Riedlingen

Located in Baden-Württemberg on the southern edge of the Swabian Alb in a wide Danube valley, Riedlingen is a town of 10,000 inhabitants. It extends westwards and northwards to the foothills of the Alb and the heavily forested Teutschbuch and Österberg hills (734 and 652 metres respectively). To the south is the region's most famous peak, Mount Bussen (767 metres), often referred to as Upper Swabia's 'Holy Mountain'.

City Highlights

Riedlingen's market square lies at the centre of a wonderful old town ensemble comprising beautifully restored merchants' houses from the 17th and 18th centuries and the town's main landmark, the late-Gothic Catholic parish church of St. George with its fine baptistry. It's also worth attending one of the church's organ concerts. The organ was only installed in 1997 but has already gained a reputation well beyond the region. The Schöne Stiege merchant's house, built in 1556 and used today as the town museum, is one of Upper Swabia's most distinguished half-timbered buildings of the period.

The Wegscheiderhaus was built somewhat later. Dating from the 18th century, this grand residence belonged to the painter and mayor Joseph Ignaz Wegscheider. At the edge of the town there is a castle and church that are as worthy of a detour as the idyllically located Chapel of the Guardian Angel and the extensive park with its ancient trees. A short distance south of Riedlingen in the district of Neufra there is an extraordinary Renaissance hanging garden. Built in front of the equally wonderful castle on a man-made extension of the castle hill, the garden rests on 14 vaulted substructures. Slightly further to the north is picturesque Zwiefaltendorf Castle, which dates back to the 11th century. In fact 'picturesque' is a label that applies almost anywhere here – as the view from Mount Bussen, which can be seen from Riedlingen, will confirm.

The Riedlingen Museum was opened in 2002 in the half-timbered Schöne Stiege house. A wide range of exhibits in the permanent exhibition covers Riedlingen's economy as well as the history of the town and its church, postal service and press. Highlights include an edition of the Riedlingen Zeitung newspaper from 1720 and a special collection of reverse glass paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, of which 150 are on display. The merchant house itself, built in 1556 and superbly maintained to this day, is an outstanding example of architecture and domestic life in the early modern era and occupies a prominent position in Upper Swabia's architectural history.

http://www.museum-riedlingen.de/museum.html

Visitors and large groups wishing to avail themselves of the services of a personal tour guide for the town should speak to the museum's staff, who will be happy to share their expertise and experience. Tours of the town are also available by audio guide in three languages.

Not far from the museum in Schöne Stiege, in the Hospital of the Holy Spirit on Wochenmarkt, is the town's art gallery, while the library in the former Capuchin abbey contains a memorial to the writer Werner Dürrson.

The Fire Brigade Museum houses a comprehensive private collection of firefighting equipment spread over two floors. The ground floor contains fire engines and hand-operated pumps, while the upper floor displays helmets, ceremonial weaponry, buckets and various types of hose.

Accommodation in Riedlingen

Riedlingen is a welcoming and relaxing place, ideal for spending a few days exploring the medieval town and its surroundings. There is a wide range of inns and hotels as well as guesthouses, holiday lets, private lodgings and places to pitch a tent. Various eateries and restaurants serve up the culinary specialities of the region. For something a little different, you could book into Germany's smallest castle hotel at the hanging gardens in Neufra. For a rustic romantic stay, try the castle tower (max. four people).

For motorhomes, Riedlingen offers three centrally located pitches on Hindenburgstrasse, from where it's just a few minutes' walk to the historical town centre and Missmahl'sche Anlagen park. The pitches can be used free of charge and without reservation for up to three nights. The site has water and power hook-ups as well as sewage and other waste disposal facilities.

Activities in Riedlingen

At 767 metres, Mount Bussen, Upper Swabia's 'Holy Mountain', is the highest elevation in the area. One of Upper Swabia's most visited pilgrimage sites, it provides superb views stretching as far as the Alps. Behind the Church of St. Mary, which can be seen from miles around, the castle ruins are regularly used for events and as a backdrop for photos.

Contact:

Stadt Riedlingen (town council)
Marktplatz 1
88499 Riedlingen

Tel.: +49 (0)7371 1830
Fax: +49 (0)7371 18350
info@riedlingen.de
www.riedlingen.de

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