Discover Pfrungen: Moorland and Local History

Pfrungen lies on the edge of the Pfrunger Ried, considered the second-largest moorland area in southwestern Germany. The moorland shapes the area’s landscape. From the holiday village above the settlement, the view stretches across the vast Pfrunger Ried to the Swabian Alb and the Alpine range. The landscape and local history offer two different perspectives on Pfrungen: the Ried represents the natural environment, while the chapel and parish church reflect the history of religious architecture. When planning your trip, you can consider the landscape and local history as distinct focal points.

The Chapel of St. Mary and the Parish Church in Pfrungen

The Chapel of St. Mary near Pfrungen is a village or local chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It has undergone extensive renovation. Its windows are designed in the Baroque style; a Neoclassical ceiling painting was discovered during renovation work. Remains of walls and a Romanesque window niche suggest that a chapel already stood at this site in the 11th century. The Chapel of St. Mary is on the road from Pfrungen toward Pfullendorf, right at the turnoff to Illmensee.

The Parish Church of St. Sebastian in Pfrungen is listed in the monument register as a special cultural monument. It originally dates from the 11th century and was rebuilt in 1615. Its timeline differs from that of the Chapel of St. Mary: for St. Sebastian, the key date is the 1615 reconstruction, while the remains of walls and Romanesque window niche at the Chapel of St. Mary suggest that a chapel stood at that site in the 11th century. The two churches thus bring together a dated building history and evidence of a possible predecessor building.

Hiking and Cycling in the Wider Destination of Wilhelmsdorf

In the wider destination of Wilhelmsdorf, the municipality lies on the edge of the Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried, considered the second-largest moorland area in southwestern Germany. You can explore the Ried independently on four hiking trails; the Naturschutzzentrum in Wilhelmsdorf is both the starting point and the destination. The center also offers guided hikes through the Ried. Ask there about current packages before joining a guided tour. Wilhelmsdorf is also an important stop on the Oberschwaben-Allgäu long-distance cycling route. The main difference between hiking independently and joining a guided tour is whether you explore the Ried on your own or with a guide; on the cycling route, Wilhelmsdorf serves as a stop along the way.

Cultural Sites in Wilhelmsdorf

Cultural sites in Wilhelmsdorf include St. Wendelin’s Chapel, located on the grounds of the Museum of Rural Crafts and Culture. In September 1993, it was blessed by Dean Heinz Leuze of the Catholic Deanery of Ravensburg. The meeting hall of the Evangelical Brethren Congregation stands in the middle of the square Saalplatz. St. Anthony’s Church, inaugurated in Wilhelmsdorf in 1999, features modern murals. The years refer to different events: 1993 to the blessing of St. Wendelin’s Chapel and 1999 to the inauguration of St. Anthony’s Church.

For the wider travel overview: Wilhelmsdorf.