Asbach-Bäumenheim offers a variety of attractions: the Antonius Chapel tells the story of its construction, the tree trail in Schmutterwald leads visitors to native trees and shrubs, and Hamlar Quarry Lake is a place for swimming and recreation. The Via Claudia Augusta cycling route also passes through the municipality. Nearby, the former Roman fort of Burghöfe, south of Mertingen, adds another historical destination.
Chapel, Forest Trail and Swimming Lake in Asbach-Bäumenheim
At the Antonius Chapel, two construction details can be distinguished: the three-sided enclosed choir dates to the 15th century, while construction of the clearly set-apart nave began in 1687. Three altars and some of the ceiling paintings also date from the construction period. The architecture and furnishings offer different ways to appreciate the chapel: the shape of the choir, the separate nave structure and the historic works of art.
The tree trail in Schmutterwald offers a different way to experience the surrounding area. It invites visitors to learn about native trees and shrubs. Hamlar Quarry Lake is a swimming lake with a sunbathing lawn and beach volleyball court in the Hamlar Quarry Lakes recreation area. The forest trail and lake offer distinct experiences: woodland vegetation in one place, swimming and sports in the other. If you are planning a specific day at the lake, check the current terms of use.
The Via Claudia Augusta also passes through the municipality of Asbach-Bäumenheim, making it relevant to cycling travellers. It offers a travel connection distinct from the local attractions. Nearby, south of Mertingen, the former Roman fort of Burghöfe—also known as Submuntorium—stands on a protected promontory. This historic site adds another explicitly former building to the area’s historical context.
More Themed Destinations in Donau-Ries
In the wider Donau-Ries travel region, the district describes the Ries Geopark, with the Ries Crater formed by a meteorite impact, as a tourist attraction. The Kühstein Geopark Trail explains the impact processes that took place 14.5 million years ago at eight information panels. From Buchberg, visitors can enjoy a panorama of the Ries and its inner and outer crater rims. The trail and viewpoint offer two different perspectives: an explanation of geological processes and a view of the crater’s structure.
The RiesKraterMuseum presents the asteroid impact that created the Nördlinger Ries, as well as its cosmic background and effects that continue to this day. The exhibits include meteorites, fossils and a real piece of moon rock; information panels and multimedia displays complement them. The museum presents these subjects in a painstakingly renovated medieval barn dating from 1503.
In Nördlingen, the town’s history is linked to a surviving historic structure: the medieval town wall is completely preserved and fully accessible on foot. The town museum explores the lives and beliefs of people in Nördlingen, the changes of the Reformation, the Thirty Years’ War and the 1634 Battle of Nördlingen. Its collection, which is more than 150 years old, spans four floors; a model of the battle features around 6,000 tin soldiers. Another way to explore history is a tour of Harburg Castle, where the Baroque castle church, loopholes, prison cells, gates and towers bring nearly 900 years of castle history to life.
In Wemding, the pilgrimage basilica of Maria Brünnlein offers another glimpse into history. It was built between 1748 and 1782 to designs by Franz Joseph Roth, as the number of pilgrims grew, and Pope John Paul II raised it to the status of a minor basilica in 1998. The miraculous altar is a fountain altar featuring a statue of the Virgin Mary by Johann Joseph Mayr, dating from 1755; Ernst Steinacker created the altar table with its fountain basin in 1953. Around 150,000 pilgrims visit the basilica each year. Along Wemding’s Legends Trail, a total of eleven informative panels, researched and prepared scientifically, cover geology, history and stories.
Donauwörth also adds to the region’s range of themes: the Fugger House was the former residence of the imperial steward Anton Fugger and now houses a permanent exhibition about the house’s history on the first floor. Guided tours on the Fugger family can be arranged on request through the town’s tourist information office. If you are planning such a tour, confirm availability in advance.
Things to Consider When Planning Your Trip
If you are primarily interested in the town’s architectural history, the Antonius Chapel is a distinctive point of interest. The tree trail and quarry lake appeal to different nature and leisure interests, while the Via Claudia Augusta offers a cycling connection. Destinations across the wider Donau-Ries region range from geology to urban and religious history, forming a distinct regional focus.
Discover more destinations: Asbach, Wallerstein, Monheim, Harburg, Ries, Nördlingen, Tapfheim, Oberndorf Am Lech.
View the main travel guide: Donau-Ries.
