Emerkingen: Church Art and Roman Tower
Accommodation in Emerkingen
Emerkingen combines sacred art with another specific visitor attraction: the Roman Tower. If you are looking for a hotel here, you can first consider your local cultural interests and then include other attractions in the Alb-Donau district. The following information will help you distinguish between art, architectural history and outdoor activities according to their respective focuses.
Art in St. James the Greater Parish Church
St. James the Greater Parish Church houses a late Gothic Madonna by the Master of Dornstadt, dating from 1430. A Baroque cross from the 18th century is located on the left choir wall. The choir also contains a Crucifixion group, a copy made in 1955 of an altar by Matthias GrĂĽnewald. Ceiling paintings depicting scenes from the Gospels complete the furnishings. There is also a rare 19th-century Holy Sepulchre image depicting the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The works span the period from a late Gothic Madonna to 20th-century art. As a rare depiction of the Resurrection, the Holy Sepulchre image introduces a distinct subject; the Gospel paintings complement the individual works on the ceiling. Together, they form a church art collection that can be explored both by century and by the religious themes depicted.
The Roman Tower: Visits by Prior Arrangement
The Roman Tower can be visited by prior arrangement with the municipal administration; visits must be registered through the Emerkingen town hall. Contact the town hall in advance to arrange your visit, and do not plan to visit the tower without an appointment. Ask about the details of the visit when registering and confirm the arrangements before you go. This makes the required prior arrangement part of your travel planning.
Cultural History in the Alb-Donau District
The Alb-Donau district also offers distinct cultural attractions with a range of historical focuses. Hohle Fels Cave near Schelklingen is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the findspot of the “Venus of Hohle Fels” and the “Geierknochenflöte” (Vulture-bone flute); both finds are about 42,500 years old. In Blaustein, the Neolithic village of Ehrenstein is part of the transnational serial UNESCO World Heritage site “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps.”
Those interested in monastery architecture will find further examples from different periods in the Alb-Donau district. Blaubeuren Monastery was founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1085; today, it consists mainly of Gothic buildings dating from 1466 to 1510. The former Premonstratensian abbey of Obermarchtal stands directly above the Danube. Its monastery complex acquired its present form between 1686 and 1795. These examples offer a comparison between prehistoric sites and later religious buildings.
Hiking and Cycling in the Alb-Donau District
The Alb-Donau district is part of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve. There are 20 Ice Age Trails for day hikes, ranging from 6 to 14 kilometers. The family-friendly Ice Age Traces are shorter, at 1 to 6 kilometers; the Reflection Trail is intended for multi-day hikes. This makes it easy to distinguish between the options by length and intended tour format.
Cycling routes also vary considerably in distance: the “Ice Age Valleys” route is 75 kilometers long, while the “Berg Bier Tour” is 115 kilometers. The “Albtäler” cycle route covers 186 kilometers and has a four-star rating. Those comparing hiking and cycling options will find specific information about route lengths and tour types; the routes mentioned are in the Alb-Donau district.
Discover more destinations: Ballendorf, Laichingen, Schelklingen, Ă–llingen, BerghĂĽlen, Illerrieden, Obermarchtal, Langenau
Go to the main travel overview: Alb-Donau district.
