The best gravel rides around Dürnbucher Forst

The cycle path along the Abens near Sittling (a district of Neustadt an der Donau) is a real treat for pleasure cyclists who like it flat and close to nature. You ride through an idyllic meadow landscape. As the area around Sittling and the nearby Bad Gögging is an important refuge for birds, you can often observe storks and herons.

St. George's Monastery Church The first St. George's Monastery Church in Weltenburg is believed to have been consecrated by St. Rupert around 700. A new church, built by the Augustinian Canons Regular who lived in Weltenburg from 1123 to 1328, was consecrated in 1191. During a renovation of the monastery complex beginning in 1714, the monks' living quarters were built first under Abbot Maurus Bächl, followed by the monastery church from 1716 onwards. Like the monastery itself, the new church was built on the site of the previous structure under the direction of master mason Michael Wolf. The detached tower, integrated into the east wing of the monastery, was retained. Due to its location between the monastery's convent buildings and the Frauenberg hill, the church's exterior is rather unassuming compared to the riches within. From the monastery courtyard, only the tower and the oval dome of the central building are noticeable. The main facade faces the west side of the church, towards the monastery courtyard. It is a stone facade with a triangular pediment, atop which sits a figure of Saint Benedict. The wooden church portal is flanked by two pairs of columns, above which is a round-arched window. The main nave has an oval floor plan and, at 19.5 meters long and 14.5 meters wide, is quite small for an abbey church. However, the open dome construction, which is covered by a flat cap at a height of 20 meters, gives the interior an imposing presence. The elaborate artistic design, with its gilded stucco and colorful ceiling and wall frescoes, is also exceptional. The centerpiece of the chancel is the magnificent high altar in the late Baroque style. Its architecture consists of two pairs of twisted columns, in front of which stand Saint Martin (left) and Saint Maurus (right); the latter bears the likeness of the church's patron, Maurus Bächl. Behind the tabernacle, the famous Weltenburg altarpiece rises approximately seven meters high: in the center, the church's patron saint, St. George, on horseback, depicted slaying the dragon. To effectively illuminate this scene, the originally flat-ended chancel was extended eastward in 1720/21 with the addition of an apse featuring three large windows. The frame of the dome's opening is adorned with ornaments, cloud formations, and groups of angels carrying a ring of stars. Between this ring and the dome's parapet, a figure by the architect and artist Cosmas Damian Asam looks down upon the church interior; beside him, in the ceiling fresco, his brother Egid Quirin is depicted. Source: Excerpts from www.wikipedia.de

Weltenburg Abbey Local tradition states that the abbey was founded around 617 by the Irish-Scottish monks Eustasius and Agilus from Luxeuil, following the Rule of Saint Columbanus. This has since been refuted by scholars. In the 8th century, Weltenburg adopted the Rule of Saint Benedict. After the overthrow of the Agilolfing dynasty by Charlemagne in 788, Weltenburg became an imperial abbey. Throughout the 11th century, the abbey's holdings increased through numerous donations. The new church, built in a rectangular shape, was consecrated in 1191. Weltenburg's history during the 14th and 15th centuries was very turbulent, marked by the rule of constantly changing abbots and both ecclesiastical and secular administrators. At the end of the 15th century, the abbey church and the churches of the incorporated parishes were renovated in the Late Gothic style. The convent appears to have survived the Reformation unscathed. During the Schmalkaldic War, the monks were forced to abandon the monastery to escape plundering imperial and Spanish troops. Despite the hardships and pillaging during the Thirty Years' War, Abbot Matthias Abelin left the monastery in sound condition. In 1686, the community joined the newly founded Bavarian Benedictine Congregation. Through extensive construction, the establishment of new businesses, and a school, Abbot Maurus I. Bächl was able to significantly improve the monastery's situation. Under his leadership, the Frauenberg Church, churches in the incorporated parishes, the monastery buildings, and the famous late Baroque abbey church were built. In the course of secularization in Bavaria, Weltenburg Abbey was also dissolved, but on June 1, 1842, it was re-established as a priory of Metten Abbey and on August 25, 1913, it was once again elevated to the status of an abbey. With the help of a substantial endowment, former properties could be repurchased and the monastery buildings renovated. When the Bavarian Benedictine Congregation was revived by Pope Pius IX on February 5, 1858, the first General Chapter was held in Weltenburg. In 1913, Weltenburg was once again elevated to the status of an abbey. Today, the monks of Weltenburg Abbey dedicate themselves to pastoral care and, in their own meeting center, primarily to adult education. The abbey's brewery serves as a significant source of income. Source: Excerpts from www.wikipedia.de / https://hdbg.eu/kloster/index.php/detail/geschichte?id=KS0431

I recommend stopping off for an ice cream or coffee at the Dolce Vita ice cream parlor in Neustadt an der Donau.

It's a beautiful place.

The castle towers imposingly.

It's a beautiful place.

View of the castle and the Danube in the background the city