With the Ries Crater, formed by a meteorite impact, Geopark Ries is one of the tourist attractions in the district of Donau-Ries. There are several ways to explore its geology: through information panels, views of the crater structure and exhibitions that illustrate the Ries event with specific exhibits. The area is also home to towns and buildings that offer insights into other chapters of regional history.
Understanding the Ries Crater
The KĂĽhstein Geopark educational trail explains the processes involved in the meteorite impact 14.5 million years ago at eight information panels. From Buchberg, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Ries and its inner and outer crater rim. The scale of the landscape also becomes clear across the wider region: the Ries Crater basin is about 25 kilometres in diameter, and its crater rim is up to 150 metres high.
In Wemding, the Geopark information centre focuses on the landscape: several display panels provide an overview of the places where the crater structure is particularly easy to see. The history of its geological interpretation is also brought to life. Using the nearby Otting quarry and the Suevite rock studied there, the information centre explains how the Nördlingen Ries was identified as a meteorite crater.
Wemding: Legends Trail and pilgrimage
The Legends Trail begins at Johannisweiher in Wemding. Its eleven informative panels, developed with scientific research, cover geology, history and stories. The range of topics thus connects the formation of the landscape with historical and narrative perspectives.
The Maria BrĂĽnnlein pilgrimage basilica is a landmark of a different cultural tradition. As the number of pilgrims grew, the Rococo church was built between 1748 and 1782 to plans by Franz Joseph Roth. Its altar of grace is designed as a fountain altar and includes the miraculous Virgin Mary by Johann Joseph Mayr, created in 1755. Ernst Steinacker made the altar table with its fountain basin in 1953. Pope John Paul II elevated the basilica to the status of a Basilica minor in 1998; around 150,000 pilgrims visit it each year.
Nördlingen: City walls and museums
Nördlingen’s medieval city wall is fully intact and can be walked in its entirety. The town museum adds to this view of the city with a collection more than 150 years old, displayed across four floors. Topics include the lives and faith of Nördlingen’s residents, the changes of the Reformation era, the Thirty Years’ War and the 1634 Battle of Nördlingen. A model made from around 6,000 tin soldiers brings the battle to life.
The RiesKraterMuseum explores the asteroid impact that created the Nördlingen Ries, as well as its cosmic background and effects that continue to this day. Meteorites, fossils and a piece of genuine lunar rock are displayed alongside information panels and multimedia exhibits. The exhibition is housed in a carefully restored medieval barn building dating from 1503. Geological topics are thus presented in a historic building, while the museum remains focused on the formation and impact of the Ries event.
Harburg Castle and the Fugger family
A tour of Harburg Castle conveys almost 900 years of history through its various architectural features and rooms. These include the Baroque castle church, arrow slits, prison cells, gates and towers. The different elements provide the historical setting for the tour.
In Donauwörth, the Fugger House was formerly the residence of Anton Fugger, the imperial administrator. Today, its first floor houses a permanent exhibition on the history of the house. Tours on the subject of the Fugger family can be arranged on request through the town’s tourist information office. Check availability before your trip.
There are a range of themes to choose from when planning your trip: explore the geological origins and landscape through information panels, the information centre and the museum; discover urban history in Nördlingen’s walls and collections; and find special insights into pilgrimage and the history of the Fugger family in Wemding and Donauwörth. When looking for accommodation, these themes can be a useful starting point.
Discover more destinations: Wemding, Oettingen in Bayern, Nördlingen, Ehingen am Ries, Donauwörth, Rain, Marxheim, Mertingen, Wallerstein, Asbach-Bäumenheim, Oberndorf am Lech, Ries, Harburg, Monheim, Kaisheim, Fremdingen, Tapfheim.
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