Wörth an der Donau

Wörth is actually on the small river Wiesent, not the Danube. There's also Wiesent village slightly further west. Even the Wiesent only skirts past Oberachdorf in the south before flowing into the old arm of the Danube in the Gmünder Au conservation area. Nevertheless Wörth genuinely is a Danube town, positioned idyllically between the Falkenstein foothills and the Gäuboden plain. Set in lofty splendour against this wonderful scenery is the town's pride and joy: Wörth Castle, a Renaissance edifice with a mighty, six-storey keep.

City Highlights

A summer residence of the bishops of Regensburg, it was built between 1522 and 1525 by Duke Johann of the Palatinate on the foundations of a medieval castle dating from around 1200. Its present-day appearance dates from the early 17th century. At the foot of the castle hill stands the recently renovated parish church of St. Peter, an attractive blend of Romanesque, Gothic and baroque styles and topped by a 50 metre tower. Other historically interesting churches that can be incorporated into a walk include St. Michael's Church in Hofdorf, the filial church of St. James in Kiefenholz and the mountain church of St. Ulrich in Tiefenthal. Alternatively follow the Way of the Cross from Herrngasse to the plague chapel on Herrnberg hill – and be rewarded with a splendid view of the town. Wörth an der Donau has a population of around 4,500 and is set in a densely wooded area between the Bavarian Forest foothills and the Danube plain. It is part of the Bavarian region of Upper Palatinate, whose capital is Regensburg, and marks the half-way point between Regensburg and Straubing – each around 20 kilometres away. For any queries about leisure activities and accommodation or to request a brochure or cycling and hiking maps, please contact the tourist information office.

Accommodation in Wörth an der Donau

In Wörth an der Donau you can stay in a cosy holiday apartment or one of the many rustic inns offering accommodation and original Bavarian cuisine: try Hotel-Gasthof und Metzgerei Butz, Gasthof Geier or Gasthof Pflamminger.

In summertime there are blissfully shady gardens for lingering over a hearty snack and a fresh, cold beer.

There are some restrictions on visiting Wörth Castle because part of it is a nursing home, but the council-owned southern wing contains an impressive rotunda room and the Chapel of St. Martin, both of which are well worth seeing. In the 17th century the rotunda room was decorated by the Regensburg artist Jakob Heybel, who painted a series of twenty-two classical scenes evoking themes such as power and wisdom. Prince bishop Albrecht Sigmund, who commissioned the works, must have been enormously flattered.

The Museum of Nostalgia in Hofdorf houses a private collection in a heritage-listed former forester's lodge. On show in five buildings are tin and wooden toys, construction kits, puppets and marionettes, dolls' kitchens, toy shops, film, photo and TV equipment, amateur radio sets, local, domestic and religious artefacts, agricultural machinery and appliances, vintage cars, engines, groceries and clothing, as well as hand tools used by printers, shoemakers and wheelwrights. Many of these objects move or make a noise at the touch of a button. The nostalgia café uses recipes handed down through generations.

Activities in Wörth an der Donau

Wörth an der Donau is the departure point for an approx. 45km section of the international Danube Cycle Route that will take you to Matting to the west of Regensburg. With its flat, pleasant terrain, this particular leg of the route is excellent for family cycling as well as for children's tours and taster tours.

The Goldsteig, a quality-certified hiking trail through the Upper Palatinate and Bavarian Forests, passes Wörth on its way from Falkenstein to Wiesenfelden (stage S12). Opened in September 2007, it uses parts of the long-distance Castle Trail and Upper Palatinate Trail and the European trails E6 and E8. The route underwent a thorough testing process to ensure certification as a Wanderbares Deutschland premium trail; at 660 kilometres, it's the longest and most varied quality-certified hiking trail in the whole of Germany.

Other circular hikes, the Upper Palatinate Trail and the St James' Way are just some of the many options for walkers in Wörth.

In winter, cross-country skiers can tackle a 10km circular trail, which is extended to 12km in good snow conditions.

Contact:

Tourist Information
Rathausplatz 1
93086 Wörth an der Donau

Tel. +49 (0)9482 940 30
Fax +49 (0)9482 3291

vg.woerth@realrgb.de
www.stadt-woerth.de

Opening times:

Monday to Wednesday 8am to 12 noon and 1.30 to 3.30pm
Thursday 8am to 12 noon and 1.30 to 6pm
Friday 8am to 12 noon

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