Habach: Abbey History, Church Art and Village Traditions

Habach combines a historic village centre with recurring festivals and natural landscapes. If you are looking for a hotel in Habach, you can plan your stay around what matters most to you: would you like to explore the former collegiate town and its churches, plan around a festival date, or spend time outdoors? The local attractions can help you choose when to travel. For your planning, check public transport connections and the specific date of any festival.

Village Centre and Abbey History

The protected Habach village centre ensemble comprises the central area of the former collegiate town, situated along the main road. Six larger buildings along the road can be identified as former canon’s houses. The former Altwirt at Hauptstraße 5 is also part of the village’s history: this listed former inn with guest accommodation dates from 1626. The building was renovated in the early 18th century and again in the second half of the 19th century. Its former uses and construction dates offer several distinct points of reference in the historic village centre.

Churches and Architectural Styles

The present-day Baroque parish church of St Ulrich was built between 1662 and 1668; on 14 October 1668, it was consecrated by Kaspar Zeiler, auxiliary bishop of Augsburg. The high altar was created by Weilheim artist Ambros Degler. The altarpiece was painted in 1681 by Murnau painter Simon Bernhard. It depicts St Ulrich and the Battle of Lechfeld. The building and painting therefore belong to different historical periods. Southwest of the church lies Ulrichsbrunnen, considered one of the oldest St Ulrich’s wells in the Diocese of Augsburg.

A different architectural style can be seen in the listed Mesnerhaus at Hofbichlweg 2, formerly known as the Moserhaus. It is a Werdenfels farmhouse of the Mittertenn type: the living quarters are on the left and the stable on the right. This spatial arrangement is part of the description of this building type and adds a rural building to the history of the former collegiate town.

Another church stop is in Dürnhausen, within the municipality of Habach but outside the village centre. The Catholic filial church of St Martin has a Romanesque nave dating from 1063. The chancel and tower date from the 15th century; the church was Baroqueised around 1670. This makes it possible to distinguish the construction periods of the nave, chancel and tower.

The historic village tour runs along Hauptstraße, beside the Heubach and over Kirchhofbichl. It connects several named areas of Habach through the theme of local history.

Landscape and Time Outdoors

The municipality of Habach has natural wetlands with moors, litter meadows, ponds and shore zones. In the Habach fields, Wiesleitenweiher is one of the ponds noted for its natural character and rich biodiversity. Koppenbergweiher is within walking distance of the village centre. Habach also offers places to swim in summer. Water quality and local conditions can change; check the current situation before swimming.

Festivals, Dining and Getting There

Every five years, the Habach carnival procession makes its way through the streets on Shrove Tuesday. The traditional Thanksgiving festival, with its procession, is also held every five years. The Habach Easter bonfire is lit on the Hinterfeld every year on Easter Sunday evening. The different schedules make checking the specific calendar important when planning your trip. If you are travelling for a festival, check the date for the relevant year.

Eichbichl-Stüberl serves traditional Bavarian cuisine and hearty snacks, and has a beer garden. Opening days and hours may change, so check the latest information before visiting.

Habach can be reached via the A95 and B472, as well as by public transport. If travelling by bus or train, check the latest connections in advance.

Discover more destinations: Antdorf, Sindelsdorf, Obersöchering, Rottenbuch, Peißenberg, Weilheim in Upper Bavaria, Oberhausen, Seeshaupt.

For the broader travel overview: Weilheim-Schongau.