Late Celtic settlement on the Rhine
Die Schanz, the approximately 800 m-long main rampart on the southeastern edge of Altenburg, separates the late Celtic oppidum of Altenburg-Rheinau from the hinterland. The oppidum lies on the 233-hectare Schwaben peninsula, which is surrounded by the Rhine. In the 1st century BC, it was one of the most important large late Celtic settlements north of the Alps.
Archaeological finds point to trade, metalworking, and coin minting at the settlement. This evidence broadens the view beyond the fortifications: the site’s history encompasses both its separation from the hinterland and the activities within the settlement. Anyone interested in early settlement forms can view the fortifications at Die Schanz in the context of this larger complex.
Trails with different focuses
The Altenburg Cultural Trail passes through important buildings and places in the village and includes 18 listed stops. These include Die Schanz, St. James’ Church, the Rheinau Bridge, and the Roman Bridge. The trail thus brings together archaeological and architectural themes in one route, although not all the stops share the same historical focus.
The Celtic Circular Trail has a different focus. It is 8.8 km long and takes about two and a half hours to walk. It starts at the village square in Altenburg; at the weir of the Rheinau power plant, the trail crosses the national border and returns to Altenburg via the Rheinau Customs Bridge. Crossing the border is an explicit part of the route. The stated distance and walking time provide a concrete timeframe for this trail, while the Cultural Trail is described by its 18 listed stops.
If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Altenburg, you can plan your stay around this difference: would you like to focus on a trail with a clearly stated distance and walking time, or would you prefer to explore the 18 stops on the Cultural Trail?
Bridges and walking trails
The Volkenbach Bridge, known as the Roman Bridge, was built in 1696. Its use was prohibited in 1770 after its foundations were found to be defective. The ruin was substantially altered by preservation repairs in 1892, 1937/38, and 1966. Its construction date, the ban on its use, and the later repairs mark different stages in its history.
The hiking trail by the Roman Bridge remains an important walking route. The site thus offers a perspective on both the bridge’s construction and preservation history and the route’s importance for hikers.
The Rheinau Bridge is a covered wooden bridge between Altenburg and Rheinau. It was ceremonially reopened in 1988 after several months of renovation work. The Volkenbach Bridge is chiefly associated with its construction date, the ban on its use, and the changes to its ruin; for the Rheinau Bridge, the reopening after renovation is a significant milestone.
St. James: foundation stone and present-day appearance
The foundation stone for the present-day St. James’ Church in Altenburg was laid in 1711 by Abbot Gerold II of Zurlauben. The church was renovated again in 1961, giving it its present-day appearance. The laying of the foundation stone and the church’s current form thus belong to different moments in the village’s history. For a cultural-historical stay, the church complements the themes of the oppidum’s fortifications and the bridges with the development of a religious building over several centuries.
Discover more destinations: Waldshut-Tiengen, Stühlingen, Görwihl, Laufenburg, Dogern, Häusern, Eggingen, Sankt Blasien
Return to the main travel overview: Waldshut.
