Sleeping Lulled by the History

Historical Dwellings in the Nature Park's Most Beautiful Towns

ALTMÜHLTAL NATURE PARK (Bavaria) - A tower built in the 13th century soars over the near buildings in the old centre of Kelheim. Inside it, wooden timbers and wrinkled walls make you feel like being literally wrapped in history. Those who stay overnight at the hotel "Turmhotel Erasmus" are guests in a historic dwelling bestowed with the seal "Zu Gast im Denkmal". This seal is assigned only to special accommodation facilities in the Altmühltal Nature Park that guarantee a true historic experience. These facilities are to be found in the whole Nature Park and in particular in its 15 resorts that are most beautiful and richest in history. The richness of Bavaria’s historical and architectural heritage is to be found also in the Altmühltal region with many buildings testifying to the stream of ages standing the ones next to the others. Of course, this style variety reflects in the accommodation facilities, too.

Enthusiasts of holidays in art cities can start for a journey through time with the two tours that are described in the brochure "Städtetouren" (in German) and on the website of the Altmühltal Nature Park. The first itinerary connects Neumarkt i.d.OPf. with its interesting museums to Kelheim and discloses the "unique treasures of the Altmühltal Nature Park". It also reaches Riedenburg, the medieval town with three castles, and Eichstätt, which opens a window on the Baroque with the splendid buildings erected by the local Prince-Bishops. Among the historic dwellings in Eichstätt, there are also the guestroom of the St. Walpurgis Convent and the Episcopal building once used as a convalescence facility. The next stops are Neuburg a.d. Donau, with the Renaissance palace that also houses the Bavarian State Painting Collections and Baroque Flemish Paintings, and the hamlet of Bergen. Here, the ancient chaplain’s home (Alte Kaplanei) has been turned into an accommodation facility. Our way crosses the wide and now dry valley where once the Danube flew and leads to Treuchtlingen and Weißenburg i.Bay. Here, it is possible to stay in an old building with half-timbered structure in the heart of the old town. The first tour ends in Gunzenhausen, a small town along the ancient Roman Limes (a UNESCO World Heritage site).

The second itinerary focuses on "History & Spirituality" (Geschichte & Spiritualität). It starts in Neuburg a.d. Donau and stops in Monheim, Wemding, Pappenheim and Eichstätt. From here, it reaches Greding, Berching and Beilngries with their medieval walls and towers. Of course, also in this case it is possible to stay overnight in many dwellings with the certification "Zu Gast im Denkmal" that have preserved their most authentic historical features. Dietfurt is the last leg of this itinerary, with the mill museum "Altmühltaler Mühlenmuseum" and the last still working mill in the whole Altmühl valley. The prestigious certification "Zu Gast im Denkmal" has been bestowed also on this last building, just as on other museums, information points and gastronomic facilities. Of course, among historical dwellings there are also the traditional houses of the Jura region. These imposing buildings are characterized by quarry-stone walls and roofs covered with slate scales that are typical of this region. These Jura houses have been renewed with great passion and skilfulness both in the country and in the towns, and nowadays they welcome those who want to stay overnight in an extremely fascinating historical dwelling.

FOR PICTURES AND MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

INFORMATION CENTRE 
INFORMATIONSZENTRUM NATURPARK ALTMÜHLTAL
Notre Dame 1 / D-85072 Eichstätt
Phone no. 0049-(0)8421-98760 / Fax 0049-(0)8421-987654
E-mail: info@naturpark-altmuehltal.de
Internet: www.altmuehltal.com