In Burggen, living village traditions meet church art, historic architecture and well-marked circular hiking trails. The surrounding Lech landscape is also part of the destination’s character. Two questions are especially useful when planning your trip: Which aspects of local history would you like to discover, and would you like your stay to revolve around an event date? Burggen offers a range of possibilities, from the historic ensemble on St.-Anna-Straße to the annual Eligius ride.
Village History and Historic Routes
Burggen lies on the historic Roman road Via Claudia Augusta. It once served long-distance trade between Augsburg, Verona and Venice. The town is therefore linked to a far-reaching history of trade, while other sights offer a more direct glimpse into the village’s development.
One example is the listed architectural ensemble on St.-Anna-Straße. It was laid out according to a plan after the devastating major fire of 1795. The farmhouses built at the time were all consistently oriented with their gables facing east. This uniform orientation is a striking architectural feature of the ensemble. If you are interested in local history, you can focus on the planning that followed the fire; the historic Via Claudia Augusta adds the road’s former role in long-distance trade to the picture.
Circular Routes, Cycling and the Lech Surroundings
Burggen has numerous well-marked, easy-to-walk circular trails for hiking and cycling. For cycling trips, there is more to explore beyond the village: the region offers varied routes for leisurely outings as well as sporting challenges.
The Lech landscape is another consideration when planning your trip. Burggen is close to the Litzauer Schleife nature reserve and the Lech’s original course. The LechErlebnisWeg also runs through the surrounding area, following the Lech through the landscape.
Churches in Burggen and Tannenberg
Some of the figures on the high altar and the two side altars in the parish church of St. Stephan in Burggen were created by Anton Sturm of FĂĽssen. This offers a distinct way to explore local art: alongside the architecture and village ensembles, the focus here is on individual sculptural works.
Tannenberg, a district of Burggen, is another church destination. The parish church of St. Oswald was rebuilt from the ground up in 1827 after the older church was demolished because it had fallen into disrepair. The church also contains ceiling paintings created in 1825 by Nikolaus Augner of Schongau. The choir depicts the Last Supper; in the nave, Saint Oswald is shown interceding.
Events and Accommodation
The Eligius ride takes place every year on the first Sunday of Advent. After the horses are blessed at the parish church, the procession passes through the village and by the Chapel of St. Eligius; the exact event schedule may vary. The Rosstag brings the preserved rural cultural heritage back to life every three years. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these dates, check the event details in advance.
Gasthaus Fichtl in Burggen offers accommodation and has a motorhome pitch. Check the availability of both the accommodation and pitch before your trip. This lets you plan your overnight stay around your intended visit to Burggen and, if suitable, an event date.
For the broader travel overview: Bernbeuren.
