In the heart of Neu-Ulm, at Petrusplatz, the Edwin Scharff Museum brings an art museum and a children’s museum together under one roof. Along with Expressionist sacred architecture, traces of the fortress and paths through green spaces, it offers different ways to shape a stay: art and history, a guided hands-on activity or time outdoors.
Art and hands-on activities at Petrusplatz
The permanent exhibitions at the Edwin Scharff Museum are dedicated to the painter, graphic artist and sculptor Edwin Scharff, who was born in Neu-Ulm, as well as the artist Ernst Geitlinger. The art museum and the children’s museum offer different points of focus in one place. Visitors interested in these artists will find them at the heart of the permanent exhibitions; those who would like to get creative themselves can explore what the children’s museum has to offer.
At Mach-Mit Sundays, visitors of all ages can get creative in the museum workshop under the guidance of the educational team. This offers a different way to engage than viewing the exhibitions: instead of simply looking at works of art, the focus is on making something yourself. Program dates may change, so check the latest schedule before your visit.
Another way to explore art is the digital Neu-Ulm Art Tour, which brings together 32 works of art, places and architectural features across three thematically related routes. Its blend of art, places and architecture gives the tour a broader focus than the permanent exhibitions, which center on two artists. You can choose whether to explore individual artists in depth or discover a range of artworks and places.
Expressionist church and traces of the fortress
St. Johann Baptist in Neu-Ulm is one of Germany’s most important Expressionist sacred buildings. For travelers interested in Expressionist sacred architecture, the church is a cultural attraction in its own right. Neu-Ulm also preserves traces of the Ulm/Neu-Ulm Federal Fortress: about half of the Neu-Ulm section of the complex remains.
The Glacis also connects present-day use with the history of the fortifications. The grounds of the former Ulm Federal Fortress are now a banana-shaped city park in Neu-Ulm. Its shape is a distinctive feature of the park, while its former role as part of the fortress remains relevant to its history. The green spaces thus complement the cultural sights with a different perspective on the city.
Walks and green spaces
Kollmannspark is a pleasant place to stroll around Neu-Ulm’s water tower. The Glacis grounds include a small lakeside stage, a beer garden and a playground immediately next door. Before visiting, check the latest information about the facilities on site.
For a walk along a clearly defined route, consider the easy “Fortress and Danube Views in Neu-Ulm” trail. It runs from Schießhausallee to St. Johann Baptist Church, is 4.30 kilometers long and takes about one hour and one minute. The distance and approximate duration help you plan your time; the route is rated easy. Route details may change, so check the latest information before setting out.
Cycling routes on a larger scale
Two long-distance cycling routes also pass through Neu-Ulm, though they follow different itineraries. The Danube Cycle Path runs through Ulm and Neu-Ulm; the full route is listed as 587 kilometers and has an ADFC four-star rating. The Iller Cycle Path runs from Ulm/Neu-Ulm via Illertissen, Memmingen and Kempten to Oberstdorf. It runs mostly away from road traffic and is listed as 146 kilometers long. These distances describe the respective cycling routes, not a short loop within Neu-Ulm. Lengths and ratings may be revised, so check the latest information when planning a ride.
You can plan at different scales: a museum visit focused on permanent exhibitions, a hands-on Sunday that depends on the schedule, a walk along a specified route or a chance to explore Neu-Ulm as part of longer cycling routes. When looking for accommodation in Neu-Ulm, consider which of these activities you would like to shape your stay.
Discover more destinations: Burlafingen, Buch, Vöhringen, Weißenhorn, Altenstadt, Illertissen, Elchingen, Senden
Go to the overview of destinations: Neu-Ulm.
