Germany from A to Z: Ingolstadt

Ingolstadt was first mentioned in 806. A large part of the historical city center with buildings from different eras has been preserved until today. A stroll through the town leads past interesting town houses with baroque facades. From the Scherbelberg, a mountain of rubble from the Napoleonic Wars, you can enjoy a great view over the city.

It took exactly 100 years to build the Gothic cathedral until its completion in 1525. The high roof truss with seven attics one above the other is striking. It is said that 3,800 tree trunks were used for this. Altars, reliefs, portraits, and carvings decorate the interior. Tombs of professors testify to a close connection between church and university in earlier ages.

The Alte Rathaus dates from the 14th century but was redesigned in 1882. From originally four houses, a homogeneous building group in the Neo Renaissance style developed. The interior, on the other hand, is very intricate. Behind the town hall, the Romanesque tower of the St. Moritz church stands out, to the left of which is the Gothic Pfeifturm, a former watchtower.

The Kreuztor Gate is part of the 14th-century town fortifications, some of which have been preserved. The name "Gate of the Cross" stems from the former house for lepers, "To the Holy Cross," which had its entrance at the gate. Today, exhibitions and other cultural events are regularly held here, providing the opportunity to view the emblem of Ingolstadt from the inside.

The New Castle, the foundation stone of which was laid in 1418, replaced the Herzogkasten Old Castle of Ingolstadt. The new fortress was used for defense purposes — 17 richly decorated cannons in the castle courtyard testify to the dimensions of the arsenal at that time. Today the former residence of the Dukes of Bavaria-Ingolstadt houses the Bavarian Army Museum with historical weapons and armor.

The magnificent Late Baroque building was built in 1723 in the style of an orangery used to house the medical faculty of the university. This also includes the anatomy garden, which offered students and teachers illustrative and working material. Today, the Old Anatomy is home to the German Medical History Museum, which traces the history of medicine from Antiquity to the present day.

Seek and ye shall find: The church Maria de Victoria (Asam Church) without forecourt and towers is a hidden jewel of baroque architecture. It is only in the interior that the visitor encounters the splendor of the church built between 1732 and 1736. The monumental ceiling fresco is considered a masterpiece by Bavarian Baroque artist Cosmas Damian Asam. It depicts the incarnation of the Lord.

Because of its strategically favorable location on a river crossing of the Danube and important trade routes, Ingolstadt became the state fortress of the Bavarian army, which underwent various stages of expansion over the centuries. In the 19th century a neo-classical fortress was built, which is partly preserved. A tour with information panels leads to the individual buildings.

The Altmühltal, not far from Ingolstadt, is a river landscape with rocks, wooded ridges, and sunny valley slopes. There are kilometers of cycling and hiking trails, river swimming spots and climbing rocks — in between castles, fortresses, and churches. The region is famous for its fossil wealth. Over 900 different animal and plant species from prehistoric times have been discovered here.