Rückholz combines surroundings shaped by small ponds with village history, recurring festivals and locally made cheese. There are many small ponds and lakes around the village, accessible on foot or by bike. When planning your trip, it’s worth distinguishing between the bodies of water by their individual character: Some are recommended for swimming and walking, while others stand out mainly for their scenery or the story of how they were formed.
Ponds with Different Characteristics
Grundweiher, at the entrance to the village, is suitable for swimming, walking and relaxing, with nature and mountain views as well. Schwaltenweiher is a large reservoir and also offers opportunities for swimming, walking and relaxing. Luimooser Weiher is also known as a popular pond for swimming and fishing. Visitors interested in how the bodies of water were formed will find that Trollweiher is a glacial marginal lake covering about 7.7 hectares. Neuweiher is a former glacial lake surrounded by forests, fields and meadows. A little way from the village center, Schönewaldweiher is described as a peaceful place to rest and unwind. Rückholz thus offers swimming and fishing alongside bodies of water whose appeal lies in their place in the landscape.
Church and Marian Grotto
St. George’s Parish Church is documented as a church as early as 1465. In 1719, its choir was enlarged to its present size and a new altar was installed. The altar’s design is attributed to the workshop of Dominikus Zimmermann. This attribution is an assessment of the design, not a confirmed authorship. Taken together, the dates offer a brief glimpse into the development of the church interior: the church is documented at an early date, and its choir’s present dimensions date from the 1719 enlargement.
Another historic site is the Marian Grotto, also called the Lourdes Grotto, which was built in Rückholz in 1893. According to local tradition, it is believed to have powers to heal illnesses. This is part of local tradition and should be understood as folklore, not as a medical claim.
Festivals Throughout the Year
The Funkenfeuer bonfire is lit every year on the Sunday after Ash Wednesday. A pile of straw or wood, which can reach up to 30 meters in height, is built with a witch figure on top. Bockbier evenings are also held every year during Lent. The program includes plays, music, Bock beer and party music; program and visitor details may vary. If you’d like to plan your trip around one of these dates, check the specific event dates in advance.
Between July and September, the Rückholz traditional costume association holds village evenings. In good weather, traditional dances are performed in the former schoolyard. The weather is therefore an important factor in planning. The Advent market also follows a regular schedule, but takes place only every two years: it is organized by the Rückholz Friends of Flowers at the end of November. There you’ll find handmade and other locally produced goods, as well as food and refreshments. The selection may vary from one event to the next; check the exact market dates before you travel.
Cheese and Insights into Farming
The factory shop of Milchverwertung Ostallgäu eG (MVO) offers Allgäu cheese specialties and other dairy products. The varieties mentioned include Emmental, Bergkäse and hayflower cheese, as well as Rückholz lemon-pepper cheese, tomato-basil cheese and Alpspitz cheese. At the Lipp farm cheese dairy at Stellebauer, only products made on the farm are sold. The two shops therefore offer different things: a selection of cheeses and other dairy products at the MVO factory shop, and products made on-site at Lipp. As sales details can change, it’s a good idea to check the current selection before visiting.
Farm tours show visitors a dairy farm, petting animals and agricultural machinery. Dates and registration details may vary, so ask about current options in advance. Together with its ponds, church and seasonal events, Rückholz offers several different themes to consider when planning a trip. The bodies of water can be selected according to opportunities for swimming, walking and relaxing, while festivals and tours depend more on the date, weather or registration.
Discover more destinations: Hopferau, Wald.
For the main travel overview: Seeg.
