Ingolstadt

The city of Ingolstadt in the Free State of Bavaria has a population of just under 130,000, making it the second-largest city in Upper Bavaria after Munich, and the fifth-largest in Bavaria after Munich, Nuremberg, Augsburg and Regensburg. It is located roughly half way between Munich and Nuremberg, and the city boundary is only 14km from the geographical centre of Bavaria, which is just outside the village of Kipfenberg.

City Highlights

Lovingly restored gabled merchants' houses, splendid city gates, imposing towers and an impressive fortress dominate the cityscape. Restaurants, art and many events add extra colour and turn any shopping trip to Ingolstadt into an enjoyable outing. Festivals and markets are held throughout the year, with museums, concerts, exhibitions and theatre performances rounding off the attractions on offer. The Audi Forum Ingolstadt with its 'museum mobile' and the exclusive outlet shopping centre Ingolstadt Village are other firm favourites. As is the picturesque old quarter, best accessed through the splendid Kreuztor gate. This is the most beautiful of the remaining city gates and used to be part of the extensive fortifications. Today it is Ingolstadt's most famous landmark and a delightful example of medieval architecture. Beyond the gate, some magnificent sights await the visitor, such as the New Palace, the Asam Church with its famous Lepanto monstrance, the Alte Anatomie and the Old Town Hall – originally a group of four buildings completely redesigned in 1882 in a neo-Renaissance style. Next to this stands the city's oldest parish church, St. Moritz. A Romanesque church tower rises on its northern side, while to the south stands the slender, Gothic Pfeifturm, formerly a watchtower. Two hundred steps lead up to the top of this tower, which offers outstanding panoramic views of Ingolstadt and the late-Gothic minster, the largest hall church in southern Germany.

At the Ingolstadt Village outlet shopping centre, you'll find one exclusive boutique after another: Calvin Klein, Stefanel, Rosenthal, Fred Perry and Strenesse are just a few examples. What's more, everything is much more affordable than in Milan, Paris or London. The outlet centre offers an incredible 10,000² square metres of year-round reductions on everything from clothing, shoes and jewellery to home accessories and tableware by fashion and designer labels from Germany and around the world.

The visually stunning Audi Forum is an automotive world of discovery that has much to offer, even for those who are not interested in cars. Featuring an Audi museum, a service building, customer centre and stylish restaurants, the Audi Forum presents a varied programme of themed guided tours, concerts, exhibitions, films, lectures and children's activities that promise an exciting experience all year round.

Located within a 19th century fortress, the City Museum in Ingolstadt presents a whole host of exhibits documenting the development of the city and the region from early times up to the present day. The Toy Museum and the Museum of Agricultural Machinery in Hundszell are also part of the City Museum.

Modern art is well represented in Ingolstadt by the Museum of Concrete Art, whose collection is considered one of the most extensive of its kind in Europe. The city is also home to the Alf Lechner Museum, dedicated to one of the 20th century's foremost sculptors in steel.

The Church of St. Moritz, dating from 1234, is the oldest church in the city. Its massive roof truss consists of seven attics, one above the other, said to have been built out of 7,000 tree trunks. The vast church interior holds exquisite altars, reliefs, stone figures, portraits and wood carvings. The city's university, which had close links with St. Moritz, was founded in 1472 as Bavaria's first state university. Thanks to its university, Ingolstadt flourished and became the intellectual and cultural centre of Bavaria for more than three centuries. The city still retains some echoes from that heady time, best experienced during a türmerey, a late-night guided walk through the city led by a 'genuine' medieval night watchman.

Accommodation in Ingolstadt

The many hotels and guesthouses in Ingolstadt not only offer a place to stay, they also provide the warmest hospitality from the moment you arrive – no matter whether you're staying at a luxury hotel, a guesthouse or a B&B. Ingolstadt also has a youth hostel, which is located within the historical Kavalier Zweibrücken fortress on the western edge of the old quarter. Besides that, you'll find a whole host of other establishments offering affordable accommodation in the city.

The 'Daniel', Ingolstadt's oldest inn, is an attraction in itself. It has offered guests typical Bavarian hospitality since 1471 and also has a lovely beer garden in the summer. It serves hearty local fare: the speciality of the house is roast pork with red cabbage and dumplings. It also offers a special lunch menu with dishes under €10 and a daily breakfast of Bavarian weisswurst sausages.

Cuisine

Good food and equally good beer have a long tradition in Ingolstadt, and the locals are proud of their welcoming restaurants, stylish bars and quaint inns. Ingolstadt is also a great place for sampling the famous Bavarian beer. For centuries, it has been brewed from nothing other than barley, hops and water, thanks to the Bavarian Beer Purity Law passed by Duke William IV in Ingolstadt in 1516.

Contact:

Tourist Information at the Old Town Hall
Rathausplatz 2
85049 Ingolstadt

Tel.: +49 (0)841 305 3030
Fax: +49 (0)841 305 3029

Tourist Information at Ingolstadt central station & advance ticket sales
Elisabethstrasse 3
85051 Ingolstadt

Tel.: +49 (0)841 305 3005
Fax: +49 (0)841 305 3008

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