Discover Adelschlag: Roman Finds, Churches and Trails

Adelschlag is particularly interesting for a stay if you would like to combine local history with time outdoors. Its attractions are tied to specific places: the Villa Rustica in Möckenlohe is a site of Roman archaeology, while churches in Möckenlohe, Ochsenfeld and Pietenfeld preserve works of art and architectural features from different periods. Hiking trails, a themed circular route and opportunities for horse riding add to the picture. When looking for a hotel in Adelschlag, it therefore helps to consider whether you would like to focus mainly on archaeological finds, church art or a hike.

Roman History in Möckenlohe

The Villa Rustica in Möckenlohe was reconstructed over its original foundations in 1993. Objects found there are exhibited on site, allowing the architecture and the finds to be understood as two sides of the same archaeological site. Guided tours of the villa can be booked for one to two hours. The price is available on request, and group size is limited to a maximum of 30 people. If you would like to plan a guided tour, check the current dates and ask about the price.

Churches and Works of Art

The churches each give the cultural focus a distinct character. St. Nicholas in Ochsenfeld was built in the Late Gothic period and preserves several Late Gothic wood carvings, including a figure of Saint Nicholas dating from around 1500. St. Michael in Pietenfeld was built in the Romanesque period; the lower storeys of its church tower date from that time. In Möckenlohe, the Church of the Assumption of Mary preserves parts of the medieval wall surrounding the cemetery as well as a rectangular loophole. Its surviving furnishings also include a massive Early Gothic baptismal font and a Madonna from the early 14th century. The examples thus range from Romanesque architectural features to Late Gothic woodcarving.

Hiking Trails, Circular Route and Nature

Adelschlag lies on the edge of the Pfünzer Forest and offers hiking trails and opportunities for horse riding. The Magistrale Route II is an 18-kilometre themed circular tour between Pietenfeld and Möckenlohe that passes through Adelschlag. The audio guide stations include “Urelefanten-Schädel Findspot, Adelschlag.” One detail is important for finding your way: the Magistrale I, II and III hiking trails are usually signposted only at junctions. Take this into account when planning. The stated length of Route II can help you weigh the scope of this tour against other interests during your stay.

Culture in Eichstätt

In Eichstätt, the Jura Museum focuses its exhibition on fossils from the Solnhofen Plattenkalk; the museum also displays the original Eichstätt specimen of Archaeopteryx. The Willibaldsburg was built in 1355 by Bishop Berthold Burggraf von Zollern and served as the bishop’s residence until 1725. Of the 420-metre-long castle, its walls and bastions, the armoury, the 63-metre-long gate hall and the Gemmingen building with its two towers have survived. In the 1,500-square-metre bastion garden, the Hortus Eystettensis, destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War, was brought back to life after 400 years; visitors can discover many of the original plant species there.

You can shape your choice of stay around different interests: the reconstructed Roman site and its guided tours, the churches in the districts, or the hiking trails and Magistrale Route II. With its museum, castle and garden, Eichstätt offers a cultural point of interest in its own right.

For the broader travel overview: Nassenfels.