The parish church of St. Peter and Paul took on its present form in 1498: it was enlarged and redesigned in the Gothic style. Other local options include a circular hike starting at Pöttmes market square and signposted trails in the Handzell district. This gives you a range of local starting points for planning your trip, from architectural history to activities by the water.

A Church with Several Building Phases

During the Gothic redesign, the tower was raised and given a tall spire. A large choir with external buttresses was also added. The church interior was laid out as a basilica, with a tall central nave and two lower side aisles. The height difference between the central nave and side aisles is therefore part of the described architectural design.

The furnishings also reflect a later period: at the end of the 19th century, the Baroque furnishings were replaced with Neo-Gothic ones. The Neo-Gothic furnishings were donated by the Barons of Gumppenberg, who were the church’s patrons; the Neo-Gothic high altar was erected in 1896. The parish church underwent extensive renovation from 2022 to 2025. The roof structures and masonry were renovated, and the west façade was adorned with historic stucco elements. The Gothic redesign, Neo-Gothic furnishings and completed renovation thus form clearly distinct phases in the building’s history.

Pöttmes Gate Tower, also known as the West Gate, dates from the 15th century. The gate tower is associated with a white stork’s nest that has been continuously occupied for decades.

Circular Trails and Time by the Water

The Three Castles Tour is a 9.4-kilometre circular hiking trail that starts at Pöttmes market square. The listed Pöttmes Castle and St. John’s Chapel are located there. This means two named buildings are situated at the starting point of the tour, while its distance also provides a concrete reference for planning your hike. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Various circular hiking trails are signposted in the Handzell district. They offer another local starting point alongside the specifically measured tour from the market square. Check the route details and current conditions locally. The Mandlacher lido recreation area has a bathing lake, sunbathing lawn, kiosk and children’s playground. Check current local conditions before your trip, especially if you plan to visit the kiosk.

At Mandlach Lake in Handzell, in the Pöttmes market municipality, the district youth council manages a youth campsite that youth groups can rent. This is separate from the facilities at the recreation area: the campsite is described as a rental option for youth groups.

More Destinations in the Wider Aichach-Friedberg Travel Region

The wider Aichach-Friedberg travel region offers distinct cultural and hiking experiences. The Paartal Hiking Trail follows the middle reaches of the Paar River from Aichach to Gut Schenkenau in the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district and is 36.8 kilometres long in total. In Aichach, the Wittelsbach Museum is housed in the Lower Gate; the town museum vividly recounts the town’s history. Aichach’s historic old town has also changed little over the centuries. These regional suggestions complement the selection, while the church, gate tower and trails described in the previous sections are all in Pöttmes.

When choosing a destination, you can consider which focus matters most: Pöttmes’s history of architecture, which can be dated; a signposted circular route starting at the market square; or the offerings around Handzell. The longer Paartal Hiking Trail and Aichach’s museums, by contrast, are part of the wider Aichach-Friedberg travel region.

Discover more destinations: Affing, Friedberg, Baar, Kissing, Schiltberg, Kühbach, Petersdorf, Dasing

Back to the wider travel guide: Aichach-Friedberg.