During our five-day short break in the Bavarian Swabian vacation region, we had the opportunity to get to know the towns of Lauingen and Dillingen on the Danube river and explore them a little more closely. In our travel report, we show you a few beautiful photo spots and the most famous sights.
Table of contents
Our hotel in Dillingen
The Hotel SleepySleepy is located directly in the old town of Dillingen and is therefore ideal for exploring the town on foot. Lauingen is also only about 10 minutes away by car. This makes the accommodation an ideal starting point for exploring both cities. The hotel was opened in 2018 and offers a total of 76 spacious and modern rooms. Our family room was 26 m² in size, had 3 beds and an extra bed as well as a seating area. Private parking spaces are available in the underground garage and cost EUR 9 per day. The buffet breakfast costs 14 EUR per person and was delicious and varied. Overall, we felt very comfortable in the accommodation and can therefore recommend the hotel for a city trip.
Dillingen on the Danube
Interesting facts about Dillingen
Dillingen an der Donau is located in the Bavarian administrative district of Swabia and has around 19,000 inhabitants. The small town is located in the Danube valley, roughly halfway between the major cities of Augsburg and Ulm, which gives it a strategically favorable location in the heart of southern Germany. The most famous sights in Dillingen include the imposing Dillingen Castle, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Golden Hall in the former Jesuit College.
The origins of Dillingen can be traced back to an Alemannic settlement and an Ottonian castle. In the 10th century, the castle developed into a central location in a county and was first mentioned in 973. A marketplace was built in the immediate vicinity in the High Middle Ages, which was later expanded and led to Dillingen being granted town status in 1264. In the Middle Ages, Dillingen an der Donau developed into an important center in the Swabian region and experienced a boom in the 16. and The 17th century saw a significant phase of growth. The founding of the University of Dillingen in 1549, one of the oldest universities in Bavaria, was an important milestone. Unfortunately, however, Dillingen lost its residential function and the university in 1802, as the town fell to Bavaria as a result of secularization.
Dillingen has been home to a standing army since the second half of the 17th century, making it one of the oldest garrison towns in Bavaria. After the Second World War, when Dillingen was spared bomb damage, commercial enterprises and industry settled in the area.
The old town of Dillingen an der Donau
Central gate tower and Königstraße
From our centrally located Hotel SleepySleepy in the old town, we first walked through the Mitteltorturm to Königstraße.
The central gate tower dates back to the 15th century and originally served as part of the town fortifications. Its strategic location at one of the main entrances to the old town underlines its historical importance as a defense and control point. Over the centuries, it has been restored and rebuilt several times, largely preserving its original character. Inside the tower there are exhibition rooms that offer insights into the history of Dillingen and the function of the tower as part of the town fortifications.
Königstraße is the most important street in the city. It runs through the historic city center and connects important sights and city facilities. Historically, the Königstraße has a long tradition as a trade route and was once part of an important trade route through Swabia. Today, numerous stores, cafés and restaurants line the street. Perfect for us, as we were able to enjoy a delicious ice cream at the Eiscafé da Claudio. And it was so incredibly good that we are happy to recommend it to others: Large scoops, fair price, sensational taste and a huge selection. Our daughter still likes to think back to her unicorn ice cream 😉
Basilica of St. Peter
In a side street off Königstraße is the Basilica of St. Peter, one of the most important sacred buildings in the region. The three-nave hall church was built in the 17th century on the foundations of previous churches and impresses with its elaborately designed interior. In 1979, the church was declared a papal basilica minor.
On the forecourt of the basilica, we immediately noticed the small Mount of Olives Chapel on the left, which was consecrated in 1644. We found the artistically crafted Mount of Olives group above the chapel entrance super interesting, a depiction of the biblical scene that gives the chapel its name. The figures are of Jesus and his disciples, which were made from Upper Swabian terracotta around 1500.
Golden Hall & Study Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
For us, one of the most beautiful photo motifs in Dillingen is the ensemble of the Upper Pharmacy together with the building of the former Jesuit College and the Studienkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt.
Here we had the opportunity to visit the Golden Hall, which is located in the Academy for Teacher Training and Personnel Management (former university). The Golden Hall can be visited without guided tours from the beginning of April to the end of October, but only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 1 to 5 pm. Admission costs EUR 2 per person. When the new academy building was erected in 1688, a congregation hall was set up on the upper floor, which was decorated in 1761-64 in the magnificent late rococo style. Today, the Golden Hall impresses with its magnificent interior design and furnishings. The ceiling and walls are decorated with elaborate stucco work and frescoes depicting biblical scenes.
The Studienkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt was built between 1610 and 1617 and was originally the church of the Jesuit College in Dillingen. In the middle of the 18th century, the church was redesigned in the rococo style.
Dillingen Castle
Dillingen Castle was built in the 15th century and originally served as the residence of the prince-bishops of Augsburg. It was built on the remains of a medieval castle that was first mentioned in the 13th century. Over the centuries, the castle has been rebuilt and extended several times, incorporating various architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Today, Dillinger Castle houses the tax office.
Taxispark & Kneipp facility
The Swabian priest and naturopath Sebastian Kneipp had a significant connection to Dillingen an der Donau. This is why you come across his name again and again when walking through the city.
