Location: Kelheim
Top Things to do in Kelheim
The 10 Best Things to Do in Kelheim, Germany
Kelheim is a town and municipality in Bavaria, Germany. It is the capital of the district Kelheim and is situated at the confluence of Altmühl and Danube. Kelheim has a population of around 15,750.
Restaurants in Kelheim
1. Donaudurchbruch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
Reviewed By GreenKona
We arrived quite late in Kelheim and only got on the last ship tour. Unfortunately, we could not leave the ship and visit the nearby Monastery with one of the oldest Breweries. Still, we enjoyed the tour and admired the beautiful nature. The ships serve snacks and drinks (monastery beer as well) and the staff was very friendly. Along the river one could see many hikers an cyclists, so next time we might also want to combine ship and bike ride.
2. Monastery Weltenburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 323 reviews
3. Befreiungshalle Kelheim
Overall Ratings
4 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By DDore - South Easton, Massachusetts
Just because people are keeping this set up to date, is not a reason to miss this view. It is understandable that Austrians, German, and Hungarians were not fans of Napoleon. His armies ravaged Europe and caused innumerable casualties. This Ludwig the Mad monument celebrates Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of the Nations. Ludwig might have ben mad, but he knew a great view when he saw it. high above theDanube and the villages and farmlands stands this monument to the Liberation of Germany. There is also a very good gift store and free bathrooms.
4. Saint Georg Abbey Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By on_the_go_98765 - Tucson
Inside this German Baroque delight are a couple of unexpected and unusual sights. The first is St. George astride his horse on top of the altar, fighting a dragon (of course) and defending a fair maiden from said dragon. St. George has the red Benedictine cross on is chest; it became the model for the Red Cross relief organization of today.
Most times churches feature a crucifix or something relating more directly to Jesus. In this case, the dragon represents the devil and the maiden represents innocence. It is the classic good vs. evil battle for souls.
Statues were enactments for the benefit of the people; stories were told through these representations.
The second unusual and unexpected sight is what looks to be long lines of white spray foam insulating material or squishy casings of human intestines, creeping all along the ceiling and up the sides of pictures. This is supposed to be a depiction of twisty clouds but it seriously doesn't resemble clouds in any way. It was the most unrealistic depiction of clouds I have seen, outside of outrageous modern art.
The recent iteration of the Abbey Church we see on tour was built in the 1700's It is Baroque, and the Asam Brothers were the architects (they painted themselves into some of the scenes). The original monks (600 AD) were Scottish and Irish; they established a cloister here on Roman temple ruins. The Abbey had to be continually rebuilt during its long tenure because of the constant flooding.
Some other not-to-miss sights are the Santa Maria ship picture; it is arriving in the New World. Indians are on the shore, eyeing this with skepticism. On board, monks are coming but devils (with green wings) are trying to prevent the boat from landing.
The church is light, bright, and 180 degrees in the opposite direction from other Medieval Churches seen on the trip. Uplifting, joyous, a celebration, these all come to mind when thinking of the visual impact the church made upon us.
The ceilings and walls are dessert for the eyes. The artwork is a collection of timeless treasures. A good guide will help make this all the more meaningful.
5. Klosterl im Bruderloch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By vakantiejozef - Olen, Belgium
Hermit Antonius von Siegenburg built in 1450 a small chapel around a rock (Monolithic church or rock-hewn church) in honor of St. Nicholas. With the support of Dukes Albert III and Louis IX (also known as Louis the Rich), as well as some bequests, he built a larger church, ramaprted the monastery and thus arose "Bruderloch" in Traunthal. In 1457, the Hermitage was restituted to its rightfull owners, the Franciscan order, who had established a larger monastery in Kelheim and only used the Hermitage as a summer retreat. The “Höhlenkirche” was built in 1603 as well as the small chapel renovated. Due to the secularisation of Bavaria the “Klösterl” was abrogated in 1803 and became state property. The roof of the Church is the far-overhanging part of the rock. The walls of the ancient Monolithic church are decorated with three frescoes, however, the inner part of the exterior wall has been very damaged by weather influences.
6. Donautor
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By vakantiejozef - Olen, Belgium
Once the port had four secondary loop-turrets, still preserved is the defensive Tower, this century above the southern opening two stone lions were attatched dating back to early 15th century and most likely a remnant of the old Castle. On the north side the municipal coats of arms as fresco, it dates back to the period around 1280 and is a reprint from 1292.
7. Kreuzweg Weltenburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By vakantiejozef - Olen, Belgium
Since the first monks felt the archaic power of this mountain a Calvary was established which leads from the monastery to the chapel: a meandering Avenue bordered with ancient deciduous trees along which the 14 limestone 18th century stations of the cross depicting the suffering of Jesus lead to the Frauenbergkapelle, its fresco paintings were refreshed in 1930. Of this renovation 2 have remained, another re-painting at the other stations (which to me thus have lost all their charm).
8. Alter Kanalhafen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By vakantiejozef - Olen, Belgium
Past a construction period of 11 years the former Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal opened in 1846. The walled in canal contained lock number 1, the dock with dock crane, warehouse and gate house. The 600 meters longitude construction work has been included in the list of protected monuments of civil engineering, remains functional and therefore can be used at any given time.
9. Donauroute 1 Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By ChiefClancyWiggum - Springfield, Illinois
The donauroute I is a easy, little hiking trail leading from the Weltenburg monastery to Kelheim.
The trail is about 7 kilometer long, offers several riverside benches, a nice view of the monastery & passes by "Klosterl im Bruderloch" & the " Monolithic Church".
So if you need a little postprandial/ after-dinner walk or simply don't want to take the boat, then go for it.
10. Monolithic Church
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By vakantiejozef - Olen, Belgium
Part of a mololite church, adorned by frescoes. Partly rock / partly built. On the location of the monolite Chapel of St. Nicholas (built in 1405 by hermit Antonius von Siegenburg) in 1603 this "Höhlenkirche" was built, this monolite Church belongs to one of the few monolite churches of Europe with a natural roof (formed by a far-overhanging rock). In its interior the walls are decorated with frescoes, the fresco residue at the inner part of the outer wall are considerably damaged due to weather conditions.
