Kelheim

Kelheim, former ducal town in the heart of Bavaria, was first mentioned in records in the year 866. In 1181Duke Otto I of Wittelsbach grants his native town its charta of town an makes it one of his residences. Remains of the 12th century fortifications have been superbly preserved. But Kelheim also has more recent attractions to offer. The town's landmark - the classical 'Hall of Liberty' monument on Mount Michelsberg built by Ludwig I of Bavaria - greets its visitors from the distance. The little town is surrounded by magnificent landscape and nestles in a wide valley basin flanked by thick alluvial forests on the Jura slopes at the confluence of the Altmühl, the present-day Main-Danube canal and the Danube. River cruises start from here, with boats taking their passengers on the popular trips through the romantic Danube gorge and into the picturesque Altmühl valley. But another excellent way to relax and re-energise is to go hiking or cycling in the beautiful countryside around Kelheim.

Places to see:

Hall of Liberty, built 1842-1863, parish church of 'Maria Himmelfahrt', with a Gothic Pietà from around 1500, superb remains of the fortifications including towers and gates; archeological museum in the Late Gothic Herzogskasten of the old ducal palace. Franciscan church with organ museum. Weltenburg Abbey, oldest abbey in Bavaria, with Benedictine abbey church (built by the Asam brothers in 1716-1735).
The Danube gorge, a breathtaking, unparalleled combination of water, rock and forest, has been awarded the European Diploma as the 'Danube Aperture'. Nature reserves 'Weltenburger Enge' (Danube Aperture')

Things to do:

Altmühl, Abends and Danube bike trail intersections; boating on the canal and the Danube, water park 'Keldorado', river cruises from here on the Danube and the Main-Danube canal as far as Berching (information from: Danube landing stage, tel.: 0 9441/58 58 and Altmühl valley, tel.: 09441/701234). Church concerts twice a year in Weltenburg Abbey and further concerts during the year in Kelheim.

Information available from:

Tourist-Information
Ludwigsplatz 16, 93309 Kelheim

www.kelheim.de
tourismus.kelheim@t-online.de