Discover Gessertshausen

If you’re looking for a hotel in Gessertshausen, you can plan your stay around the cultural and nature-related attractions in the district of Oberschönenfeld. These include the Swabian Museum of Local History, the art forum and the three-kilometre-long meditation trail; the traditional Christmas market is a seasonal occasion to visit. Whether exhibitions, religious points of interest along a trail or an Advent event are what you’re looking for can help guide your planning from the outset.

Culture in Oberschönenfeld

In 1984, the District of Swabia established the Swabian Museum of Local History in former farm buildings belonging to the Cistercian Abbey of Oberschönenfeld. The buildings’ former use provides a tangible link to the history of the abbey. The Oberschönenfeld Art Forum presents themed exhibitions featuring works by one or more artists. The media range from painting, drawing and printmaking to sculpture, photography, video art and installation. The art forum also regularly displays works from the art collection of the Oberschönenfeld Museum.

The two exhibition themes differ in focus: themed exhibitions each centre on a particular subject, while the regular displays feature works from the museum’s collection. A bookable guided tour about Oberschönenfeld’s eventful history combines a walk around the grounds with a subsequent visit to an exhibition. If you plan to take part, check the date and booking availability in advance.

Meditation trail and other visitor activities

The three-kilometre-long meditation trail leads from the Cistercian Abbey to Weiherhof, through the Schwarzach Valley and along the edge of the forest. Twelve wooden steles bearing brief words for reflection connect the abbey church with the Chapel of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows along the way. Together, these landmarks and the steles offer both geographical and thematic points of reference for your plans.

Near the playground in Oberschönenfeld, fallow deer and roe deer can be fed in an enclosed area. If you’re interested in animals, you can consider this as a separate focus alongside the museum, art forum and trail.

The Christmas market as a seasonal occasion

The Oberschönenfeld Christmas market traditionally takes place on the third weekend of Advent. It features local arts and crafts and activities for families and children. Its regular place in the Advent calendar gives your trip a seasonal focus distinct from the museum, art and trail themes. If you’re planning for a particular year, check the specific event dates before booking.

More to explore in the wider Augsburg destination

The wider Augsburg destination offers additional nature and art experiences. The Bonstetten LandArt Art Trail is a 5.65-kilometre circular hiking route where artist Hama Lohrmann personally explains his sculptures. The Augsburg district has a well-developed cycling network. The Stauden, Holzwinkel and Reischenau regions are part of the Augsburg – Western Forests Nature Park. Westwood Alpacas offers regular alpaca hikes and excursions through the nature park.

The two trails can also be compared using specific details: the meditation trail in Oberschönenfeld is three kilometres long and leads from the Cistercian Abbey to Weiherhof; the Bonstetten LandArt Art Trail is 5.65 kilometres long and forms a circular route. Besides their different lengths, the routes also differ in form: you can compare the stated endpoints of the meditation trail with a route explicitly described as circular.

Discover more destinations: Altenmünster, Horgau, Stadtbergen, Nordendorf, Thierhaupten, Langerringen, Fischach, Adelsried

Go to the wider travel overview: Augsburg.