Scheer

Scheer is a town on the Danube in the district of Sigmaringen in Baden-Württemberg. It has a population of approximately 2,560.

Around 10,000 years ago Scheer didn't exist, obviously, and before the Ice Age, even the Danube was following a different course, through the Felsele, a valley between Scheer and Heudorf. But there are signs that this area was inhabited almost 4,000 years ago, and the eight Celtic burial mounds discovered near Scheer are evidence of an early settlement in the vicinity. The Romans and the Alemanni followed. Scheer first entered the annals in tenth century, and from 1289 it became a Hapsburg town with mighty fortifications. Scheer's eventful history brought it prosperity and prestige – and a castle which acquired its present form between 1485 and 1496. The castle stands in splendour on a promontory above the town, competing for our attention with the parish church of St. Nicholas, which was built as a triple-naved basilica back in the 14th century and given a baroque makeover in the mid-18th century. Other attractions include the Loretto Chapel and the small 17th-century Bartelstein Castle. The refined atmosphere in Scheer's picturesque centre is definitely one to savour. Guided tours provide insights into its history and culture, or you can take to the many footpaths and cycling trails to explore and experience the wonderful surroundings.

Accommodation in Scheer

Accommodation in Scheer ranges from cosy rented rooms to a three-star hotel. There's also a tempting variety of food on offer, with something to suit all tastes, be it a traditional inn serving Upper Swabian dishes or an award-winning gourmet restaurant. One of Scheer's local specialities is Gröscht's, which is typically eaten on the Monday of carnival. Offal is the main ingredient – liver, kidney, heart and tripe. Not for everyone perhaps but definitely worth a try.

Accommodation offer:

1. Hotels and Guest houses

2. Apartments and Rooms

Activities in Scheer

Scheer and neighbouring Heudorf make an ideal base for a hiking or cycling holiday. There are many signposted trails through the swathes of forest and meadows – perfect for walks and longer hikes, as you prefer. Anglers are also excellently catered for in Scheer. Other activities include climbing, golf, boat trips, canoeing tours, gliding, skydiving, balloon rides and horse riding. For windsurfing and swimming, head to the lakes – Zielfinger See, Illmensee, Hoskircher See or the Schwarzachtalseen – or check out Krauchenwies beach. There are thermal baths in nearby Bad Saulgau, Aulendorf, Bad Waldsee and Bad Buchau.

Scheer lies on the Mörike trail, marking the fact that the German Romantic poet Eduard Mörike spent several lengthy periods at his brother's home in the town and wrote some of his poems here. It is also on the Upper Swabian Baroque Route and part of the Upper Swabian Danube tourism region.

Beer tradition

At Bad Schussenried brewery, a family business founded as long ago as the 18th century, visitors can sample the fabulous beer as well as explore Germany's first beer stein museum. Created in 1994 and occupying two floors, this attraction presents an amazing variety of around 1,200 historical beer steins from 1550 to 1925, mostly from the senior director's private collection. The guided tour of the museum includes hilarious anecdotes and stories on the theme of beer and beer steins. It concludes with an opportunity to sample the brewery's speciality beers – accompanied by some tasty Swabian snacks – in the cosy museum bar or the shady beer garden.

Contact:

Scheer Council Office (Bürgermeisteramt)
Rathaus, Hauptstrasse 1

Tel.1: +49 (0)7572 761 60
Tel.2: +49 (0)7572 761 652

Website: www.stadt-scheer.de
E-mail: stadtscheer@scheer-online.de

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