Ratshausen: Church, Chapel and Local History

Local History and Culture in Ratshausen

A church in Ratshausen was built between 1816 and 1818. This date provides a precise historical reference point when exploring the town’s history.

St. Afra Catholic Church is a religious and cultural site in Ratshausen. The Lourdes Chapel is also a cultural site; it is located at the entrance to the town. These two places give cultural orientation specific names and a sense of place. If you are looking for a hotel in Ratshausen, these local references can help you put the cultural focus of your stay into context.

Hiking and Scenery in the Zollernalbkreis

In the wider destination of Zollernalbkreis, the 33-kilometer Schlichem Hiking Trail follows the Schlichem River. It runs from the source near Tieringen, at about 880 m above sea level, to its confluence with the Neckar near Epfendorf, at 484 m above sea level. Small waterfalls, wet meadows and a steep-sided gorge characterize the route. Its length and endpoints help you understand its course; the landscape features show what natural highlights the trail offers.

The Zollernalbkreis has fourteen premium trails: eleven in Albstadt and three in Meßstetten. There are also more than 100 signposted circular hiking trails. This means that, alongside a single 33-kilometer route, there are a variety of regional hiking trails to choose from. Since the number of routes may change as the network is updated, it is worth checking the current selection of tours when planning your trip.

The Zollernalb lies in the western part of the Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark, where the mountains reach their greatest heights. The geological educational trail on Westerberg, above Nusplingen, ends at a hammering site. Other geological natural attractions in the Zollernalb include Zillhausen Waterfall and the Sea of Rocks below the Hörnle. Thus, the wider Zollernalbkreis offers geological topics as a distinct focus alongside its hiking trails.

Culture and Outdoor Activities in the Zollernalbkreis

Another cultural highlight in the wider Zollernalbkreis is Hohenzollern Castle. The present castle is the third fortress on Zollerberg, belongs to the municipality of Bisingen and is located within the boundaries of the district of Zimmern. After its two predecessors were destroyed and fell into disrepair, it was rebuilt between 1850 and 1867. The castle is open to visitors daily and offers a glimpse inside its historic rooms. Its cultural program includes numerous concerts, family days, open-air cinema and exhibitions. Check current visiting hours before your visit.

Cultural trails and themed tours are also part of the regional offer: four stages of the European Martinusweg cultural route cross the Zollernalb. Albguide tours share information about regional wildlife and plant life, as well as history, prehistory, archaeology and geology; booking a tour is recommended. For cycling, leisurely family rides are possible in the Alb foothills, for example around Schömberg Reservoir. The “Hiking Like Everyone Else” offer features a variety of tours that are also suitable for people with disabilities.

Discover more destinations: Albstadt, Tieringen, Dotternhausen, Schömberg, Obernheim, Meßstetten, Jungingen, Dormettingen.

Back to the wider travel overview: Zollernalbkreis.