In 1850, during his time as a student in Dillingen, he fell seriously ill with tuberculosis, which led him to look for alternative healing methods. Kneipp came across the book “Lessons on the healing power of fresh water” by Johann Siegmund Hahn in the library. Inspired by this work, he began to try out cold water treatments on himself and achieved surprisingly positive results. This healing success became the basis for the development of water therapy, the first building block of Kneipp’s health teachings.
The Kneipp facility in Dillinger Taxispark is part of an approximately 4.2-kilometer circular route in Dillingen, which was designed according to the principles of Sebastian Kneipp. The park is free and open to visitors. And the main thing here is: shoes off and into the cold water 🙂 Our older daughter really enjoyed following the course of the river and running through the cold water. At the end of the river, you can also strengthen your immune system in a forearm pool according to Kneipp’s philosophy.
Other sights in the old town
On our circular route through Dillingen, we passed many other sights and beautiful photo spots. For example, we found the Wilhelm Bauer fountain at the harbor market exciting. Wilhelm Bauer was born in Dillingen an der Donau and is considered to be the first German submarine builder. Bauer built the oldest surviving submarine in the world – the “Brandtaucher” – and was also a pioneer in wreck salvage.
Lauingen on the Danube
Interesting facts about Lauingen
The town of Lauingen an der Donau has around 11,000 inhabitants and stretches along the north bank of the Danube, around 40 kilometers northwest of Augsburg and 90 kilometers northeast of Ulm.
Lauingen originated from an Alemannic settlement in the 6th century. In the 8th century, Lauingen was donated to the Fulda monastery and became a Staufer monastery around 1150. The Hohenstaufen dynasty raised the village of Lauingen to the status of a town. The town played an important role during the time of the Reformation and the Thirty Years’ War, as it achieved great prosperity thanks to its extensive trade and skilled craftsmanship. This is how today’s image of Lauingen with its beautiful gables on the main street, narrow alleyways and picturesque corners was created.
An important son of the city is the polymath Albertus Magnus, who lived and worked in the 13th century. The historic old town with its well-preserved buildings bears witness to the rich history and eventful times that Lauingen has lived through. Lauingen’s most famous sights include the walk-in mold tower, the parish church of St. Martin with its striking tower and the Albertus Magnus monument, which commemorates the famous scholar. Another highlight is Lauingen Castle, which was built in the Renaissance style and is now home to the Elisabethenstiftung.
The old town of Lauingen on the Danube
Old City wall
We parked our car in the free parking lot Segrepromenade on the Danube (location in Google Maps). From here it is only a few minutes to the old town.
Our way into the old town led us through the Tränktor, which was part of the former city fortifications. The rectangular, three-storey tower with a gabled roof was first mentioned in 1336 and is now a protected architectural monument. This is also where the lake stage is located, which serves as a venue for Lauingen’s music clubs and many other cultural activities.
Marketplace & Schimmelturm
Our first port of call in the old town was the market square, the historical and cultural heart of the city. The town hall, which was built in the 18th century, is also located here.
However, the town’s most striking landmark is the Schimmelturm in Lauingen. The Schimmelturm was built in the 15th century by order of councillor Georg Imhof and, as part of the medieval city fortifications, was intended to provide a better overview of the countryside. The tower, which stands free on two sides, has nine square and two octagonal storeys and a three-storey lantern with a wavy dome and is approx. 54 m high.
And the great thing is that you can climb the mold tower for just EUR 2. You can pick up the key for access to the tower at Hotel Lodner or at the town hall (citizens’ office). Both are just a few steps away from the tower. There are 212 steps up to the viewing platform, initially through a stone spiral walkway, later there are increasingly narrow and steep wooden steps. Once at the top, you have a wonderful view of the town of Lauingen and the surrounding area.
Sights in the old town
After our visit to the mold tower, we walked a little through the old town of Lauingen. Here you will find repeated references to the theologian, scientist and philosopher Albertus Magnus (Albert the Great), who was born around 1200 AD in the Swabian town of Lauingen. Another attraction is Lauingen Castle, which dates back to the 15th century and has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. Today, the Elisabethenstiftung is located in the castle.
Temple of Apollo Grannus
Just outside Lauingen, in the Faimingen district, there are the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the Celtic god Apollo-Grannus. At 1,000 m², the Temple of Apollo Grannus was the largest Roman temple north of the Alps and finds suggest that it probably served as a supra-regional sanctuary. Since 1987, the temple has been partially reconstructed and developed into a small open-air museum with display boards.
When you read “largest Roman temple north of the Alps”, you naturally have high expectations. We were therefore a little surprised that our navigation system took us to a residential area (location in Google Maps). The remains of the temple are really located between normal residential buildings – we didn’t expect that 😉 Even though some parts have been beautifully reconstructed and admission is free, there is unfortunately not too much to see here.
Dinner at Buddy Dillingen
To round off our tour of Dillingen and Lauingen, we enjoyed dinner at Buddy Dillingen right next to our hotel, Hotel SleepySleepy. A great atmosphere and totally delicious food, therefore highly recommended.
