Lauingen

Part of the district of Dillingen, Lauingen lies at the edge of the Swabian Alb. Just before it gets to Lauingen, the Danube is dammed up to form the Faimingen reservoir. Shortly after the barrage, the Danube is joined by the Brenz river.

City Highlights

The Albertus Magnus statue, erected in honour of Lauingen's most famous son, lies at the heart of the town in the centre of the market square. The square is dominated by two buildings: the neo-classical town hall, which was constructed between 1782 and 1790 and is reminiscent of a grand residence, and the Schimmelturm, a 54-metre-high watch tower whose foundation stone was laid in 1457. Frescoes old and modern depict scenes from Lauingen's history, and anyone climbing the tower's eleven storeys will be rewarded with a splendid view of the old quarter and the sweep of the Danube. St. Augustine's Church, which is part of the abbey of the same name, brings to six the number of churches making their mark on Lauingen's skyline. One of them, the 16th century parish church of St. Martin, is perhaps more beautiful than all the others. Its huge 62-metre interior is supported by seven pairs of bright, narrow pillars that divide up the space in the most wonderful way. But the inhabitants of Lauingen were not only religious. They were well defended too. This can be seen in Brunnental, the medieval outskirts on the Danube traversed by streams and springs, where a small part of the town's fortified wall remains. From this you can see why this affluent town has often been involved in wars and battles, but never conquered. Today, however, Lauingen is yours to explore at your leisure.

In the suburb of Faimingen are the ruins of a Roman temple that is named after both the Roman god Apollo and his Celtic equivalent, Grannus. With a footprint of 1,000 square metres, this was perhaps the largest and most important Roman temple north of the Alps and clearly a place of worship of great significance for this part of the empire. Open since 1987 the temple has been partly reconstructed and is now a small open-air museum with information boards. Admission is free.

Located on the banks of the Danube where it's joined by the Brenz river, the landscaped grounds of Luitpoldhain park are a pleasant place for a peaceful and relaxing stroll. Children can have fun in the idyllically located playground. The best view of the former ducal castle can be had from here. There are lots of options for scenic walks in the Pfannental valley area. The Pfannentalhaus hikers' lodge is the ideal starting point for walks through the Danube valley, the Nördlinger Ries depression and the baroque Härtsfeld region. Equally attractive for nature lovers is Lauingen's riverside woodland, an unspoilt ancient forest that is home to rare birds and amphibians, and plants such as the alpine thistle and monkshood. In winter, the Pfannental valley is a popular destination for tobogganists.

Accommodation and restaurants in Lauingen

From guesthouses, hotels and restaurants, to bistros, beer gardens, bars and ice cream parlours, Lauingen lacks nothing when it comes to hospitality. Food here ranges from hearty Bavarian, to freshly prepared regional dishes, to a wide range of international cuisines. Built in 1873 and located in the heart of the town, the hotel, restaurant and café by the Schimmelturm tower is especially recommended. Its cheerful exterior with its early art nouveau stucco facade sets the tone for its warm hospitality and excellent food.

Activities in Lauingen

Cyclists, too, will find in Lauingen the perfect starting point for their travels. The Dillinger Land holiday region is ideal for cycling of all kinds, from leisurely to demanding. In the former category is the wide, flat Danube valley offering various routes with minimal climbing. More adventurous cyclists should head south to the Augsburg Western Woods Nature Park. And if that's still not enough, the foothills of the Swabian Alb in the north of the Dillinger Land should keep even the most demanding cyclist happy. Finally the Swabian Danube Valley Cycle Route allows you to explore the region's unique attractions and distinctive features.

The main route of the new 'radorado' cycle path follows the Brenz river for 55km, from its picturesque source in Königsbronn until it meets the Danube at the Roman temple in Faimingen. Known as the BrenzTour, this main route is suitable for leisurely cycling, whereas the four loop trails leading off it encompass climbs and wooded trails and are therefore more demanding.

Contact:

Stadt Lauingen (Donau)
Herzog-Georg-Strasse 17
89415 Lauingen (Donau)

Tel.: +49 (0)9072 9980
Fax: +49 (0)9072 998 190

stadt@lauingen.de
www.lauingen.de

Opening times:

Monday to Wednesday
8.30am to 12 noon, 2pm to 4pm
Thursday 8.30am to 12 noon, 2pm to 5.45pm
Friday 8.30am to 12 noon

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