with its “Historic Market”
is a meeting point with friends.
Craftsmen show their
skills and invite
you to stroll and linger.
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everything at a glance
The town of Schongau – gate to Pfaffenwinkel
on the Romantic Road
Fairyland wood
Recorded narrations of fairy tales by the Grimm
Brothers, movable figures of the different stories
in magically small houses, an enchanted wood and
countless animals – that´s what children expire at
the fairyland wood of Schongau. Additional attractions
for the children are the game preserve with its pot
bellied pigs, mountain goats and pheasants. While the
parents take a small break
on the terrace of the restaurant, the children can hop on
the miniature vintage railroad , or explore the park on a
pony ride.
Schongau´s fairyland wood is open daily from
April 1 to November 1, from 9 am to 7 pm.
In April and October they close at 6 pm.
Address: Diessener Str. 6, 86956 Schongau,
Tel: 08861 7527, www.schongauer-maerchenwald.de
Guided tours of the town
Every Friday at 5 pm from May to October.
Additional guided tours in July and September every
Tuesday at 5 pm. Meeting point: In front of the tourist
information at the townhall, Münzstraße 1 – 3.
Theme based guided tours according to the
programme. Guided tours for groups on request.
Parking in Schongau
There are convenient parking facilities in the
historic town close to the shops. The underground
car park at Amtsgerichtsstraße is within easy
reach. Outside the historic centre you find a car park
at Fanschuhstraße or at Buchenweg.
E-Bikes
The new dimension of cycling …
Enjoy the ultimative fun of biking in the Pfaffenwinkel.
Just rent your e-bike (Swiss Flyer) at the Schongau
tourist information and a dense net of accumulator
base units will grant you endless mobility.
Tel. 08861 214-181
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Town museum of Schongau
Christophstraße 55 - 57, 86956 Schongau
opening hours: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday
and public holidays from 2 pm to 5 pm,
except New Year´s day, carnival Sunday,
Good Friday and on December 24/25.
Tel. 08861 254605
Places for swimming
“Plantsch” cheering swim- and saunaland.
With Bavaria´s biggest wide wavy slide, a warm
water pool which has a lot more to offer than
just warm water, and a huge choice of wellness
varieties, “Plantsch” is a recreation area for
adults and children.
Lechuferstraße 6, 86956 Schongau
Tel. 08861 214 - 444, info@plantsch-schongau.de,
www.plantsch-schongau.de
An idyllic lawn invites you for sunbathing at the
lakeshore of the Lech, a perfect place to relax at
Lechuferstraße in Schongau.
Concert series
“Festival Summer in Wies”
The classic concerts are performed in the most
magnificent churches of the Pfaffenwinkel and in
the world famous Wies Chapel during the summer.
Tickets are available at the tourist information.
Train and bus
There is an hourly train service to Schongau,
the so called “Werdenfels-Takt”.
Information hotline: Tel. 0800 1507090
The city-bus takes you all around the town.
Infos available at Enzian-Reisen.
Tel. 08861 2312-0.
Camper site
The large camper site on the fairground at
Lechuferstraße is easy to find. On your way into
town there are corresponding signs to guide you
there. Suitable for about 70 pitches for mobile
homes (caravans and tents are excluded).
The ground provides you toilet facilities and a
medical station. Within a very short distance you
find the Schongauer Lechsee and the adventure
pool “Plantsch”,
Tel. 08861 214-444. Information: Tourist
Information, 86956 Schongau, Tel. 08861 214-181.
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PLAY AND PLEASURE
A cheerful day of your vacation for the whole family – you go for a swim,
enjoy the warmth of the sauna and watch the children play.
The adventure pool “Plantsch” offers wellness and recreation all year round.
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time out while playing
Depictions of Grimm´s
fairytales can be found at the
children´s eye-level in the
fairytale forest of Schongau.
They listen with eager
anticipation to the fairytales,
with Hansel and Gretel
being the most popular story.
Another highlight is the little
zoo with sheep, goats,
pot bellied pigs and ponies.
Games in and around the water
promise an adventurous day. The
little ones have a lot of fun in
the aqua-adventure-jungle, whereas
the siblings get a lot of exercise
on the wide-wavy-slide or at the
beach-volleyball ground.
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iN THE PFAFFENWiNKEL REGiON
time out for tranquility of mind
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The Monastery Churches of Rottenbuch and Steingaden are places to
find the tranquility of mind. One of the most stunning effects has
the Romanesque basilica in Altenstadt that impresses by its unadorned
architecture. The extraordinary portrayal of “Christ the King”
the “Glorious God of Altenstadt” encourages visitors to meditate.
Monastery churches like the
Welfenmünster (Guelph minster)
Steingaden and the collegiate
church of Rottenbuch are attractive
destinations for art enthusiasts.
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WINTER IMPRESSIONS
The snow-covered town, the illuminated
streets, the festive Christmas tree on
the Marienplatz, the baroque parish church –
all that conveys the illusion of stepping
into a big, walk-in-Advent-calendar.
The crib exhibition gets you into the right mood
for Christmas. Ginger bread and mulled
wine raise your level of anticipation in that
special season.
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time out in Advent
The visitor can explore the
town museum in the former
Erasmus church where
interesting exhibitions are
shown. The numismatic
department with its medieval
coin collection is worth
to be seen and last but not
least you should have a
look at the archaeological
exhibition as well.
The fancy decorated stands on
the Christmas fair inspire
you to go for a stroll while feeling
the spirit of Advent. Guests
and locals find the right
Christmas present in the quiet
atmosphere of that market.
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ART AND CULTURE
The concerts “Festival Summer in Wies”
have elated the audience with excellent music
in the most beautiful churches of
the Pfaffenwinkel region for 50 years.
Experience the remarkable harmony of architecture,
theology, light and music. The castles of the
magic King Ludwig II take you into an outstanding
world and put a spell on you. Both castles,
Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, are within easy reach.
time out at the Wies Chapel
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The royal castle of Linderhof is
considered as the favourite castle
of King Ludwig II. Visitors will
find the grotto of the venus like a
jewel in the surrounding estate.
The royal castle of Neuschwanstein
makes you feel like in a dream.
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time out in
on the Romantic Road
Augsburg
66 km
München
73 km
Lindau
Landsberg
Lech
Ammersee
Starnberg
Kempten
54 km
Marktoberdorf
Schongau
Altenstadt
Steingarden
Peiting
Rottenbuch
Wieskirche
Weilheim
Peißenberg
Starnberger
See
Forggensee
Füssen
37 km
Schloss
Linderhof
Schloss
Neuschwanstein
Oberammergau
Garmisch
Partenkirchen
50 km
Schongau´s twin towns:
Abingdon, England
Colmar, France
Lucca, Italy
Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
Gogolin, Poland
Dübendorf, Switzerland
VIA
ROMEA
Kurtatsch, South Tyrol
Tourist Information Schongau
Münzstraße 1 – 3
86956 Schongau
Tel. +49 (0) 8861 214-181
Fax +49 (0) 8861 214-881
touristinfo@schongau.de
Editor: Tourist Information Schongau,
Responsible for content: Ursula Diesch
Concept and production: Farenholtz. office for
design, NETmark5 GmbH
www.netmark5.de
Photos: Diana Bruhn Igling,
BSE-AIRpix.de, BSE-pictures.de
© Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung
www.schloesser.bayern.de,
Anton J. Brandl,
Konrad Rainer,
Print: EOS Print, St. Ottilien
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www.schongau.de