The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Schwalberholz

Via Claudia Augusta in

Someone has really put in a lot of effort here.

A lovely little pond not far from the school. Perfect for pausing and briefly forgetting about everyday life.

Monheim Castle appears rather unassuming, but behind its history lies a serious scandal. The building was expanded in its current form in 1806 under the regional judge Count Johann Adam von Reisach. He had the left wing of the castle extended and added a private courtroom. This renovation was primarily driven by a conspicuous desire for self-promotion. The project is alleged to have been illegally financed with proceeds from court cases.

Monheim's elongated market square reveals that the important trade route between Nuremberg and Augsburg once ran through here. The square is framed by historic city gates, which were built around 1340 along with the city wall. The carefully restored buildings of the old town recall a time when Monheim boasted numerous inns, horse-changing stations, and breweries. The town hall is also among the most striking buildings in the town center.

The History of the Dance Hall You can find an overview of the Dance Hall's history over the past centuries here. The current building dates from the 1970s. However, a dance hall can be traced back to this location in the city's history as far back as the Late Middle Ages: Around 1400, the city built a department store in the heart of the economic center. Its exact interior appearance is largely unknown, but according to a later source, it likely featured a large hall that encompassed the entire upper floor. In front of it lay the main road with its surrounding commercial buildings and market squares. Goods were stored and traded there during supra-regional (annual) markets, and meat, grain, and bread were sold centrally on the ground floor. Comparable buildings can be found in other cities. Through storage fees, taxes, and rental income, the Donauwörth department store contributed a significant portion to the city's budget for centuries. At the same time, the department store was a hub for social events in Donauwörth. Due to the celebrations and dances held there, it was named the "Dance House." As in many other cities, it housed the largest hall. Moreover, at the time of its construction, it was the most significant Gothic building in Donauwörth. The city continually undertook maintenance and modernization measures, and changes in its use also necessitated adaptations. Furthermore, the building was partially destroyed several times during wars throughout its history, but was always rebuilt. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Dance House also housed a theater and various schools. The air raids on Donauwörth in April 1945 largely destroyed the Dance House shortly before the end of World War II. The remaining fragments of the outer walls were subsequently demolished during the clearing operations on Reichsstraße. In 1949, as part of the reconstruction efforts, a plan was developed to have a company construct a building with shops, a cinema, and apartments on the vacant lot. Due to a lack of interested parties, the city erected a simple brick building with a cinema and retail space that same year. To create a central town hall, the building was to be expanded upwards. The city council passed a corresponding resolution in 1970. ... Dr. Cathrin Hermann, City Archives Source: https://www.donauwoerth.de/tanzhaus/tanzhaus-historie/

The Minster of Our Lady is a Roman Catholic parish church in Donauwörth. It belongs to the parish community of Donauwörth in the Donauwörth deanery of the Diocese of Augsburg. The site of the present church was previously occupied by St. Ulrich's Church, built in the 11th century. Construction of the current three-aisled, late Gothic hall church began in 1444 under the city architect Hans Knebel. Brick was used as the building material. When a side aisle collapsed in the 13th year of construction, Hans Knebel had to relinquish responsibility for the building to Ulrich Walther of Augsburg, who completed the church. On December 4, 1467, after 23 years of construction, the church was consecrated by Jodok Seitz, Auxiliary Bishop of Augsburg. In 1607, the church was recatholicized. Until 1732, the minster's tower, which houses five bells, was adorned with a Gothic spire. However, this was destroyed twice by lightning strikes and replaced by a low pyramidal roof. In 1938, frescoes were uncovered that presumably date from the time of construction. During the air raids on Donauwörth towards the end of the Second World War on April 11 and 19, 1945, the Minster suffered severe damage. The west facade was ripped open by a high-explosive bomb, the star vaults and tracery windows in the chancel were partially destroyed, the Herrgottsruhe Chapel was completely destroyed, and the Gothic tabernacle was severely damaged. Initial stabilization work was carried out in 1945, and restoration work was carried out by the Siebinger company until 1952. In 1953, the tower was restored, including the removal of the plaster. Exterior renovations took place from 1981 to 1986 and again in 2012. The last interior renovation was carried out from 1987 to 1991; during this time, the high altar with an ambo made of gray shell limestone was created by the sculptor Franz Hämmerle from Windach. The 57-meter-high church tower can be climbed as part of a guided tour, ascending 218 steps to the viewing gallery at the tower keeper's room. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebfrauenm%C3%BCnster_(Donauw%C3%B6rth)

There isn't much left of the house now...